Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirpatrick and Professor Mark Howden (pictured) were at the Australian National University's Climate Update 2026.

Professor Perkins-Kirkpatrick was the keynote speaker.

The event, which had the subtitle "Adaptation from soil to stars", helped people understand why, in 2025, Australia experienced simultaneous flooding in the north and drought in the south. 

Promoting the event, the university said: "As we travel further from the historical bounds of the Earth’s natural systems, climate-fueled disasters are increasingly the new normal. 

"While still carrying the load of mitigation, Australia must now also plan for a changed climate. Our future policy direction is already being laid down, with the release of the first National Climate Risk Assessment and National Adaptation Plan last year".