Workshop on Recent High Latitude Climate Change

CliC - SCAR - ICPM

Location - International Arctic Research Center, Fairbanks, Alaska
Dates - 6-8 December 2004

Background: Siberia, Alaska/northern Canada and the Antarctic Peninsula have warmed more than any other regions on Earth over the last 50 years. Parts of Greenland have also experienced significant warming over recent years. The reasons for the observed temperature increases are not fully understood, but involve cyospheric feedbacks, coupled with changes in the atmospheric circulation, and possibly ocean currents.

Goals:

• to bring together the atmospheric/oceanic/cryospheric observational data (in-situ, satellite, re-analysis fields) to gain insight into the processes responsible for the changes, particularly to understand the relative roles of the ocean and atmosphere and the importance of feedbacks.
• understand why the models have only limited success in reproducing the observed warmings in their 20th Century runs
• Compare and contrast the mechanisms of change in the three areas
• to try and determine if the warmings have occurred because of natural climate variability or because of anthropogenic activity
• to identify future research required

Format: The three days of the meeting would consist of presentations during the mornings and workshop sessions during the afternoon.

Attendance: By invitation and involving about 20-30 people.

Expected outcomes: A review paper on recent high latitude climate change for a refereed journal. Insight into future research needs.

Funding: Resources for this workshop are being provided by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, the International Commission on Polar Meteorology, the British Antarctic Survey, and the International Arctic Research Center, .

Contact: For more information contact John Turner - jtu@bas.ac.uk

Links:
CliC - Climate and Cryosphere WCRP - World Climate Research Programme SCAR - Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research The International Commission on Polar Meteorology