World-renowned climate scientist Michael Mann visits Southampton: “There is urgency, but also agency”

The University of Southampton had the honour of welcoming Professor Michael E. Mann—one of the world’s most influential climate scientists—for a two-day visit and public lecture series sponsored by the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI).

Best known for the iconic “hockey stick” graph that first captured global attention in 1998, Professor Mann is the Presidential Distinguished Professor of Earth & Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania, a lead author in multiple IPCC reports, and co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. His visit drew full lecture theatres and galvanised conversations across the university community about the climate crisis—and what can still be done to prevent its worst effects.

In his first talk, Beyond the Hockey Stick (6 May), Mann revisited the groundbreaking climate reconstruction that revealed the unprecedented pace of recent global warming. “The blade, if you will, is even sharper,” he noted, reflecting on the updated versions of the graph. “We have continued to warm by about 0.3°C per decade. The latest versions communicate even greater urgency when it comes to acting on the climate crisis.”

But urgency doesn’t mean despair. In his second lecture, Science Under Siege (7 May), Mann explored the rise of climate denial, anti-science ideologies, and misinformation amplified through AI and social media echo chambers. Drawing from his forthcoming book Science Under Siege , co-authored with public health expert Dr Peter Hotez, Mann highlighted the growing threat posed by “plutocrats, pros, petrostates, phonies, and the press” in delaying climate action. Yet his message remained empowering: “There is urgency, but also agency.”  Mann emphasised that agency lies in our ability to vote, support science-based policy, engage people in everyday conversations, and take collective action through the choices we make and the communities we build.

Throughout his visit, Professor Mann was introduced to a range of research teams and facilities that exemplify Southampton’s leadership in interdisciplinary climate, sustainability, and ocean science. His tour included the National Oceanography Centre’s Marine Autonomous Robotic Systems (MARS) group, and the University of Southampton’s Maritime Robotics Lab, Boldrewood Wave and Towing Tank , the Winds of Change project, Southampton Geospatial , and the School of Ocean and Earth Science .

“90% of the heating from global warming is going into the oceans,” Mann emphasised. “And so it's critical to understand what's happening, not just at the surface, but all the way down. It's important to understand the chemistry and how it's changing in the oceans—and to bring that into the fold when it comes to larger questions about climate solutions and decarbonization.”

Reflecting on his time at Southampton, Mann was effusive: “It’s been a great experience to be here and talk with students, faculty and researchers about the really important climate and sustainability research that’s going on here.” He praised the university’s interdisciplinary strength and the collaborative environment fostered by the SMMI.

This high-profile visit was made possible thanks to an invitation from Professor Gavin Foster (School of Ocean and Earth Science) and underlines the SMMI’s role in convening global expertise to address the defining challenge of our time. As Mann concluded: “We really do stand at a crossroads. It is critical that we act over the next decade to bring carbon emissions down substantially, if we are to avert ever more catastrophic consequences.”

Images by Nosa Malcolm – nosamalcolm.com