Topics / Impacts & Risks / Impacts

Impacts

Reports
Report_AClimateFirstPolicy_Feature_660x660px.FA
Analysis
A Climate-First Foreign Policy For Australia
Climate disruption demands urgent reorientation of Australian foreign and security policy priorities.
Impacts Politics Policymaking Human Security
SCA_ReportCovers_Resize.v4
Analysis
Heat to Hunger
Climate-driven food insecurity threatens global stability; Australia must act urgently to assess and address escalating security risks.
Adaptation Impacts Future Warming Food & Water Human Security
SCA_ClimateDominoes_Feature_660x660px.FA
Analysis
Climate Dominoes
Earth’s systems are showing significant signs of tipping into irreversible change.
Climate Science Impacts Scientific Reticence Sea Levels Tipping Points Ecosystem Collapse
SCA_DisasterAlley_Feature_660x660px.FA
Analysis
Disaster Alley
Climate change has become a major catalyst for global conflict, social unrest, and humanitarian breakdown.
Risk Analysis Impacts Climate Extremes Sea Levels Food & Water Human Security
Papers
Featured SCA_BriefingPapersCovers_Resize.v1
Analysis
Warming has Reached 1.5°C
Global warming has hit 1.5°C, but that is not safe. What does that mean for climate advocacy?
Solar Reflection Climate Science Impacts Future Warming Ice Melt Advocacy Targets
SCA_ReportCovers_Resize.v2
Analysis
Faster, Higher, Hotter
The evidence is clear: emissions are still rising, warming will exceeds 1.5°C by decade's end, and tipping points are accelerating, requiring urgent action.
Impacts Climate Extremes Future Warming Ice Melt Tipping Points
SCA_BriefingPapersCovers_Resize.v1
Analysis
Existential Climate-Related Security Risk
Climate change poses an existential threat; urgent, wartime-scale action is needed to prevent profound security consequences.
Risk Analysis Impacts Climate Extremes Future Warming Human Security
Articles
Popular MELBOURNE, VICTORIA STATE, AUSTRALIA - 2025/01/04: People enjoy the sunny day at Geelong Beach, with temperatures expected to soar into the high 30s on Sunday. Geelong Beach heats up on Saturday with temperatures nearing 40°C, as locals and visitors flock to the ocean to beat the summer heat before conditions peak on Sunday. (Photo by Ye Myo Khant/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Insights
Climate Hot Takes for 2025
Evidence this year shows 1.5°C has effectively been reached, 3°C is looming under current policies, and geoengineering is moving into the mainstream conversation.
Impacts Future Warming Policymaking Tipping Points
TOPSHOT - This picture taken on December 4, 2019 shows a passenger aircraft flying across the setting sun in Sydney, as smoke haze continues to hang over the city with more than 50 bushfires still burning across New South Wales. - Australian authorities on December 5 said the toxic smoke that has enshrouded Sydney for much of November is unprecedented, as residents donned masks and cranked air conditioners in the hope of respite. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Insights
In the Burning Days
Northern Australia faces escalating climate risk amid defence and fossil expansion.
Energy Risk Analysis Impacts Human Security
TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 04: Seen is a general view of a blocked major intersection in the flooded Townsville suburb of Idalia on February 04, 2019 in Townsville, Australia. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has warned Townsville residents that flooding has not yet reached its peak as torrential rain continues. The continued inundation forced authorities to open the floodgates on the swollen Ross River dam on Sunday night. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
Insights
At the Climate Crossroads
Climate risks are escalating rapidly. The 1.5°C threshold has been surpassed, pushing us toward devastating tipping points.
Adaptation Impacts Politics
Popular Screen Shot 2025-06-25 at 2.12.26 pm 1
Insights
Another Year, Another Record
2024 broke temperature records amid deadly climate disasters, failing policies, and accelerating risks from ocean and tech impacts.
Economics Climate Science Impacts Policymaking
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 09: A resident walks on a flooded Edmonstone Street in the suburb of Newmarket on March 09, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. Australia's east coast is experiencing severe weather as ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred moves south. While downgraded from cyclone status, the weather system continues to bring damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding, particularly in the Gold Coast and northern NSW regions. Authorities have issued severe weather warnings, and coastal areas remain at risk of significant erosion and hazardous surf conditions. Residents are urged to stay updated on local warnings, avoid floodwaters, and prepare for ongoing disruptions. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Insights
Oblivious to the Storm
AMOC collapse threatens global food security, sea levels, and climate stability, with severe impacts on Australia.
Impacts Tipping Points Human Security
Podcasts
USA Podcast—6-100
Insights
The Worst Outcome of Systematic Collapse
Exploring climate tipping points, 1.5°C, and why high-end risks must guide policy and security planning.
Climate Science Goals & Targets Impacts Future Warming Human Security
Listen
UK Podcast—9-100
Insights
At the Point of Systemic Collapse
Climate change is accelerating, creating urgent risks for ecosystems, human security, and the future.
Solar Reflection Impacts Future Warming Scientific Reticence
Listen
Projects
Latest Stock close-up photograph of a young Asian woman, pointing at, and learning from, global data displayed on a large computer monitor.
Advocacy
Climate Science Imperatives Project
Understanding the Climate Challenge and the Conditions for Safety
Climate Science Risk Analysis Impacts
Press
7_Measuring_greenhouse_L.jpg.optimal
Media
Is scientific reticence hindering climate understanding?
Scientific reticence is understating climate dangers, weakening public understanding and slowing responses proportionate to the threat.
12 March 2025
Climate Science Risk Analysis Impacts Climate Extremes
smaoke1
Media
MPs warned of “devastating” climate-fuelled disruption across Asia-Pacific
Federal politicians are being warned that Australia must prepare for “devastating” climate-fuelled disruption in the Asia Pacific region.
3 August 2023
Impacts Climate Extremes Politics Policymaking
FireClimate copy4
Media
Climate summit calls for urgent action after Australia's fire-hit summer
Forceful declaration calls for governments to set short-term zero emissions target to avoid catastrophic warming
15 February 2020
Impacts Climate Extremes Advocacy Politics
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: The Sydney Opera House is seen on September 23, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. Severe wind storms in the west of New South Wales have blown a dust cloud that has engulfed Sydney and surrounding areas. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Media
Code red: Climate skating on thin ice, authors say
Climate Code Red, argues that the climate change challenge is far worse than officially acknowledged.
18 July 2008
Mobilisation Impacts Climate Extremes Scientific Reticence
Contributors
AH_profile3

Adrian Hindes

Earth Systems Analyst and Researcher

Studies SRM, CDR, tipping points, risks, ethics, governance and impacts.

View profile

David King

Climate Policy Analyst and Scientific Advisor

Former chief scientist advising governments on emissions, innovation and global climate governance.

View profile
Screenshot

Peter Garrett

Environmentalist, Activist, Former Government Minister

Environmental campaigner, musician and policymaker advancing conservation and climate action nationally.

View profile
MichaelThomas.FA

Michael Thomas

Security Analyst and Defence Academic

Former army officer researching geopolitics, strategy and climate-security risks internationally.

View profile
CharlieVeron

Charlie Veron

Marine Biologist and Coral Taxonomist

Renowned scientist studying reefs, biodiversity loss and ocean ecosystems under warming.

View profile

Hans Joachim Schellnhuber

Climate Physicist and Policy Advisor

Leading scientist modelling Earth systems, tipping points and planetary boundaries and informing policy.

View profile

Sherri Goodman

National Security and Climate Risk Leader

Pioneer linking defence planning, environmental change, geopolitical stability and security frameworks.

View profile
6080098d2ee2ee5be31a2d556ddc183de3712e62.FA

Paul Gilding

Author & Corporate Advisor

Former executive advising business transformation, economic shifts and sustainability strategy implementation.

View profile
ChrisBarrie.FA

Chris Barrie

Former Defence Chief and Security Advocate

Ex-ADF leader highlighting climate threats, national security risks and policy urgency.

View profile