EGS XXV General Assembly, Nice, France, April 2000

EGS3. Understanding climate change and variability: the need for an effective observing system:

Event Information

A major limitation in our ability to detect a potential anthropogenic climate change at an early state is due to a lack of understanding of the natural variability of the Earth's climate at interannual to centennial time scales. Most of all, a better understanding of the Earth's system at these time scales is hampered by the absence of a sufficient observational database of the Earth system and the main external forcing from the Sun. Such a database is required for both, Earth system analysis and as constraints for Earth system models. Despite the large effort by major international and intergovernamental organisations to implement Global Observing Systems under an Integrated Global Observing Strategy, it has to be noted that national geodetic and geophysical observing systems are declining in many countries with this decline particularly affecting the global coverage of ground measurements. In this situation, where economic constraints and scientific requirements are in conflict, it is crucial to know the most relevant variables of the system, which need to be monitored in order to be able to improve our understanding of the Earth system most effectively. With the symposium, we would like to approach the problem of climate variability and change by reviewing the scientific specifications in view of an effective observing system as well as discussing innovative ways to approach an Integrated Global Earth Monitoring System. In particular, we would like to address the following questions: (1) What type of geophysical indicators do we need to understand climate variability and to improve our ability to detect climate change? (2) How can ground-based and space-borne measurements complement each other most effectively? (3) How can models be better utilised to draw of an effective observing system?

Preliminary List of Solicited Speakers

Co-Sponsorship