Dr Gerard McCarthy on appointment as co-chair of major Atlantic climate assessment

iCRAG Research Ireland Centre for Applied Geosciences, warmly congratulates Dr Gerard McCarthy of Maynooth University’s ICARUS and Department of Geography on his appointment as co-chair of a major new international initiative to assess the state of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).

iCRAG researcher, Dr McCarthy will co-lead the expert working group alongside Professor Hans Otto Pörtner of the Alfred Wegener Institute in Germany. Supported by JPI Oceans and JPI Climate, the project brings together leading scientists from across Europe, Canada and the United States to evaluate the latest science on the AMOC and its implications for climate, ecosystems, and
society.

Professor Sarah A. Gleeson, Director of iCRAG Research Ireland Centre for Applied Geosciences, said:

“On behalf of iCRAG, I warmly congratulate Dr McCarthy on this prestigious appointment. His research has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, a major component of the global climate system with significant implications for Ireland. This appointment reflects the depth of his expertise and the growing recognition of Ireland as a natural laboratory for studying ocean and climate interactions. We are proud to support research that strengthens climate resilience and informs global responses to ocean and climate change.”

The AMOC plays a vital role in regulating the global climate, particularly across the Atlantic region. With Ireland among the countries most directly affected, Dr McCarthy’s leadership highlights both the international impact of Irish climate research and the importance of continued investment in this area