Extreme weather scientists warn of impending funding drought
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Senior climate scientists in New Zealand warn that funding for extreme weather research is drying up despite the country's increasing need for it. Researchers say that understanding severe storms is crucial as most New Zealanders are experiencing climate change through these events.
New Zealand's extreme weather research funding is dwindling. Senior climate scientists warn that this comes at a time when the country needs it most. The Government invests around $170 million into climate-related research annually. However, changes to science investment may divert more funding away from New Zealand-specific climate research. University researchers say that the vast majority of New Zealand's extreme rainfall is driven by atmospheric rivers from the tropics. Recent research has made progress in understanding how climate change influences this, but major projects are ending with little to follow. Researchers know that storm behavior is changing, with total rainfall squeezed into a shorter timeframe. This amplifies wet events and also leads to longer dry and drought periods. Large investments in previous years have ended, leaving many outstanding questions about compound events and their risks. Scientists worry that there is little funding on the horizon to continue this crucial work.
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