Ph.D. Physics
Contact Details
Biography
Dr Sam Dean is one of New Zealand’s leading experts on climate change science. His research has been able to identify the contribution of human-induced warming to intensifying current New Zealand weather extremes, including droughts and floods. He has contributed to our fundamental understanding of how the atmosphere responds to climate change, as well as improving our understanding of Antarctic sea ice and its influence on Southern Hemisphere climate.
He has a broad and comprehensive knowledge of climate change impacts on New Zealand. Over past 13 years Sam has been at the forefront of developing future climate change projections specifically for New Zealand. These projections are actively used by numerous research institutes, government departments and local government councils to better understand, or plan for, the impacts of climate change. In recent years he has contributed to adaptation solutions to expected climate change impacts.
Sam has been a frequent public speaker on climate change and is one of NIWA’s key contacts for climate information. Sam was previously Chief Scientist for Climate, Atmosphere and Hazards at NIWA from 2015-2019.