Hot topics in climate change science
The Australian Government is supporting research into the climate system and climate change through the Australian Climate Change Science Programme.
Over the past decade there have been significant advances in the science of climate change, with Australasian and international scientists making considerable progress in observing and understanding the climate system.
However some aspects of the climate system are not fully understood and generate vigorous debate in the scientific community. This debate, which is often reported in the mainstream media, plays an important role in the development of robust and credible science.
- How reliable are climate models?
- The IPCC climate change scenarios
- How unusual is the late 20th century warming?
- Is there an inconsistency between satellite records of warming and surface measurements?
- Is recent climate change unusual in a geological context?
- Is global warming predominantly due to solar variability?
- Could global warming affect the thermohaline circulation?
- Trends in extreme weather events: Australia and globally, past and future
- What is causing the rainfall declines over southern Australia - ozone, climate variability or climate change?
- Have methane levels stabilised?
- Species extinctions will increase due to global warming
- Abrupt climate change - fact or fiction
These Hot Topics summarise some of the global climate science issues, and what has been resolved or is subject to continued discussion. They also point readers to further information if they want to know more. More information on these topics and new issues will be provided from time to time.
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