|
Also available: PDF Version of entire document (6.7 Mb)
For details see the
Climate Variability and Change
chapter of the Strategic Plan for the Climate Change Science Program
(2003)
|
|
CCSP Research Element:
Climate Variability and Change
Climate and climate variability influence social and
natural environments throughout the world. Climate fluctuations on various time
scales affect the success of agriculture, the abundance and distribution of
water, and the demand for energy. Human-induced changes in climate may have
substantial environmental, economic, and societal consequences.
CCSP-supported research on climate variability and change focuses on how
climate elements such as temperature, precipitation, clouds, winds, and
storminess are affected by changes in the Earth that result from natural
processes and potentially human activities. Specific objectives include:
improved predictions of seasonal to decadal climate variations (e.g., the El
Nino-Southern Oscillation); improved detection, attribution, and projections of
longer term changes in climate; the potential for changes in extreme events; the
possibility of abrupt climate change; and efficient and effective methods of
disseminating accurate and useful scientific information about climate needed
for decisions.
Benefits from this research include:
Improved ability to distinguish natural climatic variations from human
contributions to climate change, resulting in more credible answers to "If...,
then..." policy-related questions
Improved forecasts of El Nino events
Better estimates of future changes in extreme events and of risks of
abrupt changes
Improved communication and increased use of scientific information on
climate variability and change.
In Situ Measurements. This surface buoy with meteorological
instrumentation is being deployed in the Arabian Sea to help researchers study
surface forcings. Source: Robert A. Weller, Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institution.
|
For details see the
Climate Variability and Change
chapter of the Strategic Plan for the Climate Change Science Program
(2003)
|
|