The Australian Government’s Pacific Climate Change Science Program (PCCSP) has released the most comprehensive research data on the impacts of climate change on the Pacific to date.

 

The peer-reviewed Pacific: Scientific Assessment and New Research report will be presented at this week’s United Nations Climate Change Conference in South Africa.

 

“The research provides clear evidence of how the climate has changed across this region. For example, the past decade has been the warmest on record and ocean acidity levels are continuing to increase in response to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations,” co-editor of the report, the Bureau of Meteorology Dr Scott Power said.

 

According to co-editor, CSIRO’s Kevin Hennessy, the research indicates future decreases in droughts in most parts of the Pacific and decreases in the frequency of tropical cyclones by the end of the century.

 

“We also expect widespread increases in extreme rainfall events, large increases in the incidence of hot days and warm nights, increases in the proportion of tropical cyclones in the more intense categories and continued sea-level rise during this century,” Mr Hennessy said.

 

The full report can be downloaded here