climate science

New research published in Science argues that a mega El Niño, with extreme and prolonged climate swings, triggered the end-Permian mass extinction around 252 million years ago, the deadliest extinction event in Earth's history. The study suggests these wild temperature and rainfall fluctuations stressed ecosystems beyond their ability to adapt, offering a new explanation for why the tropics and higher latitudes were hit so hard.

Researchers suggest a long-standing interpretation of a 2-billion-year-old geological record may be wrong, with implications for how scientists understand Earth's ancient atmosphere and early conditions. The claim is drawing attention because such clues underpin theories about the planet's oxygenation and climate history, and a misreading could require revisions to models of how Earth's environment evolved over deep time.

An unmanned, hurricane-proof Saildrone vessel has begun a treacherous 22,000km journey around Antarctica, departing from Hobart in the name of climate science. The autonomous craft is designed to withstand extreme conditions while collecting ocean and climate data from one of the planet's harshest marine environments, drawing attention for the ambition of its circumnavigation.

Saudi Aramco scientists have contributed to IPCC climate reports, the UN assessments that shape global climate policy. Reporting by the Guardian highlights how oil company researchers ended up with roles in the world's most influential climate science documents, raising questions about conflicts of interest and industry influence over the scientific consensus on fossil fuels and global warming.