Understanding the Climate System
29 September 2004 - 29 September 2004
Belgium
The Arctic region plays an important role for our understanding of the global climate system and for studies of climate change processes. This seminar will present examples of ongoing climate research in Sweden and future challenges for European research collaboration with a focus on Arctic warming. The seminar will also highlight the excellent tools and infrastructure that Sweden can offer the European research community for climate research in this area.
Preliminary Programme,Welcome and brief introduction,Anders Karlqvist,Director-General, Swedish Polar Research Secretariat
Introductory remarks,Rolf Annerberg,Head of Cabinet, European Commission, Cabinet of Margot Wallström
Arctic Climate Research of the European Commission,Dr. Anver Ghazi,Advisor, Earth Observations, DG Research (former Head of Unit, Global Change), European Commission
The role of the Arctic in climate processes,Professor Caroline Leck,Department of Meteorology, Stockholm University, Stockholm
Observations and model calculations demonstrate that the Arctic area is sensitive to global climate change. Models predict changing ocean currents, thawing of permafrost and other effects of climate change that can have a large impact on European climate and its citizens. To reduce the uncertainties inherent in such predictions, an improved understanding of the Arctic region and the involved processes are necessary. This requires more scientific research and a concerted,use of existing infrastructure and the Arctic as a natural laboratory.
The Arctic upper atmosphere - studies by ground-based instruments, sounding-rockets and balloons,Professor Sheila Kirkwood,The Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Kiruna,Detailed local atmospheric measurements from ground-based and in-situ instruments are essentialif we are to understand the physical and chemical processes affecting climate. The northernmost part of Sweden is internationally renowned for research on the Arctic stratosphere and mesosphere. World class infrastructure at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics and Swedish Space Corporations Esrange facility offer excellent research opportunities to the international, scientific community.
Satellite measurements of the arctic stratosphere,Professor Donal Murtagh,Global Environmental Measurements Group, Departement of Space and Radio Science Chalmers,University of Technology, Gothenburg,Both Swedish national and European satellites contribute to our understanding of the Artic stratosphere. Although this region, particularly in winter, is isolated from its surroundings, the chemical nature of the Artic air is dependent on long-range global transport and satellites are required to measure this. Satellites will also play an important role in future strategies for climate monitoring such as GMES and Swedens expertise should play a vital role in this.
Frozen archives and climate change,Professor Per Holmlund,Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology, Stockholm University,The effects of global warming are expected be most pronounced and manifest themselves earliest in the Arctic. At the same time the Arctic holds many of our most useful archives for the study of climate history back in time. The research on permafrost, glaciers and ice cores gives us perspectives on whether the climate changes we see today are natural or anthropogenic. The Tarfala Research Station, in close connection to the glacier Storglaciären, provides a unique,infrastructure for European geoscientists.
Climate impacts on the structure and function of Arctic ecosystems: the international roles of the Abisko Scientific Research Station,Professor Dr. h.c. Terry V. Callaghan,Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Abisko Scientific Research Station,Past climate changes have reduced arctic biodiversity to a low and vulnerable level. The Arctics climate is warming rapidly and projections suggest amplifi cation and early warning of global change. Already, ecosystem responses are occurring. The Abisko Station operates within environments analogous to those found from the Sub-to the high Arctic. The station hosts international experiments simulating future environments, has long-term observational and paleo,data and is central to the assessment of climate impacts on Arctic ecosystems.
The Arctic Ocean and its role in the climate system,Professor Leif G. Anderson,Department of Chemistry, Göteborg University, Gothenburg,A substantial variability of the distribution of Arctic sea ice cover and water masses have been observed during the last few decades, e.g. have the Arctic sea ice cover and thickness decreased in the summers at a close to constant rate during the last 25 years. These observations have been possible by a combination of satellite observations and observations from ships, including submarines. The Swedish icebreaker Oden has been one of the most useful platforms for these studies.
Concluding remarks and moderator of discussion:,Arctic climate change - How can Swedish science help to understand the problem?,Professor Erland Källén,Department of Meteorology, Stockholm University, Stockholm,
Preliminary Programme,Welcome and brief introduction,Anders Karlqvist,Director-General, Swedish Polar Research Secretariat
Introductory remarks,Rolf Annerberg,Head of Cabinet, European Commission, Cabinet of Margot Wallström
Arctic Climate Research of the European Commission,Dr. Anver Ghazi,Advisor, Earth Observations, DG Research (former Head of Unit, Global Change), European Commission
The role of the Arctic in climate processes,Professor Caroline Leck,Department of Meteorology, Stockholm University, Stockholm
Observations and model calculations demonstrate that the Arctic area is sensitive to global climate change. Models predict changing ocean currents, thawing of permafrost and other effects of climate change that can have a large impact on European climate and its citizens. To reduce the uncertainties inherent in such predictions, an improved understanding of the Arctic region and the involved processes are necessary. This requires more scientific research and a concerted,use of existing infrastructure and the Arctic as a natural laboratory.
The Arctic upper atmosphere - studies by ground-based instruments, sounding-rockets and balloons,Professor Sheila Kirkwood,The Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Kiruna,Detailed local atmospheric measurements from ground-based and in-situ instruments are essentialif we are to understand the physical and chemical processes affecting climate. The northernmost part of Sweden is internationally renowned for research on the Arctic stratosphere and mesosphere. World class infrastructure at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics and Swedish Space Corporations Esrange facility offer excellent research opportunities to the international, scientific community.
Satellite measurements of the arctic stratosphere,Professor Donal Murtagh,Global Environmental Measurements Group, Departement of Space and Radio Science Chalmers,University of Technology, Gothenburg,Both Swedish national and European satellites contribute to our understanding of the Artic stratosphere. Although this region, particularly in winter, is isolated from its surroundings, the chemical nature of the Artic air is dependent on long-range global transport and satellites are required to measure this. Satellites will also play an important role in future strategies for climate monitoring such as GMES and Swedens expertise should play a vital role in this.
Frozen archives and climate change,Professor Per Holmlund,Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology, Stockholm University,The effects of global warming are expected be most pronounced and manifest themselves earliest in the Arctic. At the same time the Arctic holds many of our most useful archives for the study of climate history back in time. The research on permafrost, glaciers and ice cores gives us perspectives on whether the climate changes we see today are natural or anthropogenic. The Tarfala Research Station, in close connection to the glacier Storglaciären, provides a unique,infrastructure for European geoscientists.
Climate impacts on the structure and function of Arctic ecosystems: the international roles of the Abisko Scientific Research Station,Professor Dr. h.c. Terry V. Callaghan,Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Abisko Scientific Research Station,Past climate changes have reduced arctic biodiversity to a low and vulnerable level. The Arctics climate is warming rapidly and projections suggest amplifi cation and early warning of global change. Already, ecosystem responses are occurring. The Abisko Station operates within environments analogous to those found from the Sub-to the high Arctic. The station hosts international experiments simulating future environments, has long-term observational and paleo,data and is central to the assessment of climate impacts on Arctic ecosystems.
The Arctic Ocean and its role in the climate system,Professor Leif G. Anderson,Department of Chemistry, Göteborg University, Gothenburg,A substantial variability of the distribution of Arctic sea ice cover and water masses have been observed during the last few decades, e.g. have the Arctic sea ice cover and thickness decreased in the summers at a close to constant rate during the last 25 years. These observations have been possible by a combination of satellite observations and observations from ships, including submarines. The Swedish icebreaker Oden has been one of the most useful platforms for these studies.
Concluding remarks and moderator of discussion:,Arctic climate change - How can Swedish science help to understand the problem?,Professor Erland Källén,Department of Meteorology, Stockholm University, Stockholm,