Research Subject Area: Oceanography

REF impact found 54 Case Studies

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Amazon Rainforest and Climate Change

Summary of the impact

Research at the University of Exeter on the links between the Amazon rainforest and climate change has influenced international climate policy, has directly assisted Brazilian environmental policymakers, and has received international media coverage. The underpinning research spans the vulnerability of the rainforest to anthropogenic climate change and the mechanisms behind the Amazonian droughts of 2005 and 2010. Impact has been achieved by stimulating public debate through the media, by contribution to science-into-policy documents produced by the World Bank and for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and by direct face-to-face interaction with UK and Brazilian policymakers.

Submitting Institution

University of Exeter

Unit of Assessment

Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Earth Sciences: Oceanography
Biological Sciences: Ecology, Other Biological Sciences

An innovative partnership between academic researchers, coastal management groups and end-users delivers targeted research and enhances communication.

Summary of the impact

A research partnership between Edge Hill University and Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council developed innovative methods of identifying gaps in knowledge and understanding about sedimentary coastal dynamics and investigating practitioner needs. The partnership enabled the dissemination of scientific information to audiences across the wider community. The partnership provided a framework which enabled and enhanced integrated coastal zone management (ICZM). Within this framework coastal zone managers were supported in the development of adaptation and mitigation strategies, taking account of both long and short term environmental change. Policy and management decisions are now based upon sound scientific evidence wherever possible, ascertained by research where time allows, with significant scientific, social and policy benefits. Practice elsewhere on the UK's Irish sea coast, and elsewhere in the EU, has been influenced.

Submitting Institution

Edge Hill University

Unit of Assessment

Geography, Environmental Studies and Archaeology

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Earth Sciences: Oceanography, Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience

Assessing the effect of climate change on the flood risk to London to inform flood management strategies

Summary of the impact

Protecting London from the threat of flooding is of prime importance to the nation. Work in the Unit on regional sea-level rise and on the effect of storm surges was used in the Environment Agency's Thames Estuary 2100 (TE2100) plan to assess potential change in risk. The Unit's work estimated a very unlikely maximum rise in sea level of 2.7m by 2100, considerably lower than the previous worst-case scenario of 4.2m. It confirmed that 90 centimetres was the figure that should be used for developing the plan. TE2100 concluded that a second Thames Barrier (estimated cost £10-20 billion at today's prices) would not be needed not by 2030, but may be needed by 2070. Our results have been used to define procedures for the monitoring of regional sea and Thames water levels over the next few decades, and to review decision-making procedures to ensure that the risk of flooding in London is kept within acceptable levels, while avoiding unnecessary costs

Submitting Institution

University of Reading

Unit of Assessment

Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Earth Sciences: Atmospheric Sciences, Oceanography, Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience

UOA09-02: Climateprediction.net: engaging the public in climate science

Summary of the impact

A novel approach to climate science has resulted in over 260,000 members of the public worldwide choosing to engage in a climate modelling project. By contributing resources that require their time and attention, they have become `citizen scientists'. The project has resulted in greater interest, understanding and engagement with climate science by participants; wider public discussion of climate science; and influence on policy and practice. Over 3000 people, including professionals in developing countries, have benefitted through education and training. The project has also advanced the development and awareness of `volunteer computing'.

Submitting Institution

University of Oxford

Unit of Assessment

Physics

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Earth Sciences: Atmospheric Sciences, Oceanography

Coastal erosion and management

Summary of the impact

The impact described here relates to a specific example of changes in the management of environmental risk for a coastal management study in the UK, and to changes in the dissemination of coastal management knowledge and experience across Europe. The former involved application of formulae developed by the underpinning research to predict sediment transport rates and shoreline evolution. The latter involved development of the Coastal Wiki, an Internet based professional coastal encyclopaedia. This represents a major new tool for dissemination to policy makers, practitioners, researchers and students.

Submitting Institution

Plymouth University

Unit of Assessment

General Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Earth Sciences: Oceanography, Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience
Engineering: Maritime Engineering

Coastal Video Research In Support of Coastal Zone Management

Summary of the impact

The Coastal Processes Research Group (CPRG) at Plymouth University has developed new methodologies, utilising video systems to efficiently monitor and manage the coastal environment. This research has impacted upon coastal managers, mariners, coastal communities, tourists and industries, for example, by reducing the risk of coastal flooding, drowning in rip currents and ships running aground. Algorithms, methodologies and systems developed by the CPRG, trigger appropriate and timely management intervention to protect coastal communities from flooding, instruct dredging operations and effectively manage recreational beach resources.

Submitting Institution

Plymouth University

Unit of Assessment

Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Earth Sciences: Oceanography, Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience
Engineering: Maritime Engineering

UOA09-07: Cumulative carbon emissions targets for climate policy

Summary of the impact

Results from climate physics research at the University of Oxford have demonstrated that targets for cumulative carbon emissions, rather than greenhouse gas concentrations, are a more effective approach to limiting future climate change. This new approach and the resulting `trillionth tonne' concept have had substantial political and economic implications. Impacts since 2009 include (a) stimulus to policy developments; (b) influence on the business decisions of Shell e.g. to invest in a $1.35bn carbon capture and storage facility; and (c) significant public and media debate with a global reach.

Submitting Institution

University of Oxford

Unit of Assessment

Physics

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Earth Sciences: Oceanography
Biological Sciences: Ecology
Economics: Applied Economics

Explore the Deep: Public Engagement with Deep-Ocean Research

Summary of the impact

By putting public engagement at the heart of our deep-sea research, we have delivered benefits to society of generating inspiration and curiosity about science, raising public awareness of our research insights and their context, and providing cultural enrichment by supporting lifelong learning. We have achieved these impacts through: interactions with print, online, and broadcast media that have brought our research to millions; series of talks and events that have inspired specific audiences of tens of thousands; and a network of interactive online resources that has enabled people worldwide to share in our exploration of deep-ocean environments and their biodiversity.

Submitting Institution

University of Southampton

Unit of Assessment

Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Earth Sciences: Oceanography
Environmental Sciences: Environmental Science and Management
Biological Sciences: Ecology

Extreme weather services benefiting industry and humanitarian relief

Summary of the impact

Research conducted within the Aon Benfield UCL Hazard Centre has underpinned the development of innovative extreme weather services for the real-time monitoring of global tropical storms and European extreme weather. These services have achieved significant commercial and humanitarian impacts worldwide. Within the REF impact period these impacts included £1.319 million of income generated by sales of commercial products; 24,000 subscribers receiving free storm alerts and/or seasonal forecasts; seasonal forecasts distributed to reinsurance companies worldwide; and a contribution to lives saved in Bangladesh from tropical storm Mahasen (2013). Twenty-two international organisations have also benefited from the commercial extreme weather services; for example, they support the claims division at RSA in assessing risk, allocating resources and detecting fraudulent weather claims; and they enable the Norwegian Hull Club to alert its portfolio of over 9,200 vessels worldwide to steer clear of approaching dangerous storms.

Submitting Institutions

University College London,Birkbeck College

Unit of Assessment

Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

Summary Impact Type

Economic

Research Subject Area(s)

Earth Sciences: Atmospheric Sciences, Oceanography
Engineering: Maritime Engineering

Geoengineering the Climate: Science, Governance and Uncertainty

Summary of the impact

University of Southampton research has been crucial in informing and stimulating worldwide debate on geoengineering — the possible large-scale intervention in the Earth's climate system in order to avoid dangerous climate change. Climate modellers at Southampton helped to reveal the potential extent of the fossil fuel "hangover" — the long-term damaging effects expected from anthropogenic CO2 emissions centuries or even millennia after they end. This work led Professor John Shepherd FRS to initiate and chair a Royal Society study, whose 2009 report, Geoengineering the Climate: Science, government and uncertainty, is the global benchmark document on geoengineering strategies, influencing UK and foreign government policy.

Submitting Institution

University of Southampton

Unit of Assessment

Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

Summary Impact Type

Environmental

Research Subject Area(s)

Earth Sciences: Atmospheric Sciences, Oceanography
Medical and Health Sciences: Public Health and Health Services

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