Open AccessDesigning the Climate Observing System of the Future
Author(s) -
Weatherhead Elizabeth C.,
Wielicki Bruce A.,
Ramaswamy V.,
Abbott Mark,
Ackerman Thomas P.,
Atlas Robert,
Brasseur Guy,
Bruhwiler Lori,
Busalacchi Antonio J.,
Butler James H.,
Clack Christopher T. M.,
Cooke Roger,
Cucurull Lidia,
Davis Sean M.,
English Jason M.,
Fahey David W.,
Fine Steven S.,
Lazo Jeffrey K.,
Liang Shunlin,
Loeb Norman G.,
Rignot Eric,
Soden Brian,
Stanitski Diane,
Stephens Graeme,
Tapley Byron D.,
Thompson Anne M.,
Trenberth Kevin E.,
Wuebbles Donald
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
earth's future
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.641
H-Index - 39
ISSN - 2328-4277
DOI - 10.1002/2017ef000627
Subject(s) - climate change , environmental resource management , environmental science , climate system , food security , extreme weather , earth system science , environmental planning , climatology , geography , ecology , agriculture , archaeology , geology , biology
Climate observations are needed to address a large range of important societal issues including sea level rise, droughts, floods, extreme heat events, food security, and freshwater availability in the coming decades. Past, targeted investments in specific climate questions have resulted in tremendous improvements in issues important to human health, security, and infrastructure. However, the current climate observing system was not planned in a comprehensive, focused manner required to adequately address the full range of climate needs. A potential approach to planning the observing system of the future is presented in this article. First, this article proposes that priority be given to the most critical needs as identified within the World Climate Research Program as Grand Challenges. These currently include seven important topics: melting ice and global consequences; clouds, circulation and climate sensitivity; carbon feedbacks in the climate system; understanding and predicting weather and climate extremes; water for the food baskets of the world; regional sea‐level change and coastal impacts; and near‐term climate prediction. For each Grand Challenge, observations are needed for long‐term monitoring, process studies and forecasting capabilities. Second, objective evaluations of proposed observing systems, including satellites, ground‐based and in situ observations as well as potentially new, unidentified observational approaches, can quantify the ability to address these climate priorities. And third, investments in effective climate observations will be economically important as they will offer a magnified return on investment that justifies a far greater development of observations to serve society's needs.