CMAR aims to advance Australian climate, marine, and earth systems science.

CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research

CMAR’s research focuses on issues affecting Australia and the world, and we provide a range of scientific and consulting services that are underpinned by research.

• 21 January 2009 | Updated 14 October 2011

• Background
• Research themes
• Climate and atmosphere
• Staff
• Facilities

Background

CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (CMAR) houses Australia’s leading regional climate change modelling research teams.

Our research aims to advance Australian climate, marine and earth systems science.

We focus on issues affecting Australia and the world, and we provide a range of scientific and consulting services that are underpinned by this research.

Australia is the custodian of one of the largest marine jurisdictions in the world, an area more than twice that of our land mass.

An enormous range of economic and recreational opportunities exist, while the oceans around Australia play a major role in controlling world and regional climate.

The atmospheric composition of the Southern Hemisphere and the exchange of gases with the land and sea are important in measuring, modelling and analysing climate change and ozone depletion.

Research themes

CMAR’s research is delivered largely through the National Research Flagships, in particular through research themes in the Wealth from Oceans Flagship, and with the Bureau of Meteorology through the Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research.

Climate and atmosphere

The Climate and Atmosphere theme develops Earth system models and knowledge of climate processes to make climate and ocean predictions and assess climate change impacts.

It aims to help our climate-sensitive society make better decisions.

Researchers use observations of the atmosphere and Earth to assess air quality, greenhouse gases and the interactions between land and air.

Their work focuses on policies, actions and methodologies that are responsive to changes in atmospheric health, for the responsible use of the atmosphere and its interactions with the Earth.

Staff

CMAR comprises about 550 staff, plus more than 150 students, Fellows, and long-term visitors.

Staff are located at sites in five states:

• Aspendale, Victoria
• Canberra, ACT
• Brisbane, Queensland
• Floreat, Western Australia
• Hobart, Tasmania.

The headquarters are located in the Hobart offices.

Facilities

CMAR also manages:

• the Marine National Facility – Research Vessel Southern Surveyor
• a number of marine and atmospheric collections.

Learn more about our research on Environment.