Atmmosphere

Research: Carbon cycle

The dependence on fossil fuel energy sources since the industrial revolution has undoubtedly shaped economic prosperity for the developed world. However, an unfortunate by-product of fossil fuel combustion is the emission of carbon dioxide (CO₂), an important greenhouse gas that is known to influence long-term climatic variations through its ability to absorb infra-red radiation.

Human emissions of CO₂ have resulted in atmospheric levels higher than any period over the last 20 million years. The continued emission of CO₂ will lead to widespread climate change related impacts.

Researchers within the Climate Policy and Carbon Cycle sub-program aim to quantify and understand both the human sources and natural sinks of carbon dioxide with the goal to examine international policies required to bring about mitigation of future climate change.

A particular emphasis is made on understanding Australias CO₂ emissions and its role in the Kyoto Protocol and the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (AP6), which has recently been developed as an alternative.

Direct oceanic effects of elevated atmospheric CO₂ and biogeochemistry (for example ocean acidification or coral reef calcification) are also examined through the use of both observations and mathematical modelling techniques.

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Winner of the 2009 Young Tall Poppy Science Award: Dr Donna Green
Dr Donna Green of CCRC is one of three Science Faculty scholars honoured at the 2009 Young Tall Poppy Awards hosted by the Australian Institute of Policy and Science..

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An addiction that fouls the air

Coal provides nearly 80 per cent of Australia's electricity needs. Not the US, Russia or even China has a bigger coal addiction, despite having vastly more coal reserves than Australia. The Australian Greenhouse Office says emissions from coal-dominated electricity generation rose 50 per cent between 1990 and 2004.

Bali or bust

The Bali Climate Declaration has made the scientific view on emissions targets patently clear. It is now over to the policy makers to give the planet a decent future.

The Big Engine: oceans and weather

Federation Fellow and 2008 Eureka Prize winner, Professor Matthew England of CCRC, on the latest research into the role oceans play on weather.