Workshops on Earth Sciences

Earth’s Cryosphere and Seas Level Change (22-26 March 2010)

Rationale: A central issue in climate change is the potential mass losses from land ices and glaciers and the corresponding increase of the eustatic Sea Level Height. Observational studies from satellites, radar and in-situ measurements indicate mass losses on Greenland but generally a gain of mass over Antarctica. Mountain glaciers with a few exceptions are presently retreating. Climate models indicate that this trend is to continue implying net averaged sea level rise of a couple of dm during the 21st century and a further acceleration thereafter. However, there are indications that land ice melting may accelerate due to instabilities in parts of the land ices, some of it likely caused by percolation of melt water from the surface. The purpose of the workshop is to provide an in-depth insight into the future of the large land ices and mountain glaciers as exposed to natural climate variations and external effects and its effect on sea level change. Read more >>

Atmospheric Energy Balance (10-14 January 2011)

Rationale: The overall energy balance of planet Earth is exposed to changes due to external effects such as solar irradiation and to internal causes in the Earth system such volcanic eruptions and anthropogenic changes in atmospheric composition affecting the energy balance. Specific issues to explore are cloud radiative forcing and empirical ways to determine climate sensitivity. For the surface radiation balance (and
even more, for in-atmosphere radiative fluxes where the accuracies are as low as 5-10W/m2 in annual and global average), there needs to be an independent evaluation of the uncertainties and biases that are likely to afflict assessment of the satellite-based radiation budget. Critical issues are thewater vapour feedback, cloud determination and relation to atmospheric circulation. Read more >>