Climate Change

Description

Models of how global and regional climate systems function are developed based on the known physics and chemistry of interactions between the atmosphere, land surface, and oceans driven by input of energy from the Sun. As these models have become more sophisticated in their ability to accurately capture these interactions at finer spatial scales and time-steps, it has become apparent that observed changes in global temperature and precipitation can only be explained as a result of human activities modifying the climate system Climate change prediction models allow us to explore future climate scenarios for better preparedness and ability to safeguard our future.

Animation of Global Coupled Climate Models (Photo Credit: NCDC . Source)

Related Data

• The National Centers For Environmental Information (NOAA) provides two climate prediction datasets: CM2 Global Coupled Climate Models (CM2.X) and Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5). Both models show future climate projects for the 21st century as well as models for past climate scenarios. https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/data-access/model-data/model-datasets/climate-prediction

External Resources

• USGS Derived Downscaled Climate Projection Portal:
  http://cida.usgs.gov/climate/derivative
  Visualization and model analysis site that provides information down to the county level
• USGS National Climate Change Viewer (NCCV):
  http://www.usgs.gov/climate_landuse/clu_rd/apps/nccv_viewer.asp
  Somewhat less polished than the Climate Projection Portal for looking at downscaled CMIP5 predictions, but provides more access to models and a few different variables
• NASA Earth Exchange – Global Daily Downscaled Projections:
  https://cds.nccs.nasa.gov/nex-gddp
  Most recent release of downscaled CMIP5 projections for temperature and precipitation, extends out to 2100