ABOUT

The consequences of changes in the Antarctic, including sea-level rise, extreme weather events, alterations to rainfall patterns, and fisheries impacts, will be profoundly costly to Australia. However, the speed and scale of future change remains poorly understood. The Centre will combine new field data with innovative models to revolutionise predictions of the future of the East Antarctic and Southern Ocean.

The objectives of the Centre are:

  • To undertake world-class collaborative research into the effects of climate change on the East Antarctic and the Southern Ocean, spanning ice-ocean-atmosphere-earth-ecosystems and their interactions.
  • To translate our research into benefit by improving projections of future climate change impacts in the Antarctic, and their effects worldwide, in order to aid critical climate change mitigation and adaptation planning decisions for the coming decades and beyond.
  • To conduct research in the Southern Ocean and the Australian Antarctic Territory that leverages Australia’s investments in Antarctic infrastructure; and builds new infrastructure capacity in areas of research need.
  • To make critical first measurements in rarely or never visited regions of the Australian Antarctic Territory, including under ice shelves and at remote rock outcrops and parts of the ice sheet.
  • To train the next generation of Antarctic researchers, and support the career development of a more diverse cohort of research leaders.
  • To strengthen Australia’s research presence in the Antarctic and, together with our international partners, to enhance Australia’s international reputation for Antarctic science excellence.