A Durham University expert on climate change has been appointed to the governing body of the European Research Council (ERC).

Professor Harriet Bulkeley, from our Department of Geography, describes how COP15 will set new targets for protecting biodiversity.

As the planet warms, the demand for keeping cool is growing. The International Energy Agency estimate that air conditioners and electric fans today account for about 10% of all global electricity consumption and will triple by 2050 – requiring the equivalent of all the electricity currently used by the USA and Germany just to keep us cool.

Dr James Grecian was part of the final episode of Frozen Planet II where he talks about the migration of harp seals.

Three of our academics have received awards for their research excellence. Professor Pippa Whitehouse has been awarded the SCAR Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research, Professor Rebecca Hodge has received the Gordon Warwick Award by the British Society for Geomorphology, and Professor David Evans has been awarded the Clough Medal of the Edinburgh Geological Society.

The fate of the world’s biggest ice sheet is in our hands, researchers say.

Durham has recorded its highest ever maximum temperature of 36.9°C.

Early humans were present in Britain between 560,000 and 620,000 years ago, according to new research involving our Department of Geography.

A new book chronicles the weather and climate in Durham over the past 180 years from ice-skating on the River Wear to the City’s hottest day.

Congratulations to Emma Brown and Dylan Inglis, who respectively received national recognition from specialty research groups of the Royal Geographical Society for their undergraduate dissertations in geography!

Congratulations to Harriet Jennings, who received national recognition for undergraduate dissertation research!

Dr Sarah Knuth, in the Department of Geography, has been shortlisted for Masters Teacher of the Year for her work on our Risk Masters program. Congratulations Sarah!