Author: Alex

Last Thursday, social media star Jamie Curry set off to Antarctica, courtesy of Antarctica New Zealand.  Rhian Salmon, Science Lead for Engagement, explores the relationship between Jamie and the Deep South Challenge.

From a communications perspective, she’s an interesting and bold choice – now twenty, she has been a rising star online since she was 16 years old and has an especially strong following from people like herself – young, social media savvy, and possibly not overly interested in the details of climate science. From the perspective of Antarctica New Zealand, who are rapidly ramping up their social media presence and activity, she’s a great fit – she has 1.3 million followers on You Tube and nearly 10 million followers on Facebook, and most of them are in the 16 to 24-year-old demographic that has been identified as a target audience for their communications.

Find out more about Antarctica New Zealand

So what about the Deep South Science Challenge? Why are we connected with this, and what is our role?

Well, firstly, it’s important to make the point that Jamie is being hosted courtesy of Antarctica New Zealand – her trip was planned long before we got involved. While she’s there, however, she’ll be meeting researchers who are studying atmospheric physics, sea ice processes, and ocean dynamics… all of which are highly relevant to Deep South Challenge research. Information collected in these observational field studies is critical for better understanding key processes in the climate system, which we need in order to make better predictions about future climate, and therefore be able to make more informed climate-related decisions about our future.

The Deep South Challenge models this journey from data to decision-making. The Processes and Observations programme supports research into physical processes that, once better understood, will improve the skill of the New Zealand Earth System Model (NZESM) and hence climate prediction for New Zealand. These improved predictions, in turn, enable us to better understand the Impacts and Implications of climate change for New Zealand. The Vision Mātauranga and Engagement programmes use this information to build capacity so that New Zealanders can make more informed decisions about the future.

Back to Jamie Curry

Many of these climate processes mentioned above are best studied in Antarctica and the southern ocean – where Jamie is right now. When we heard that she was going to the ice, we invited her to visit Wellington on her way. While there, she visited the NIWA supercomputer, which is critical for building and running the NZESM; she went on a roadie to Baring Head, to learn more about measurements of CO2; and she stopped off on the way back at GNS Science to see where these air samples are analysed, and also take a peek at ice cores that capture a snapshot of past climate in their frozen bubbles.

It was a big day, and there was a lot of new information to process.  What I hope she takes from the experience, however, is that all the great research that she’s about to see in Antarctica feeds into an enormous community of work happening across the country, all of which, ultimately, helps New Zealanders like Jamie to make more informed decisions about their future.

Follow Jamie’s Antarctica trip on Jamie’s World on YouTube – due for release in January 2017. Find out more about NIWA’s high performance computing facility, the Baring Head Atmospheric testing station, or the work at GNS Science

The Deep South Challenge is delighted to sponsor the adventure of a lifetime for YouTube sensation Jamie Curry to explore and highlight the impacts of climate change for a new generation of decision makers.

Jamie, now 20 and her natural comic style has been a hit with teenagers since she was 16 years old.  Many of her followers are now at university, in the workforce and voting. 

Rhian Salmon, from the Science Leadership Team for the Deep South Challenge says “It’s really exciting that Jamie is going to Antarctica. She’s going to meet some fantastic researchers who study processes happening in the air, ice, and ocean – all of which are critical for improving our understanding of the changing climate. Jamie’s followers will have to live with the reality of climate change in their lifetimes. Hopefully she’ll find new ways to communicate that climate change is real and happening now, and to stimulate a conversation about how we respond to that so that we all can create the best possible future for New Zealanders.”

Jamie and SciFilms journalist Damian Christie head to Antarctica in early November for ten days, including one night in a research container away from the cosy interior of Scott Base, to fully experience life on the ice.   The trip is sponsored by Antarctica New Zealand and the Deep South Challenge and will feature Jamie’s interaction with the environment and meeting NIWA scientists studying the ice, oceans and clouds in Antarctica.

For further information

Jamie’s trip announcement:

• NZ Herald article 

Follow Jamie’s trip:

• Jamie’s World on Youtube
• Jamie’s World on Twitter

Read the full newsletter here

• First Edition – September 2016

The Vision Mātauranga science programme, in partnership with Victoria University of Wellington, is offering two scholarships of up to $20,000 each to support Masters [by thesis] projects. The scholarships have been established to build cross-disciplinary research capability and capacity in global change studies.

In order to meet the emerging demands of increasingly complex social, economic, political and bio-physical system changes facing Māori and wider Aotearoa/New Zealand society, projects are sought that will contribute to the following four Vision Mātauranga programme research themes:

• Understanding climate change – linkages, pressure points and potential responses
• Exploring adaptation options for Māori communities
• Assistance to Māori businesses to aid decision-making and long-term sustainability
• Products, services and systems derived from mātauranga Māori

The closing date for applications is 27 October. 

For more information

For more details about the award including eligibility visit:

• Victoria University Vision Mātauranga – Deep South Challenge Masters Scholarship

For more information about this award and the Vision Mātauranga programme of science please contact:

• Darren-Ngaru KingEmail: [email protected]

Expressions of interest are being sought for the role of Science Leadership Team (SLT) member for the Processes and Observations Programme of The Deep South National Science Challenge.

The Challenge is undertaking and coordinating research that contributes to the Challenge Objective “To understand the role of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean in determining our climate and our future environment” in order to deliver the Challenge Mission “Enabling New Zealanders to adapt, manage risk, and thrive in a changing climate.” To achieve both, substantive and varied research projects are being undertaken across five key Challenge Programmes: Engagement; Vision Mātauranga; Impacts and Implications; Earth System Modelling and Prediction; Processes and Observations

Each programme works with key stakeholders (both researchers and end-users) to develop, implement, and disseminate research findings both within, and across, each programme.  Integration with other climate-relevant National Science Challenges is also a priority. 

The Processes and Observations science leadership position will provide critical science and planning support to the Deep South Challenge.   The successful applicant will draw on extensive knowledge and research networks (both national and international) to ensure the wider research programme contributes to the Deep South objective and mission and will provide support to individual research projects to ensure they are delivered on time, to spec and within budget.  The specific Processes and Observations core projects cover: targeted observation and process informed modelling of Antarctic Sea Ice, assessment and validation of NZESM using modern and historic observations and the influence of the Southern Ocean in a warming world on New Zealand’s climate.  Additional funded contestable projects are in place along with a close working partnership with the Earth System Modelling and Predictions Programme. 

The SLT comprises the Challenge Director, Challenge Manager, and one representative for each of the five Programmes listed above.  The Director, on behalf of the SLT reports to the Deep South Board. Other advisory groups (e.g., Kāhui Maori, Engagement, and Independent Science Panel) provide external advice and counsel to the Challenge at large. 

Up to 0.2 FTE is available for this position, for a two-year term, with opportunity to re-apply thereafter.

This Challenge represents an exciting opportunity in the field of physical climate and other environmental research and SLT members will be central to the successful delivery of the Challenge.

Further information about the Challenge including a copy of the Research and Business Plan can be found on the Challenge website www.deepsouthchallenge.co.nz

For more information regarding this position, contact the Challenge Director, Dr. Mike Williams [email protected], +64-4-386-0389.  

To Apply please submit a current CV together with a cover letter outlining relevant experience and interest in the role to the Challenge Manager, Lucy Jacob ([email protected]) by Friday 30th September 2016.

The Deep South National Science Challenge is delighted to support this year’s Climathon in Wellington for the second year running.

The Climathon – which challenges participants to find ways for Wellington to adapt to climate change – will take place simultaneously in 121 cities in 34 countries on six continents, on 28 – 29 October.

Co-hosted by Wellington City Council and Victoria University – the free event will be held at an undisclosed location announced 24 hours beforehand to those who sign up.

Seeking creative solutions to big issues

The 24-hour Climathon brings together diverse skill sets to find solutions in a short time window. This style of problem solving has shown to be effective at creating unique and creative solutions to big and complex issues.  A broad range of skills is needed: designers, entrepreneurs, public sector, business people, students, technologists, researchers, scientists, environmentalists songwriters and artists are all welcome.

Rhian Salmon, Engagement Lead for the Deep South Challenge, said “the Climathon brings together a diverse group in a fun and dynamic forum to learn about the impacts and implications that climate change will pose for a specific location, explore the associated issues, and come up with innovative approaches to respond and adapt. It’s a positive experience for everyone and a great way to approach to issues like this that can often seem overwhelming.”

Climathon success stories

Last year, more people participated in the New Zealand thinktank event than any other city worldwide, and one successful Kiwi team was selected to present their ideas at the COP21 Climate Talks in Paris last December.  Another of the top New Zealand groups, Kaenga, is currently pitching their idea to investors in Berlin and en route to present at MIT, as part of their prize for 2015’s “Best Building Project.”

Councillor David Lee, from Wellington City Council, says finding ways to help Wellington adapt to climate change is crucial.  “Climate change will have significant impacts on the way we work and play in Wellington,” says Councillor David Lee. “Understanding the challenges we face and being early to see the opportunities they present right now will give us significant advantage in not only looking after our environment and people, but also on the world stage in the market place.”

Next steps for top projects

Top teams can win spots in Victoria University’s summer entrepreneurship accelerator, Victoria Entrepreneur Bootcamp, supporting them to develop their idea further. Other prizes are expected to be announced in coming weeks. Judges will look for the environmental, social and economic impact the ideas will have on Wellington, as well as their long term viability, scalability and sustainability. The expert panel includes climate strategist Rebecca Mills, ethical business strategist James Bushell, leading economist Geoff Simmons as well as climate professors and behaviour change experts from Victoria University, and Deep South representatives.

Want to know more?

You can sign up to participate in the event from the ClimathonNZ website or follow Climathon NZ on Facebook or follow CimathonNZ on Twitter.

The Deep South’s Impacts and Implications Programme is gearing up with a recent researcher workshop and the recruitment of a new science lead – Dr Suzi Kerr.

As one of New Zealand’s foremost climate economists and researchers, Suzi, a research fellow at Motu, brings a wealth of experience and strong networks to the Challenge.  Her new role involves being a key member of the Challenge’s Science Leadership Team and leading the Challenge’s Impacts and Implications Programme (I&I).

The I&I programme will help New Zealanders thrive in a changing climate by bolstering and coordinating New Zealand’s capacity to anticipate potential impacts, understand the implications, and plan and adapt accordingly. It will build on the Climate Changes, Impacts & Implications for New Zealand (CCII) programme in some areas.

Suzi, who led economic research for the CCII programme, is focused on developing a research base for the I&I programme that is useful to end users. “I’m excited about working with the Deep South team and researchers in New Zealand to develop a strategic plan,” she said.  “Our modelling should be directed toward specific questions and produce regular outputs that are immediately useful to a specific end user.  These results can be tested with stakeholders before more resources are put into further model development and refinement of results.” 

Suzi takes over from Dr Daniel Rutledge who emigrated to The Netherlands with his family in June.  Her appointment follows a series of successful introductory webinars for I&I in June that reached around 120 stakeholders and researchers, and a workshop in Wellington in August. At the workshop, 35 climate researchers from around New Zealand met to discuss the I&I programme goals, potential projects and plan a collaborative approach.  

Outgoing Challenge Director, Professor Dave Frame, who led the workshop, said: “It was really great to bring people together for very constructive conversations. The level of collaboration in the room was very exciting.”

Mike Beare, a Science Group Leader at Plant and Food Research, who attended the workshop on behalf of the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge, added: “It was a very interesting and productive discussion. I came away feeling very enthusiastic about the opportunities to bring a climate change perspective (through the I&I programme) to the Our Land and Water Land Use Suitability programme.”

Troy Baisden, a Senior Scientist at GNS, added: “The I & I workshop was a positive experience. The process got everyone’s ideas on the table first, and created an inclusive pathway forward for developing proposals and assigning leadership. Before I arrived I wouldn’t have imagined we’d leave the room with good connection between Deep South and Our Land and Water NSCs. The workshop generated a great deal of clarity and handed the task of developing workable proposals back to research leaders, where it should be.”

The Deep South is featured this month in a supplement of the top science journal Nature.  The supplement, Naturejobs Career Guide Asia Pacific, provides a guide for overseas scientists interested in working in New Zealand.

The article describes the opportunities New Zealand offers international scientists and highlights the work of Olaf Morgenstern (pictured above), originally from Germany, who is leading the Deep South’s Earth System Modelling and Prediction Programme.

Olaf, who arrived in New Zealand in 2008, works for the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) as a Principal Scientist – Atmosphere and Climate. He has also worked in the development of atmospheric chemistry and chemistry climate models in the UK and Germany, and had obtained his PhD degree in Switzerland.

His work for the Deep South involves working with collaborators to build New Zealand’s first Earth System Model. The model will improve New Zealand’s ability to predict future climates.  

Further to this, Olaf is a Principal Investigator of the Clouds and Aerosols project which will improve representation of clouds and their interactions in the Southern Ocean region. He also leads a stratospheric chemistry project which will improve the representation of the ozone layer in the model.

The Deep South has transformed the research landscape in the area of global climate modelling in New Zealand, giving researchers like Olaf new opportunities to develop their work across disciplinary boundaries.

Further reading

• Earth System Modelling and Prediction Programme
• Naturejobs Career Guide Asia Pacific

The Deep South National Science Challenge is delighted to announce two new key appointments to the team that is charged with enabling New Zealanders to adapt, manage risk, and thrive in a changing climate.

NIWA physical oceanographer Dr Mike Williams (pictured on the left above) has been appointed director of the challenge, taking over from Prof David Frame, who is returning to pursue academic research opportunities at Victoria University of Wellington.

Dr Williams has been associated with the challenge since its inception, and has been a key member of its leadership team as Science Leader for the Processes and Observations programme. His main research interests are in ice-ocean interaction, and the impacts of a changing Southern Ocean on Antarctica.

After completing his PhD in Tasmania, he worked as an assistant research professor at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, before returning to New Zealand to work at NIWA.

Dr Williams says the opportunity to take on the directorship of the challenge was too good to pass up.

“It is a privilege to lead something that will have huge benefits for New Zealand as the impacts of climate change take hold. This role feels like a natural progression from the challenge development work I was involved in and I am keen to keep the challenge moving forward.”

One of his first jobs is to establish the final parts of the challenge over the rest of this year, including the Impacts and Implications programme.

Meanwhile, the second new appointment is Dr Suzi Kerr who will lead the Impacts and Implications programme.

Dr Kerr was founder of Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, and is New Zealand’s leading climate change economist. Her Harvard PhD was on international environmental agreements and emissions trading schemes, which remain a strong interest for her, but she has also conducted many studies into other aspects of climate change, particularly those relating to the land sector.

The Impacts and Implications programme will bolster and coordinate New Zealand’s capacity to anticipate potential impacts, understand the implications, and plan and adapt accordingly.

“I’m excited about working with the Deep South team and researchers in New Zealand to develop a strategic plan,” she said.

“Our modelling should be directed toward specific questions and produce regular outputs that are immediately useful to end users.”

Deep South is one of 11 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment-funded initiatives aimed at taking a more strategic and collaborative approach to science investment.

One of the key aims of the challenge is to develop New Zealand’s first world-class numerical Earth System Model that will simulate current climate and possible future climates under different scenarios of future global greenhouse gas emissions. This will ultimately give New Zealanders a greater level of certainty in planning and decision making in the face of a changing climate.

Contact

Dr Mike Williams, Ph 021 044 7645

Dr Suzi Kerr, Ph 04 939 4250

The Deep South National Science Challenge is proud to support this year’s Climate and Business Conference

The conference, to be held in Auckland on October 11-12, is expected to draw 200-300 delegates from business, governments and society. The event builds on the success of last year’s conference with topics such as adaptation, finance, business strategies and carbon markets.

Prof Dave Frame, Director of the Deep South, will present at the conference and the Challenge will have an exhibition table.

Other conference supporters include:

• Climate Change and Business Centre (CCBC)
• Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA)
• Environmental Defence Society (EDS)
• Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ)
• Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC)
• Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ)
• Sustainable Business Network (SBN)
• International Emissions Trading Association (IETA)
• The programme outline is now available and registration is live

Visit the Climate and Business Conference website