Using climate system models

The Climate Change Research Section (CCR) is part of the Climate and Global Dynamics (CGD) Division at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado.

The CCR section makes extensive use of state-of-the-art coupled climate system models to study the sensitivity and stability of the Earth system to a variety of forcings, including changes of greenhouse gases, aerosols, solar irradiance, volcanic forcing, land characteristics, and land use change. CCR is a focal point for NCAR and university paleoclimate research and serves as a resource to the paleoclimatic and climate change research community in the use of the Community Earth System Model (CESM). CCR scientists collaborate closely with major U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories in developing and using high-performance coupled climate models to address national climate research and policy questions.

Present and Future Climate Change Research

CCR's Climate Change and Prediction (CCP) research focuses on the sensitivity and stability of the Earth system to a variety of forcings, including changes of greenhouse gases, aerosols, solar irradiance, volcanic forcing, land characteristics, as well as land use change. In addition, CCP continues to conduct centuries long simulations and ensembles of simulations.

Integrated Assessment Modeling (IAM)

Integrated Assessment Modeling (IAM) group that is developing and applying integrated socio-economic and biophysical models of the climate system. The IAM group is also part of NCAR's Integrated Science Program (ISP). The integrated assessment field uses such linked models to address questions relevant to policy responses to the climate change issue.

Paleoclimate

CCR's Paleoclimate group studies climates of the prehistoric past. The largest climate changes that have occurred on Earth, such as the Ice Ages, are those recorded in the geologic record. Understanding the causes of such past climate changes is an essential part of developing and validating models of future climate change.