SEESM : A Scalable and Extensible Earth System Model for Climate Change Science

PIs:
Robert Jacob

People Involved:
Jay Larson

Additional People:
John Drake (lead PI) , Phil Jones , Bill Collins , Many others

Other Institutes:
ORNL , LANL , NCAR , LLNL, PNNL, LBNL, BNL

Funding:
DOE-SciDAC , OBER

[project website]

Abstract:
The challenge for this SciDAC project is to transform an existing, state-of-the-science, third-generation global climate model, the Community Climate System Model (CCSM3), to a first-generation Earth system model that fully simulates the coupling between the physical, chemical, and biogeochemical processes in the climate system. The model will incorporate new processes necessary to predict future climates based on the specification of greenhouse gas emissions rather than specification of atmospheric concentrations, as is done in present models, which make assumptions about the carbon cycle that are likely not valid. This project will include comprehensive treatments of the processes governing well-mixed greenhouse gases, natural and anthropogenic aerosols, the aerosol indirect effect and tropospheric ozone for climate change studies. This project will improve the representation of carbon and chemical processes, particularly for treatment of greenhouse gas emissions and aerosol feedbacks in collaboration with the DOE Atmospheric Science Program, DOE Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program, and DOE Terrestrial Carbon Programs.