Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research (OCCR)

News 2016

Deadly Wartime Weather

12 December 2016

One of the worst meteorological disasters in history took place in the southeastern Alps during the infamous winter of 1916 /17. Avalanches following a massive snowfall event killed thousands of soldiers as well as civilians. Novel insight into the event arises from an interdisciplinary study conducted at the Oeschger Centre. It provides detailed reconstruction based on weather forecast models and shows the potential of combining numerical techniques with historical documents.

Our Water: Six Models for the Future

1 November 2016

The Swiss Alpine Museum (alps) has teamed up with the Oeschger Centre as a scientific partner for an exhibition. The show is called “Our Water: Six Models for the Future“. OCCR researchers have provided input and guidance for the concept of this challenging exhibition which promises to take a look into the future while making the link between research and fiction. Starting from the current scientific standpoint, four contemporary authors have come up with six models for our future existence with water.

Group of students on an excursion at the Jungfraujoch

Studying and networking at the foot of Mount Eiger

20 September 2016

For 15 years now, the OCCR summer school has been attracting both young researchers and experienced scientists to Grindelwald. In a relaxed atmosphere far from the ivory towers of academia, young scientists from around the world can network with their peers and engage with their role models.

“I am probably considered an individual success story”

31 August 2016

American born tree-ring specialist David Frank came to Switzerland to do a PhD. He stayed for almost 15 years and ended up as the Principal Investigator of the OCCR’s Dendroclimatology group at the WSL (Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research). Now, as he explains in this interview, he will move on to direct the oldest and largest lab for tree-ring research in the world, the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research at the University of Arizona in Tucson. This is a big achievement not only for David Frank, but for the Oeschger Centre as well.

Standard work on climate and society

22 June 2016

Heinz Wanner the founding president of the OCCR and retired professor of climatology has published a new book. It is entitled „Klima und Mensch – eine 12'000 jährige Geschichte“ (Climate and man –12'000 years of history) and follows the relationship between climate and the great social upheavals in the past.

New Tambora brochure launched

30 May 2016

Members of the Oeschger Centre, in a common effort, have published an new brochure on the 1815 Tambora eruption an its consequences for climate an society.

Hail researchers rely on smartphone apps and damaged cars

24 April 2016

Although hail causes extensive damage, there hasn't been a comprehensive monitoring network -- until now. Researchers at the Oeschger Centre's Mobiliar Lab for Natural Risks are using data on damaged vehicles plus hail reports from the population to improve hail warnings.

Oeschger researchers heading for major Antarctic expedition

24 April 2016

The Oeschger Centre is part of the newly established Swiss Polar Institute, and several of its researchers will take part in the SPI’s first major project: the first scientific expedition set to completely circumnavigate Antarctica.

Master students conducting a video interview

Take the floor - communicating climate science

21 March 2016

A group of Master students of the OCCR’s Graduate School of Climate Sciences has realized a short documentary called Take the floor that is based on interviews conducted at COP 21.

More greenhouse gases from the sea

12 February 2016

The ocean surrounding Antarctica, which oceanographers often refer to as the Southern Ocean, plays an important role in regulating the Earth’s climate evolution. It absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere on one hand, but releases natural carbon as well. How will this buffer work in the future? Will the Southern Ocean continue to help reduce greenhouse gases, or will it increasingly serve as a source of them? At the Oeschger Centre, several climate research teams are searching for answers.
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Timely action needed to meet climate targets

20 January 2016

The Paris Agreement of the UN climate change conference is deemed a historic step for climate protection, but its success depends on rapid implementations. The consequences of delaying global CO2 emission reductions for the climate and the world oceans are assessed in a new study by climate physicists from the University of Bern.