Collaborative Research: Mathematics and Climate Change Research Network

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Jones, DMS-0940363Camp, DMS-0940267Danforth, DMS-0940271Fung, DMS-0940272Golden, DMS-0940249Holland, DMS-0940241Kostelich, DMS-0940314McGehee, DMS-0940366Pierrehumbert, DMS-0940261Silber, DMS-0940262Tung, DMS-0940342Zeeman, DMS-0940243 The investigators form a "Mathematics and Climate ResearchNetwork." This is a framework for an intensive effort aimed atbringing to bear the full power of modern applied mathematics andstatistics on the prediction and understanding of the Earth'sclimate. The investigators focus on three key themes: (1)Dynamics of Climate, (2) Climate Process Modeling, and (3) DataAnalysis and Data Assimilation. Dynamics of Climate addressescritical climate processes and their interactions. ClimateProcess Modeling undertakes the modeling of climate componentsthat have been underrepresented in extant climate models, such asthe multi-scale material structure of sea ice. Data Analysis andData Assimilation develops mathematical tools for analyzingclimate data and assimilating them in current climate models. The Research Network aims to be a national resource, withparticipants at thirteen U.S. universities. The investigatorswork together as a virtual community that holds regular weekly"webinars" and working meetings over the Internet. Thismulti-year effort is expected to help in defining a research areaof "climate mathematics" and in educating a new generation ofmathematical researchers to meet the scientific challengesassociated with a changing climate. This project is driven by the need to better understand theEarth's climate system. Climate is the result of manygeophysical and chemical processes in the Earth's atmosphere,oceans and biosphere. These processes evolve in time over manyscales, ranging from minutes to centuries, and interact inmultiple ways, most often nonlinearly. Feedback mechanisms, manyof which are poorly understood, further complicate the picture. Because there is only one Earth, climate cannot be studied bysystematic experimentation; the only approach available toclimate researchers is through computational experiments. Theseexperiments are based on mathematical models, which must besimple enough not to exceed the capabilities of today's advancedcomputer architectures, while still incorporating the physicaland chemical processes that are essential for realistic climateoutcomes. The expertise of mathematical scientists in designing,assessing and interpreting these models is critical. This"Mathematics and Climate Research Network" helps engage themathematical sciences community to address the mathematical andstatistical issues of our changing climate. The Research Networktakes full advantage of current information technology;communication and collaboration among the participants takesplace mostly remotely over the Internet.