These phenomena have caused episodes of intense rainfall, strong winds, and significant sea agitation, resulting in floods, landslides, service disruptions, and material damage in various regions of the country.
In a context of growing concern about the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, researchers from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (Ciências ULisboa) have played a prominent role in scientific communication with society.
Drone image of the floods in Alcácer do Sal caused by the overflowing of the Sado River. Source: Nuno Ferreira Santos
Several experts from the institution have been regularly featured in the media, contributing to the explanation of the atmospheric mechanisms associated with these storms and framing them within the current scientific understanding of climate variability and change.
Among the researchers who have participated in this public awareness effort are Carlos da Câmara, Carlos Pires, Gil Lemos, Pedro Matos Soares, Rita Cardoso and Ricardo Trigo, from Instituto Dom Luiz (IDL), and Filipe Duarte Santos, from CE3C, as well as alumni Alexandre Ramos and Filipe Lisboa, whose analyses have helped to understand and anticipate these extreme weather phenomena.
Carlos da Câmara, Carlos Pires, Gil Lemos, Pedro Matos Soares, Rita Cardoso e Ricardo Trigo, investigadores do Instituto Dom Luiz, e Filipe Duarte Santos, investigador do CE3C. Fonte: DR
As part of this effort to clarify and connect with society, Ciências ULisboa and IDL are also promoting the Special Climate Session – So, what is happening with the weather?, a videoconference with free access for the community, which will take place this Monday at 5 pm. The event will feature the participation of five researchers — Alexandre Ramos, Carlos da Câmara, Gil Lemos, Pedro Matos Soares and Rita Cardoso — who will explain the different aspects of the recent succession of storms, analyze current weather forecasts, discuss the impacts of extreme phenomena and reflect on future challenges in terms of adaptation, resilience and infrastructure, promoting an informed dialogue between science and society.
In addition to contributing to the field of communication and scientific dissemination, the Faculty community also mobilized in a concrete response to support the populations most affected by Storm Kristin. This initiative resulted in a collection of essential goods to support emergency and recovery efforts in the municipality of Marinha Grande, one of the hardest-hit areas.
Volunteers from Ciências ULisboa load the van with the collected goods to deliver them to Marinha Grande.
The initiative had the institutional support of FCiências.ID - Association for Research and Development of Ciências, through the loan of a vehicle, and the voluntary involvement of several community members. Three representatives from the Faculty ensured the direct delivery of donations in Marinha Grande, while many other people collaborated in transporting the goods from the collection point to the vehicle and packing them into boxes after sorting them by category (canned goods, rice and pasta, cereals, powdered milk, diapers for children and adults, biscuits, jams, energy bars, pet food, among others).
In just one day, the community's participation proved extraordinary, allowing the vehicle's cargo bed to be completely filled with donated goods. This collective mobilization of students, professors, and non-teaching staff reflects the strong spirit of solidarity, social responsibility, and civic commitment that characterizes the Faculty of Sciences, illustrating an open science at the service of society, especially in response to the challenges posed by extreme weather events.
Volunteers from Ciências ULisboa deliver some of the goods to the shipyard of the Marinha Grande Town Hall.