The Climate Research and Modeling Program has three capabilities:
Understanding Climate Processes
NOAA has the capability to discover, understand, and characterize the (i) atmospheric and oceanic processes that influence the radiatively-important non-CO2 greenhouse gases including tropospheric ozone, (ii) atmospheric processes that determine the abundances and properties of aerosols (scattering and absorption) and aerosol's influence on abundance, location, and properties of clouds, (iii) atmospheric processes that determine the abundances and variations of water vapor, and (iv) the role of ozone-depleting trace species and their substitutes. Information on the climate forcing properties of aerosols, which are poorly known, will provide decision support to future efforts to minimize the impact of climate change on the Earth and its inhabitants.
NOAA provides information on the radiatively important gases and aerosols to support policy decisions related to climate change, carbon management, and ozone-layer recovery, in partnership with the other Climate Program Components. Information products include the CCSP 2006 Aerosol and Climate Assessment, support for the 2006 Ozone Layer Assessment and the IPCC 2007 4th Assessment Report, and analyses of assessments for US policy makers.
Earth System Modeling, Predictions, and Projections
The Program conducts applied research in climate variability, predictability, and change, to develop multi-model ensemble forecast and projection systems and carrying out experimental predictions, and to develop new and improved forecasts and application products. This Program also defines requirements for global climate observing systems to support operational climate outlooks and projection needs and to evaluate the effectiveness of current observing systems in meeting these needs. NOAA can diagnose and analyze observations to better formulate radiative forcing in global climate models to better simulate the role of human activities. Parameterization of the global carbon cycle and radiative forcing by aerosols, tropospheric ozone, non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases, aerosol-influenced clouds, water vapor, and stratospheric ozone depletion are all critical to improving global climate models.
Analysis and Attribution
High-quality, global climate information is essential to provide the products that support sound decision-making, resource management and a diverse array of applications. Two essential components are global climate analysis data sets generated by synthesizing diverse data sources using state-of-the-art forecast models, and the regular and systematic attribution of causes of past current, and evolving climate conditions using modern climate diagnostic techniques.
