Northumbria University, Newcastle

The RV Polarstern in front of a huge iceberg in Pine Island Bay (Credit: J Klages, AWI)

5 July 2024 09:29

The dawn of the Antarctic ice sheets: new study reveals it took millions of years for ice to cover Antarctica

Major differences in the way that Antarctica’s ice sheets formed millions of years ago could be the reason why ice is melting faster today than predicted, especially in West Antarctica, an international research team has discovered. The surprising findings, detailed in unique geological sediment samples from drill cores, provide insights into when and where today’s Antarctic ice sheets formed.

The project team, Research Assistant Mingyu Zhu, Dr Jiayi Jin and Professor Richard Laing are pictured while attending the Future Observatory workshop and presenting their research at the Design Museum, London.

24 April 2024 14:30

Collaborating with coastal communities on regeneration is key

Researchers at Northumbria University have undertaken a project exploring sustainable planning with the coastal communities in North and South Tyneside. The team developed and championed methods to enable communities to co-design how urban redevelopment might best serve their neighbourhoods.

The ICOS Auchencorth Moss station near Edinburgh. Copyright: ICOS ERIC/Konsta Punkka

3 April 2024 13:19

Cutting-edge technology will boost real-time monitoring of remote peatlands

Researchers will develop new ways to monitor carbon emissions from vast swathes of peatland after winning almost half a million pounds to develop new sensors that can be used in remote areas.

Northumbria students were the first to complete a new intensive programme offered by ACCESS: Policy, providing an insight into addressing emerging global challenges through policy making. Photo Credit: U.S. Embassy London

14 March 2024 09:00

Students take on real-world policy issues in the capital

A group of nine Northumbria University students travelled to the U.S. Embassy in London to present their climate and environment policy recommendations after months of being mentored by a number of industry experts from the public, private and third sectors.

Professor Matt Baillie Smith and Sumana Banerjee with Dr Andrew Fleming

6 March 2024 14:00

British Deputy High Commission hosts photography exhibition informed by research

The British Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, India, has hosted a photography exhibition and the launch of a bilingual photobook showcasing the findings of research on the role of voluntary work in meeting the challenges of climate change.

Greenland Ice Sheet near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland.

15 February 2024 16:04

How future research can help improve projections on rising sea levels

A new research synthesis co-authored by an international group of 29 ice sheet experts states that future rises in sea level could be better estimated by gaining a clearer understanding of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets.

Dark green fritillary (Speyeria aglaja) is a species for which local extinctions have been linked to a warming climate. Photo by Alistair Auffret.

12 February 2024 12:36

More of the same: Study reveals winners and losers from climate and land-use change

New research from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Northumbria University has determined that as warm-loving species expand their ranges under climate change, Britain’s landscapes are losing their biological uniqueness.

Ice on the Antarctic peninsula flowing along a channel into an ice shelf in the ocean. Hilmar Gudmundsson

18 December 2023 16:53

EXPERT COMMENT: Antarctic study proves glacier has undergone irreversible retreat – highlighting potential for widespread ice loss

In an article written for The Conversation*, both from Northumbria University, Hilmar Gudmundsson, Professor of Glaciology and Dr Brad Reed, Research Fellow in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, alongside Mattias Green, Professor in Physical Oceanography at Bangor University discuss developments in the activity of the Pine Island glacier in the west Antarctic ice sheet.

An image showing the process of ice flowing into the ocean and forming an ice shelf in Antarctica

5 December 2023 12:11

Major Antarctic glacier passed a tipping point in the last 80 years, research reveals

Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica has gone through an irreversible retreat, passing a tipping point within the last 80 years, researchers have found. The findings, which are published in the influential journal Nature Climate Change, have emerged when world leaders gather in Dubai to debate the impacts of climate change at the COP28 conference.

Pictured back row l-r: Kayleigh Ransome, Julia Bourne and Chelsea Baxter, of New York Primary School; Alan Ramsay, of Roots and Wings; Joe Shimwell, of NUSTEM, with Dr Emma Hocking (front)

14 November 2023 15:08

Climate change is ‘in our hands’

Pupils from a North East Primary School have collaborated with scientists to design a board game which allows young people to explore the issue of climate change and discuss the actions that can be taken in response to this global challenge.

Meltwater drips from winter sea ice grounded as the tide drops. Photo from British Antarctic Survey

27 October 2023 09:00

EXPERT COMMENT: Increasing melting of West Antarctic ice shelves may be unavoidable – new research

In an article written for the Conversation, Jan De Rydt, Associate Professor of Polar Glaciology and Oceanography at Northumbria University, along with Ocean-Ice Modeller Kaitlin Naughten and Ocean and Ice Scientist Paul Holland, both from the British Antarctic Survey, discuss their recent research findings on the warming of the West Antarctic ice sheet.

Life on Our Planet premieres on Netflix on Wednesday 25 October. Image courtesy of Silverback Films/Netflix

24 October 2023 10:12

Researcher’s knowledge called upon for new Netflix series, Life on Our Planet

Insights from an expert in past climates at Northumbria University have been used to help inform the science and technology behind a much-anticipated new Netflix series which promises to bring the Earth’s oldest creatures back to life.

Sea ice reflections around Rothera Point, home to a research station and British Antarctic Survey (BAS) base on the Antarctic Peninsula. Photo by Steve Gibbs.

23 October 2023 16:07

Increased West Antarctic ice sheet melting is ‘unavoidable’, say scientists

The West Antarctic ice sheet will continue to increase its rate of melting over the rest of the century, no matter how much we reduce fossil fuel use, according to British Antarctic Survey (BAS) research, supported by Northumbria University, and published in the journal Nature Climate Change.

Finding a solution to the housing crisis by building on the greenbelt

12 October 2023 10:00

EXPERT COMMENT: Building on the greenbelt is central to solving the housing crisis – just look at how the edges of cities have changed

In an article written for The Conversation, Cameron McEwan, Associate Professor in Architecture at Northumbria University and Andreas Lechner, Associate Professor at Graz University of Technology, focus their research on the urban-nature divide, providing a solution of building on the greenbelt to solve the housing crisis.

Dr Mark Goddard believes the importance of gardens for protecting wildlife and connecting people to nature is too often overlooked. Photo by Ellen Moran, Getty Images.

11 October 2023 09:14

Humanity for Habitat – saving nature at home

The important role of managing residential gardens and yards to promote biodiversity is the focus of a new study led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and co-authored by an academic from Northumbria University.

Northumbria University News, Summer 2023 edition is out now!

12 July 2023 13:00

Read the latest issue of Northumbria University News: Summer 2023 edition

Packed with the latest news, achievements, features and interviews, the newspaper is the perfect way to keep up to date with the exciting developments taking place across the University.

Advance Practice students Rajesh Kondela, Haritha Narayanan, Sahith Mulagapati, Diya Sunny and Purnachander Reddy

22 June 2023 11:42

Northumbria students inspire schools and colleges in national eco challenge

Northumbria University students have joined forces with TV architect George Clarke’s MOBIE charity to support a national challenge to find new ways to make homes more energy efficient.

Jim Gillon, Energy Services Manager, Gateshead Council, with Cllr John McElroy, at Gateshead’s Energy Centre.

2 June 2023 09:21

Psychologists encourage Gateshead households to expand use of innovative heat networks

Experts in consumer behaviour and behaviour change from Northumbria University are working with Gateshead residents to understand how households are using heat networks, in a bid to expand their use across the borough.

The Solar2Water team, L-R: Muhammad Wakil Shahzad, Muhammad Ahmad Jamil, Mohammed Sanjid Thavalengal, Muhammad Mehroz, Nida Imtiaz (not pictured).

17 May 2023 14:23

New portable system produces drinking water from just air and sunlight

Scientists at Northumbria University have developed a sustainable solution for clean drinking water, that can be deployed to rural communities and set up easily without scientific know-how.

Areas in red highlighting changes to the thickness of Greenland's ice sheets between 1992-2020

20 April 2023 09:35

Polar ice sheet melting records have toppled during the past decade

The seven worst years for polar ice sheets melting and losing ice have occurred during the past decade, according to new research led by IMBIE - part of Northumbria University's Centre for Polar Observations and Modelling - with 2019 being the worst year on record. The findings are published today in the journal Earth System Science Data.

Topics: Climate issues