Climate Modelling

Overview: 

Better understanding of the interactions among present climate change, biogeochemical and human processes is a topic of increasing interest for research and policy. Many countries are currently implementing climate change policies, focused on reducing greenhouse gases, in order to reduce the vulnerability to climate change [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2007].  To study the potential effects and interactions of future climate, air quality and society, both global and regional-scale models are needed. Earth System Models (ESM), which are state-of-the-art global circulation models coupled with ocean, sea-ice, land and atmospheric chemical models, are sophisticated tools designed to simulate the earth climate system and the complex interactions among its components. The availability of computational resources at BSC-MareNostrum allows for the application of these high-resolution coupled climate models.

 

Objectives: 

The main objectives are to investigate the causes and effects of climate change and provide accurate and reliable information about its future impact. Our approach includes the use of the high spatial and temporal resolution EC-EARTH ESM, in combination with regional disaggregation and downscaling methods to provide regional climate information. Studies on the climate impacts at BSC include:
 

  • Participation in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP-5), within the EC-EARTH framework, to provide future climate change information that addresses outstanding scientific questions raised at the IPCC-AR4 and that will be considered in the future IPPC-AR5.
  • Study feedbacks on the earth system, particularly the interactions between climate and air quality at global to regional scales. Special attention is given to the Mediterranean basin, a region significantly sensitive to pollution and climate change due to its particular meteorology (e.g., high solar radiation, poor ventilation).
  • Improvement of the efficient use of high-performance computers, model evaluation tool sets and access to model results for the community.

 

Projects/Areas: 
  • EC-EARTH – the European Community Earth system model
  • CMIP5  – Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5
  • IS-ENES  – InfraStructure for the European Network for Earth System Modeling [FP7-IS-ENES-GA 228203]