It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our friend and colleague Professor Krishna AchutaRao. Krishna was an active member of the WCRP Joint Scientific Community, a Lead Author of the IPCC and a highly regarded member of the Indian and international science community.

To quote a long-time colleague and friend of Krishna's, Prof. Roxy Koll
"Krishna was a long-time friend and colleague, and over the years we had many conversations and arguments about climate science. What brought me closer to him was his keen scientific temper, his extraordinary attention to detail, and above all, his sense of humour. He would question an argument until he was satisfied that it stood up scientifically, but our conversations would very often leave me smiling. He was also a clear and principled critic whenever scientific temper was compromised, something that has become increasingly important in the present political climate. That combination of scientific rigour, intellectual courage and humour is something I will always remember about him."

He was widely regarded as an excellent scientist and equally remembered as a nice person. There have been a number of articles in the Indian press outlining his many contributions:

• The Indian Express: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/krishna-achutarao-iit-delhi-climate-scientist-dies-62-10865578/
• Hindustan Times: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/renowned-scientist-prof-krishna-achutarao-passes-away-at-62-101788545205719.html
• Down To Earth: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/amp/story/climate-change/major-loss-to-indian-climate-science-scientific-community-civil-society-mourn-demise-of-krishna-achutarao

He will be sorely missed by many, including those in the WCRP community.

The World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) Regional Information for Society (RIfS) Core Project will convene two online fora for the climate research community, anchored by panel discussions on overshoot trajectories, consequences, mitigation, and adaptation challenges. Mark your calendar for :

• Week of September 28: Lived Experience: Trajectories and Consequences
• Week of October 14: Navigating the Return: Mitigation and Adaptation Challenges

Sign-up to receive more details as they become available here. Read UNEP’s report: https://doi.org/10.59117/20.500.11822/49857 

The call welcomes nominations, including self-nominations, to help strengthen the SSG’s regional, disciplinary, gender and career-stage representation. Applications are particularly encouraged from underrepresented regions and individuals with expertise in stakeholder engagement.

SSG members will contribute to the strategic development and coordination of the WCRP RIfS research, helping advance climate information that responds to regional needs and supports decision-making.

Deadline: 16 October 2026, 12:00 UTC
Self-nominations are welcome.

Learn more here.

Submit your nomination here.

The World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) congratulates Peter Van Oevelen, Director of the Global Energy and Water Exchanges (GEWEX) Core Project, on receiving the Kenneth C. Spengler Award from the American Meteorological Society (AMS). The award recognizes his "distinguished leadership of the International GEWEX Project Office, bridging weather, water, and climate communities and fostering inclusive, global collaboration across Earth system sciences."

WCRP also congratulates Sara Pryor, recipient of the Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Advance of Applied Meteorology, recognizing her "outstanding contributions to actionable research, leadership, international collaborations, and mentorship that have helped to advance the field of renewable energy."

Recipients will be honored at the 107th AMS Annual Meeting in Denver, 10–14 January 2027.

Read the AMS article: "American Meteorological Society Announces 2027 Weather, Water, and Climate Honorees"

• Interested experts are invited to register here by 23:59 CEST on 25 September 2026.
• To know more, visit the IPCC website.
• Guide for expert reviewers.
  
  

WCRP and the Ocean University of China (OUC) invite applications for the position of Staff Scientist at the International CLIVAR Project Office (ICPO), based at the Ocean University of China (OUC), Qingdao, China. CLIVAR is dedicated to understanding the role of the ocean in the variability, predictability, and change of climate and to the benefit of society and the environment in which we live. The ICPO Staff Scientist will provides technical support to the ICPO to serve as an executive arm of the WCRP Secretariat, specifically for the CLIVAR Scientific Steering Group (SSG) and its panels, research focus areas, and working groups. The call will remain open until August 17, 2026.

To know more about the position, please read the CLIVAR call webpage. 

We are pleased to announce that two proposals have been approved by the CLIVAR SSG as new Research Foci, with implementation set to begin in July 2026:

• The Ocean Oxygen to Carbon Heat Nexus in a Warming Climate (O2CH),  co-chaired by Lijing Cheng and Takamitsu Ito.
• Confronting Earth System Model Trends and Multidecadal Variability with Observations (CEMT-MV), co-chaired by Isla Simpson, Malte Stuecker, Noel Keenlyside and Tiffany Shaw.
  (The membership and webpage is being finalized and will be available on CLIVAR website soon). 

Learn more about the two new CLIVAR Research Foci.

To know more about Dr. Zhang, visit the CLIVAR website.

We are very sad to hear of the passing of Dr Venkatachalam “Ram” Ramaswamy. Ram served on the Joint Scientific Committee of the World Climate Research Program and for several years as part of APARC (formally SPARC). Since 1992 he has been a Lead Author or Coordinating Lead Author for each of the IPCC's assessment reports, and a member of the WMO Panel on Polar and High-mountain Observations, Research and Services (PHORS).  He was a three-time recipient of the WMO Norbert-Gerbier MUMM International Award from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) which he received as a co-author of papers published in 2013, 2003, and 1998. We pass our condolences to Ram's family and many colleagues and friends.
Ram's memorial website: https://lestermemorialhome.com/obituaries/venkatachalam-ramaswamy

Photo: GFDL

To know more read the full article.