What can record-breaking heatwaves tell us about Earth’s future?
The climate science that is used to predict our planet’s future will be explored at a special event in Leicester following this summer’s record-breaking heatwaves.
Climate science expert Dr Tim Trent will examine this summer’s extreme weather events – including the widespread droughts that affected two-thirds of England – and consider what they have to tell us about Earth’s future during a free talk at Space Park Leicester in October.
Dr Trent is a lecturer in Earth Observation at the University of Leicester’s School of Physics and Astronomy and co-leads the Water and Climate Research Lab (WCRL).
He said: “With a summer of record-breaking heatwaves and extremely dry landscapes, people may be asking whether we have reached a turning point.
“Over the past nine months, we have experienced unprecedented high global temperatures, devastating wildfires, and severe droughts which have altered our usual seasonal patterns. In the UK, five separate heatwaves have occurred; it has had its hottest summer on record, and widespread droughts have affected two-thirds of England, so the effects have never felt so close to home.
“In my talk at Space Park Leicester, we will examine the key scientific ideas behind the recent extreme weather events and will go beyond the headlines to consider what this exceptional summer tells us about our planet's future.”
Dr Trent’s talk will take place as part of a series of free talks at Space Park Leicester, called Space Park Conversations, and will be delivered in collaboration with the Leverhulme Centre for Humanity and Space.
Josh Vande Hey, Head of Earth Observation Science Research Group and Associate Professor in Environment and Health at the University of Leicester’s School of Physics and Astronomy, said: “This summer’s extreme weather events have been a hot topic for discussion for many of us so we’re delighted that Tim is going to share his knowledge and expertise in this area at Space Park Leicester.
“Tim is a highly respected lecturer in Earth Observation and he co-leads WCRL which studies various elements of the hydrological cycle, with a specific focus on the responses of fast-domain water-cycle processes to climate change.
“With such a wealth of knowledge and experience, Tim’s talk promises to be incredibly enlightening.”
Dr Trent’s talk will be held at Space Park Leicester at 3pm on Wednesday 14 October.