NIWA

There is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than ever previously recorded, new data from NIWA’s Baring Head Atmospheric Research Station shows. 📈 Finalised 2023 data showed an annual average of 416 parts per million (ppm) of CO2 in the atmosphere, up from an average 414ppm the previous year. Concentrations of CO2 measured at Baring Head have increased by 28% since monitoring began in December 1972, when a concentration of 326ppm was recorded. NIWA principal atmosphere technician Gordon Brailsford said the exact concentrations varied depending on where in the world samples are taken, but the trends at Baring Head repeated what scientists were seeing elsewhere. "Decade on decade we're seeing increases… and when you look at the trend, the trend is steepening." "We can trace back through some of our tracer work to say, what's the composition of the CO2? Can we see a signal in there - and we use isotopes for this - that tells us what the origin of the increase in CO2 is? And quite clearly you can see that carbon that's come from fossil sources is contributing to that increased burden in the atmosphere." Read more here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gZuf3apH

NIWA scientists have seen substantial changes in the ocean to the east of New Zealand, with possible impacts for important fisheries. 🐟 Since 2006, strong, full-depth ocean warming has occurred south of the Chatham Islands at around five times the global rate because of the ocean currents moving 120km west. 🌡️ It’s the first time they have seen change through the full depth of the ocean off New Zealand. 🌊 Using measurements taken from satellites and Argo floats – robotic instruments that collect ocean data – they found that areas that once contained cooler, fresher water are now warmer and saltier. This was seen at all depths, from the ocean surface to the seafloor. Under future scenarios, global climate models predict that this system-wide change will strengthen and persist until at least the end of this century. The biological impacts are yet to be determined but several local fish species will likely be affected. Read the full story here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/efSC5t3i 📸 NIWA physical oceanographer Dr Phil Sutton with an Argo float; a key instrument in this research/Luke McPake 

Earlier this year, our team collected close to 1,800 samples during the Ocean Census voyage to the Bounty Trough. 🚢 These samples are still keeping them busy months later as they work to describe and identify the new species they discovered.  🦐 🐙 🐚 🔊 Listen to NIWA voyage leader Sadie Mills and marine invertebrate systematist Dr Rachael Peart talk to RNZ’s Our Changing World about these deepsea discoveries in the latest episode here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eGEzMd-U

We’re thrilled to collaborate with our Australian partners in the new MethaneSAT projects announced below. 🛰️ This work will provide additional validation of agricultural emissions from space alongside our field campaign in New Zealand. The Australian work will be focused on feedlots, which are a very different agricultural system to New Zealand practices – meaning the work will be very complementary to the main MethaneSAT agricultural project.

An excellent interview from University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants with NIWA freshwater biosecurity ecologist Dan Clements on underwater weeds and our work preventing their spread. There are some great contrasts in conditions with his American colleagues. 🌿 🔊 Listen here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eFrX-uxG 📸 Mary de Winton 

Applications for the 2024/25 BLAKE Ambassador Programme are now open! 🥼 🌏 🔬 The programme provides young New Zealanders (aged 18–24) the opportunity to take part in science and conservation projects throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. 🙌 We have five positions available at NIWA to get involved in climate, freshwater and aquaculture science. You could be out in the field collecting data, in the lab conducting experiments or looking after kingfish in Bream Bay! 🐟 Find all the details and apply here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e3a3XCz 📆 Applications close 4 August. 📸 2023/24 NIWA BLAKE Ambassadors Irisa Hudson, Bethany Millar, Isa de Vries & Jack Mathieson

Between 2022 and 2023, oceanic and coastal waters around Aotearoa New Zealand reached their warmest annual temperatures since the series began in 1982. 🌡️🌊 Data published by Stats NZ shows sea surface temperatures increased on average between 0.16 to 0.26°C per decade across oceanic regions, and coastal regions warmed on average between 0.19 to 0.34°C per decade. 📈 NIWA marine ecologist Dr Matt Pinkerton authored the report and says, “Things are getting hotter because of climate change – we knew that already – but the accelerating pace of warming of the oceans around New Zealand is surprising. More warming brings more marine heatwaves and the increase in these abnormally hot events since 2010 is dramatic.” Read more here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dCnifHST 📸 Lana Young

Wellingtonians – are you looking for something to do tomorrow evening? 👀 Head along to Te Papa for the free ‘Explorations of the Bounty Trough’ talk. 🗣️ Earlier this year, scientists from NIWA, Ocean Census and Te Papa discovered around 100 new species while exploring the Bounty Trough aboard RV Tangaroa. 🚢 Hear from NIWA researchers Dr Rachael Peart and Amelia Connell as they discuss the voyage, including life on deck and what happens when a new species is discovered. 🦑🦀🐚 📍 Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Soundings Theatre, Level 2 📆 Thursday 18 July ⏰ 6.30pm to 8.00pm 💵 Free event, but booking is recommended: https://lnkd.in/euBd69zE 📸 Rebekah Parsons-King

July 2024 marks a special anniversary for NIWA – 25 years of issuing our Seasonal Climate Outlook (SCO). 🥳 The SCO provides nationwide temperature, rainfall, soil moisture and river flow predictions for the coming three months and is one of our most popular services. ☀️ 🌧️ ❄️    The first SCO was released in 1999. Back then, it was published on a four-page leaflet that was sent by post to media and subscribers. 📬 These days, it is distributed electronically and delivered live on social media – far from back in the day when our meteorologists would travel around the country to deliver the SCO in person, every single month! Read about its humble beginnings, how far it's come and what the future holds here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eeJ-4pEA

NIWA climate scientist Dr Andrew (Drew) Lorrey made an appearance on recent ABC Television hit series, 'Megafauna: What Killed Australia's Giants?' 🦕 His research studying ancient kauri in Aotearoa New Zealand might be the missing puzzle piece in understanding atmospheric changes that occurred 42,000 years ago when the Earth’s poles switched places – eventually leading to the extinction of megafauna species worldwide. 🦖 “This ancient kauri represents the truest reflection of atmospheric radiocarbon that we have on the planet,” says Dr Lorrey. 🌳 Check it out! 📺 Episode 1 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g-DGzsCP 📺 Episode 2 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gZsCeppr