Oceanographer receives international honour for climate change communication

UNSW Scientia Professor Matthew England has received the 2024 Pavel S. Molchanov Climate Communications Prize - the first Australian to receive the honour.

Matthew England never imagined that a love of surfing would lead to a career studying the world’s oceans. He grew up riding the breakers at Sydney’s Harbord Beach and initially had no idea what he’d study. When he discovered there was a course in Oceanography, he couldn’t believe his luck. 

Three decades after he first started researching what happens below the surface of the water, Matthew England, who’s now a Scientia Professor at UNSW, is still just as passionate about the oceans. Now he’s being honoured with the American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) Pavel S. Molchanov Climate Communications Prize, which recognises world-leading scientific literacy, clarity of message and efforts to foster respect and understanding of science-based values, particularly around climate change.

This is only the second time in the prize’s history that it has been awarded to a scientist outside of the United States, and Prof. England is the first Australian to receive the honour.

Over a 30-year career he has led several international efforts to bring attention to the dangers of human-induced climate change. 

In 2007 Prof. England coordinated and led the Bali Climate Declaration by Scientists, a major international statement by the scientific community that specified the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions required to minimise the risk of climate change. Prof. England presented the declaration at the 2007 Bali COP meeting, and it was the first time the scientific community put forward a coordinated message at a COP calling for world leaders to set targets to dramatically cut emissions. 

Prof. England was also the coordinating lead author of the 2009 Copenhagen Diagnosis which spelled out how the window for effective action on climate change is rapidly closing.

On receiving news of the AGU award Prof. England said he was both surprised and thrilled by the recognition. “The past winners are some of my heroes of climate change communication. I’m honoured to join their ranks,” he said. 

Prof. England’s advocacy has helped politicians, policymakers, industry and the public better understand the effects of climate change, particularly the oceans. He is also committed to calling out climate change sceptics and deniers. 

“I’ve felt motivated to counter lies, fake news and disinformation, which sadly has been part of the climate change story since the early 1980s,” he said. “Science must speak up for our oceans, which are getting clobbered by a giant perturbation of heat.” 

UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Attila Brungs, said there are many challenges for scientists who dedicate their career to understanding and explaining climate change, making a positive impact on society. 

“The very real havoc wreaked by our warming planet can often lead to ugly debate and disinformation, and there is a huge responsibility for our scientists to wade through the lies and communicate the truth,” he said. 

“Over a career spanning three decades, Matthew England has never shied away from trying to explain the science of our warming planet, even at personal cost. We are very proud of his efforts, and we’re thrilled to see him honoured with this international prize.”

Still today, Prof. England is most comfortable in the ocean, and said he loves “nerding out” in the water. 

“I love going to the beach and feeling the different layers of the water – the warm surface layer, and the colder water beneath,” he said.  

“I swim almost every day, and I just love surfing the big waves.

“It’s an incredible refresh for my mental health. It helps me clear my mind and motivates me to keep working and advocating for our oceans.”