Improving the Effectiveness of U.S. Climate Modeling

We increasingly understand the consequences of climate variability and the impacts on society. This text describes ways to improve the efficiency of the US climate modelling enterprise.

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Information derived from climate modeling has become increasingly important in recent years. More and more we understand that climate variability and change impacts society and that dealing with climate-related disasters, conflicts, and opportunities requires the best possible information about the past, present, and future of the climate system. To this end, Improving the Effectiveness of U.S. Climate Modeling describes ways to improve the efficacy of the U.S. climate modeling enterprise, given the current needs and resources. It discusses enhanced and stable resources for modeling activities, focused and centralized operational activities, how to give researchers access to the best computing facilities, the creation of a common modeling and data infrastructure, and research studies on the socioeconomic aspects of climate and climate modeling.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Executive Summary
Questioning the Effectiveness of U.S. Climate Modeling
Climate Models, Observations, and Computer Architechtures
State of U.S. Climate Modeling
Increased Societal Demands on U.S. Modeling
Responding to Climate Modeling Requirements
Improving the Effectiveness of U.S. Climate Modeling
A Vision for the Future
References
Appendix A: Steering Committee and Staff Biographies
Appendix B: Capacity of U.S. Climate Modeling to Support Climate Change Assessment Activities
Appendix C: Questionnaire Sent to Large and Intermediate Modeling Centers
Appendix D: Questionnaire Sent to Small Modeling Centers
Appendix E: Climate Modeling Survey: Summary Response
Appendix F: Workshop Agenda
Appendix G: Workshop Participants
Appendix H: Summary of Other Relevant Reports
Appendix I: Description of Different Codes
Appendix J: Acronyms
Color Plates