John Austin
Contributing Writer
JA enjoying a well-earned break at Bryce N.P. - Alda Oliveira-Austin
I have over 30 years' experience as a research scientist with over 80 papers published on the stratosphere. My main interest is the connection between ozone depletion and climate change. I hold a BA and MA in mathematics and physics, and a PhD in atmospheric sciences from the University of Cambridge (UK). I worked at the UK Meteorological Office 1978-2003 and at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ, USA, 2003-2010. I was the (sole!) winner of the 2003 Buchan Prize of the Royal Meteorological Society and along with an almost uncountably large number of climate scientists, I was a co-winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. I am an enthusiastic traveller and photographer. I love dogs and they love me.
Latest Articles
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How Humans Can and Have Affected the Climate
An erroneous, but often suggested, argument against climate change is that humans cannot change the atmosphere. A simple calculation shows that they can.
Dec 13, 2011
- John Austin
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How Climate Change is Measured and Predicted
The measurement and prediction of climate change is conducted by hundreds of scientists worldwide. The work is embraced by the IPCC for its reports.
Nov 22, 2011
- John Austin
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Water Present Just Below the Surface of Jovian Moon
Liquid water has been found in a lake just below the surface of Jupiter's moon Europa, with important implications for the search for extraterrestrial life.
Nov 17, 2011
- John Austin
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Extreme Weather Adds to Climate Change Problems
Although climate change conventionally concentrates on the mean climate, day to day climate variability has increased in recent decades.
Nov 16, 2011
- John Austin
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Greenhouse Gases Show Inexorable Rise in 2010
The Annual Greenhouse Gas Index is a way of measuring the direct climate effect due to changes in atmospheric gases. The index has risen by 29% since 1990.
Nov 15, 2011
- John Austin
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Stratospheric Ozone Decreased by Major Volcanic Eruptions
Major volcanic eruptions, in which the emitted sulphur dioxide gas reaches the stratosphere, now contribute to ozone depletion. It wasn't always that way.
Nov 11, 2011
- John Austin
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The Climate Effects of Volcanic Eruptions
Volcanic eruptions affect climate on many time scales. To understand the human influence on climate it is necessary to appreciate these natural influences.
Nov 8, 2011
- John Austin
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The Causes and Dangers of Sea Level Rise
The average global sea level is rising at the rate of over 3mm (0.12") per year. While small, this will likely have major concerns for low-lying countries.
Oct 23, 2011
- John Austin
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Global Warming Commitment: Why There Is More to Come
If we were suddenly to stop emitting greenhouse gases, the climate would continue to warm for decades before coming to balance, with important consequences.
Oct 20, 2011
- John Austin
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Climate Change | Forest Growth Accelerated by High Carbon Dioxide
It is known that planting trees can reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases. Research published 9 October 2011 shows that growth may accelerate under high CO2.
Oct 19, 2011
- John Austin
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