Joellen Russell

The global oceans cover about 71% of the Earth's surface and contain 97% of the Earth’s water. Through their fluid motions, their high heat capacity, and their vast ecosystems, the oceans play a central role in shaping the Earth's climate and its variability on both short and long time scales. Central to this role is the ability of the ocean to store carbon dioxide and exchange it with the atmosphere as part of the global carbon cycle.

Changes in temperature or air circulation are part of complex, long-term cycles that are often accompanied by changes in sea level that have major impacts on coastal regions. Understanding the influence of ocean conditions on the Earth's climate and monitoring changes in ocean conditions are key to predicting climate change. I explore the ocean's role in climate using statistical analyses, ultrahigh resolution coupled climate models and Earth System Models.