The Lamont Earth Science Colloquium presents:
The Future of Climate Modeling
Dr. Gavin Schmidt, Adjunct Senior Researcher, Columbia Climate School.
Abstract: Over the last five decades, climate modeling has gone from simple one dimensional models, to energy balance models, to atmospheric general circulation models and now to multi-component Earth System Models. The skill of these models has been improving in every generation, and continues to do so, while the salience of their results has grown ever stronger. However, the demands on these models, for more detailed and complete projections, for more actionable information for a vast array of users, and for faster and more responsive attributions of current events, are increasing as well. I will discuss the challenges this creates for the models, and chart out a few potential pathways forward dealing with some key questions: what is the role of machine learning or AI? How can we take advantage of new computational platforms? How can we scale the co-production of usable information? Can we reduce uncertainties further? And how do we do any of this given the context of science funding in the US?
The Earth Science Colloquium Series, sponsored by Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Columbia University Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DEES), provides a lively forum for discussing a wide variety of topics within the Earth sciences and related fields. Colloquia are attended by the full range of scientific and technical staff at LDEO. Colloquium attendance is required of all pre-orals DEES graduate students. The Colloquium Series supports the Lamont Seminar Diversity Initiative.
