Of all the world’s oceans, the Southern Ocean absorbs the majority of human-generated heat and carbon, helping to slow the pace of climate change and keep our planet liveable. Meanwhile, the vast ice sheets of Antarctica act as an ‘air conditioner’ for our planet, reflecting 50-70% of incoming solar radiation. The Southern Ocean is a ‘natural laboratory’ for vital scientific research, impossible to achieve anywhere else on the planet.

Climate change is a growing threat to human wellbeing, environmental ecosystems, and the entire planet. The alarming warming trends continue and the evidence for human activity driving global change is only becoming stronger. But, while warning of the damage that lies in our future, climate expert Professor David Karoly assures us “we can limit it to avoid complete catastrophe.”

A significant, urgent and sustained reduction in emissions is required to reach greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050. A target of 50% reduction relative to 2005 levels by 2030 for Australia would be consistent with the required rate of emissions reductions to meet the Paris Agreement targets of limiting global warming to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels.