AOS & CICS Newsletter

Spring 2008 Volume 2, Number 2

What is an Earth System Model? Program in Atmospheric and New Frontiers: Oceanic Sciences (AOS) & Atmospheric GCM Earth System Climate The Cooperative Institute Land physics Model Ocean GCM and hydrology for Climate Science (CICS) Modeling at GFDL Atmospheric GCM Earth Tracer transport and chemistry Inside this issue: CICS and GFDL scientists are working System Ocean ecology and Land ecology and side by side to advance our understanding Model biogeochemistry biogeochemistry Land physics Earth System Modeling………..1 Ocean GCM of how the Earth’s biogeochemical cycles, and hydrology including human actions, interact with the ESWN…………………………………2 climate system. Together, they have made great strides in developing and Under the leadership of John Dunne and Ramaswamy named AGU applying predictive models of climate - Ronald Stouffer (GFDL), GFDL's efforts Fellow…………………………………2 the physics backbone of the ESM. are now focused on adding interactive Ranked among the world’s best, GFDL’s global carbon cycling and associated IPCC Lecture Series……………..3 climate models have been successful in chemical and ecological tracers, which representing the observed dynamics of El determine plant biomass and productivity. Orlanski’s Argentine Ties………3 Niño and drying in the African Sahel, and Elena Shevliakova, Sergey Malyshev providing good seasonal predictive skill, (both supported by CICS) and Stephan Transportation Update...... 4 however, current models simplify Pacala (Princeton University) are leading biogeochemical processes, such as the development of the new land model, Director’s Corner………………….4 carbon cycle – making future predictions which captures vegetation dynamics and less certain. Earth System Models will variations of land surface characteristics Research in Action……………….5 allow GFDL and Princeton scientists to due to natural and anthropogenic make better predictions of climate disturbances, including agriculture and AOS & CICS News………………..5 responses to greenhouse gas emissions forestry. George Hurtt and his colleagues and land use changes. at the University of New Hampshire, with

CICS support, constructed scenarios of dissolved organic matter, and dissolved Like GFDL’s climate models, the earth land use changes for the period 1700- inorganic species for carbon, nitrogen, system models are based on coupled 2000, which are used as a forcing for the iron, calcium carbonate, and oxygen atmosphere-ocean models with ESM historical experiments. Stephan cycling. Model tuning of river inputs, representations of land and sea ice Gerber and Lars Hedin (Princeton ocean acidification, calcium carbonate dynamics. These models employ a set of University, also supported by CICS) are cycling, and sediment processes is mathematical equations and physical leading the implementation of a new ongoing. parameterizations to study weather, model to track the fate of nitrogen in climate, and potential changes, both terrestrial systems including adaptive Building upon their success of the natural and anthropogenic. The nitrogen fixation, and carbon-nutrient integration of climate and carbon cycle atmospheric component of the model feedbacks manifested in down-regulation models, CICS and GFDL scientists plan includes representations of atmospheric of plant photosynthesis. to fully integrate nitrogen cycling into the circulation, cloud physics, aerosols, and atmosphere, land, river, and coastal precipitation. The land component In parallel to land model development components and apply this model to study simulates exchanges of water through efforts, John Dunne has developed a new problems of global and regional evapotranspiration to the atmosphere, and model of oceanic ecosystems and environmental change. This new ESM runoff through the rivers to the ocean. biogeochemical cycles. This state-of-the aims to link climate and biosphere The oceanic component includes features art model, which is based on partner dynamics with atmospheric chemistry to such as realistic fresh-water fluxes, research carried out originally by Jorge address multifaceted environmental currents, sea ice dynamics, and a state-of- Sarmiento’s group, tracks a suite of challenges. Their vision of global the-art representation of ocean mixing. tracers including three phytoplankton modeling is an integrated ESM, projecting

groups, animal and bacteria biomass, not only climate variability on seasonal to centennial timescales, but also advice to ESWN board members during meeting, and the group’s future plans, will biogeochemical and ecosystem cycling the meeting, including representatives be posted on the ESWN web site shortly. and biospheric feedbacks on the climate from the National Science Foundation ■ system. These collaborative efforts are ADVANCE program, Mentoring Physical certain to keep Princeton and GFDL at the Oceanography Women to Increase forefront of cutting-edge climate science Retention (MPOWIR), and the Committee Ramaswamy for the 21st century and beyond. On the Advancement of Women in ■ Chemistry (COACh). Named AGU Fellow Earth Science V. (Ram) Ramaswamy, Acting Director, Women’s Network Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory and AOS lecturer with rank of professor, has AOS Roots was recently named a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU). His The first meeting of the leadership board election to the rank of AGU Fellow was th of the Earth Science Women’s Network recognized on May 29 at an Honors (ESWN) was held at Sayre Hall in March Ceremony in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. From left to right: ESWN board members Kim 2008. ESWN is a peer-mentoring network Popendorf, Tracey Holloway, Christine Wiedinmyer, of women in the Earth Sciences, most in Allison Steiner, Arlene Fiore, Meredith Hastings, the early stages of their careers. Members Galen McKinley. work in nine countries, with the largest Missing from the photo are ESWN board members Erika Marin-Spiotta, Amanda Staudt, and Agatha representation from U.S. institutions, De Boer. including universities, government agencies, and research organizations. With the aim of lessening the isolation of Arlene Fiore (GFDL) and AOS alumna women scientists, sharing strategies for Tracey Holloway (University of balancing family and work, and Wisconsin) are founding members of exchanging resources for research and ESWN. Two current board members, career development, the ESWN has V. (Ram) Ramaswamy, Acting Director, GFDL & Galen McKinley and Agatha De Boer, grown from an informal peer network of AOS Lecturer with rank of professor were recently post-docs in the AOS six female scientists to over 600. Formed, program. in part, as a response to gender specific Ram joins the ranks of AOS colleagues barriers faced by female scientists in Michael Bender, Kirk Bryan, Isaac Held, ESWN informally took shape in 2002, at historically male-dominated fields, Hiram (Chip) Levy, Syukuro (Suki) the Washington, DC meeting of the ESWN addresses equity in hiring and Manabe, George Mellor, George American Geophysical Union (AGU) advancement, and the broader issues of Philander, and Jorge Sarmiento in when, together with two colleagues, work/family balance. Though the becoming an AGU fellow. He is the only Arlene Fiore organized a reception to Network, women scientists have found AGU Fellow from NOAA named this conclude a special session of the meeting. jobs, established research collaborations, year, and he is the fourth current GFDL What began as a friendly gathering and an and built a community that extends well scientist to be awarded this honor, joining exchange of emails between friends and beyond their affiliations, both in the U.S. Held, Levy, and Robbie Toggweiler. collaborators has evolved into a and abroad. community building, networking Since arriving at Princeton in 1985 as a opportunity for young career scientists Through their NCAR-sponsored listserv, Visiting Scientist in the AOS Program around the globe. ESWN has established connections for and during more than 20 years as a peer-mentoring and scientific research scientist at GFDL, Ram has At this first meeting, board members collaboration, sharing job announcements, come to be considered one of the leaders began planning a NOAA-funded discussing professional life, finding in climate modeling in the world. In workshop to be held in December, on roommates for meetings, and organizing addition to responsibilities as Acting leadership training for advancement get-togethers at conferences. ESWN, a Director, Ram is head of GFDL’s within scientific organizations. The clearinghouse of sorts, serves as a central Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry meeting also allowed members to discuss access point to connect women across all Group and is on the faculty of the direction of the organization, facets of the earth sciences. Membership Geosciences and the AOS Program, with organizational infra-structure, near- and is free and has grown exponentially over rank of Professor. Ram’s career has been long-term goals and strategies for the years through personal connections devoted to improving our understanding achieving these goals, as well as the value and “word of mouth.” For more of atmospheric radiation and provided by ESWN to the earth science information about ESWN’s mission and incorporating this understanding in community. membership, visit their website at: climate models. His published research (http://www.sage.wisc.edu/eswn/) or includes over 125 papers on climate in Leaders from other programs that support contact Arlene Fiore at GFDL. Outcomes refereed journals. Since 1992, he has women in science provided valuable of the discussions at the ESWN board been a Lead Author or Coordinating Lead Author for each of the assessment reports rank of Professor in Geosciences and focused his April 22nd talk on “Emissions for the Intergovernmental Panel for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Mitigation and Climate Stabilization.” Climate Change. He has also had a (AOS), presented a talk on “Evolution of Themes included the feasibility of climate leading role in the Climate Change climate science in the IPCC assessments: stabilization, fundamental change to the Science program, and is currently serving Understanding the 20th century climate global energy system, and applying a as the Vice-Chair of the World Climate change.” Ramaswamy provided a history price to carbon emissions. He has served Research Program. of the Intergovernmental Panel on as a lead author for all three major Climate Change and the role of Princeton assessments of the IPCC and numerous Each year AGU selects no more than one- and GFDL in climate research and interim assessment reports. Lessons from tenth of one percent of its membership to assessment efforts. Ramaswamy was the Climate Wars: The Future of the IPCC be named as Fellows. Election as an Coordinating Lead Author of the chapter was the final talk in the series and took AGU Fellow serves as acknowledgement on Changes in Atmospheric Constituents place on Wednesday, May 7th. Gary of the scientist’s eminence in the Earth (or and in Radiative Forcing and Author of Yohe, a Woodhouse/Sysco Professor of space) sciences over a sustained period, the Summary for Policymakers and the economics and Director of the John E. with significant impact on his or her field. Technical Summary of the IPCC 4th Andrus Public Affairs Center at Wesleyan ■ Assessment Report. He has been a Lead University spoke about adaptation and the Author or Coordinating Lead Author for potential damage of global climate each IPCC assessment report, since 1992. change. Yohe is a senior member and coordinating lead author of the IPCC. Lecture Series: “From science to assessment: Overview of the IPCC AR4 Working Group 1 The "Inside the Intergovernmental Panel Inside the IPCC Report," the third talk in the series, was on Climate Change: Science, Policy and given by Ron Stouffer, senior research Politics" lecture series was co-sponsored Science, Policy meteorologist in the Climate Dynamics by the Princeton Environmental Institute Group, GFDL and contributor to all four (PEI), Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson and Politics IPCC Working Group 1 Reports since School of Public and International Affairs 1990. Stouffer addressed how the IPCC (WWS) and the National Oceanic and Since late February, major contributors to arrives at consensus in the face of Atmospheric Administration’s the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate uncertainty, particularly when it comes to Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Change (IPCC), including CICS and predicting future climate change. Also (GFDL). ■ GFDL scientists, have participated in a noteworthy, he was an author of the spring lecture series, entitled “Inside the Summary for Policy Makers in both 2001 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate and 2007. Isodoro Orlanski’s Change: Science, Policy and Politics.” The series aimed to advance the Albert G. Milbank Professor of Argentine Ties discussion surrounding the latest scientific Geosciences and International Affairs, findings gathered in the 4th Assessment Michael Oppenheimer, was the speaker Isodoro Orlanski, a lecturer with rank of Report and the unique process of on Tuesday, April 1st. Entitled “Ice Professor in the AOS Program, recently coordinated scientific effort that defines Sheets and Sea Level Rise: How should spent six weeks as a guest of the the IPCC. IPCC handle deep uncertainty?,” his talk University of Buenos Aires (UBA) continued the broad conversation teaching a class and conducting Isaac Held, Professor of Geosciences and surrounding climate science and the role collaborative research with Dr. Silvina Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, and of the IPCC process in shaping the global Solman from CIMA/UBA (Centro de Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory dialogue. Oppenheimer was a Lead Investigaciones para el Mar y la (GFDL) Senior Research Scientist, Author of the chapter on “Assessing Key Atmosfera), an institution Orlanski opened the series on February 26th with Vulnerabilities and the Risk from Climate founded in the late eighties at the request his talk, entitled "The scientific basis for Change” and Author of the “Summary for of the Argentine government. Since that projections of climate change (In a Policymakers” and “Technical Summary” time, CIMA has served as a port-of-call nutshell): History, status, unsolved of the IPCC 4th Assessment Report. He for AOS alumni visiting Argentina, problems." He provided an overview of also contributed to the Working Group II including C. Mechoso, Z. Garaffo, M. the state of climate science and modeling Report "Impacts, Adaptation, and Barreiro, R. Matano, H. Figueroa, to name at the same time highlighting current Vulnerability”. only a few. Through the years, AOS challenges, particularly the problem of Faculty have also visited CIMA, parameterizing sub-grid scales features The series completed its program with including K. Miyakoda, A. Levy, V. such as clouds. Held was a lead author of climate luminaries Jae Edmonds and Gary Ramaswamy, and G. Philander. Today, the chapter on Regional Climate Yohe. Jae Edmonds, a senior staff the center, under the direction of Dr. Projections in the 2007 IPCC Assessment scientist and technical leader of economic Mario Nuñez, is dedicated to researching Report. programs at the Pacific Northwest and modeling the atmosphere and oceans

National Laboratory’s (PNNL) Joint and plays a unique role in South America The following week on March 6th, V. Global Change Research Institute and the by training scientists from neighboring (Ram) Ramaswamy, Acting Director and principal investigator for the Global countries in atmospheric and ocean Senior Scientist, GFDL and Lecturer with Energy Technology Strategy Program, modeling. A high point of Orlanski’s visit was when more than twenty students 2008. In the interim, the Geosciences van other faculty members in geophysics, signed up for “The elements of the is on loan to AOS until the transportation engineering, and statistics through the Coupled Climate Model,” a graduate level issue can be resolved. Graduate Student, interdepartmental AOS Program. All four course offered through the Department of Yves Plancherel, will continue to don his continue their scientific endeavors Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences and chauffer’s cap for the common good of working side-by-side with present-day taught by Orlanski. The course fellow “Forrestallians.” faculty, researchers, postdocs, and enrollment was noteworthy to those in the graduate students, a true testament to the In related news, campus parking decals department because graduate level success of the collaboration some 40 for lot 25 have recently been distributed to courses typically only attract a handful of years later. GFDL Faculty for use during the time students. when they are teaching classes. This not In 2003, recognizing the thriving Orlanski’s present research on the only shortens the trek to Guyot, but partnership between the University and precipitation of the subtropical regions of demonstrates that the transportation GFDL and the outstanding research South America is of particular concerns of our faculty are being program, NOAA designated Princeton as significance to those in the region. addressed. ■ a Joint Institute which provided an easy Nowhere was that interest more evident mechanism through which NOAA and than in an invitation from Alberto Arizu, GFDL would be able to fund various an agronomist and owner of the Luigi Director’s Corner projects at the University. Today, CICS Bosca winery which produces about 9 continues to provide a strong framework million liters of wine a year, to speak at for more readily transferring research his winery. Speaking to an audience of funds from NOAA to Princeton, a vintners, researchers from the agronomy significant benefit to the University and school of the local university, and others the AOS Program. Simply put, the CICS from research institutes of the wine cooperative agreement simplifies making industry, Orlanski discussed the NOAA’s funding of Princeton’s research. possible impact of climate change in

Argentina, the fifth largest wine producer The new cooperative agreement will in the world. According to Orlanski, cover a five year period between July 1, although it is tempting to speculate that Having recently completed the CICS 2008 and June 30, 2013 and follows the the increasingly higher alcohol levels of recompetition process for the continuation submission of a 77-page “recompetiton” wines from places like Australia, of the cooperative agreement between proposal which outlined the capabilities of California, and Argentina are the result of Princeton University and NOAA, it has CICS in Earth system modeling, with a a warming climate, it is difficult to prove. occurred to me that some of you may not particular emphasis on climate Other factors come into play such as how be all that familiar with the history of applications for decadal or longer long the grape hangs on the vine. One CICS and the cooperative agreement that timescales. Spearheaded by CICS thing is clear, however, climate and wine steers its course. I’d thought I’d share Associate Director, Geoff Vallis, the are intricately linked. For Orlanski, a with you a brief history of CICS and tell CICS proposal demonstrated exceptional wine aficionado of sorts, this particular you how we benefit from such an capabilities to provide research in three talk at the foot hills of the impressive agreement. areas: Earth system modeling and Andes mountain chain, in the province of analysis, data assimilation, and Earth Mendoza, was a trip highlight. ■ CICS was created as an outgrowth of over system model applications, while directly 40 years of successful collaboration addressing both NOAA’s mission needs between the University and GFDL. In and strategic plans for the 21st century. 1968, the affiliation between Princeton Throughout the proposal process, Geoff Transportation and GFDL began with GFDL’s relocation enlisted the scientific expertise of CICS to the Forrestal Campus, thanks, in part, Research Oceanographers, Alistair Update to AOS Faculty Emeritus, George Mellor, Adcroft and Sonya Legg, Associate then a professor of mechanical On behalf of our research staff and Research Scholars, Elena Shevliakova, engineering, who suggested that Princeton students, Jorge Sarmiento, Director of the Sara Mikaloff-Fletcher and Eric might be just the university setting that AOS Program and Laura Rossi, AOS Galbraith, and software architect, GFDL was looking for to broaden its Program Manager, have been working Venkatramani Balaji as well as the scope of its activities. Twelve months with Paul Breitman, General Manager for administrative expertise of Laura Rossi, after the initial conversation between University Services, to resolve the AOS Program Manager. I would like to Mellor and Joseph Smagorinsky, GFDL’s transportation issue that go hand-in-hand thank Geoff and “his team” for stepping founder, a memorandum of understanding with being located 3 miles from Main up to the challenge in my absence, while I was signed. The relocation of GFDL Campus. With input from Sarmiento and was on sabbatical in Europe. I am pleased from Pennsylvania Avenue, in Rossi, Breitman will be submitting a to report that the competitive renewal of Washington to Princeton brought with it proposal to the Provost and University CICS has been awarded and will pave the Senior Scientists Kirk Bryan, Syukuro Executive Vice President, Mark Burstein, way for five more years of innovative, (Suki) Manabe, and Kikuro Miyakoda to request “on call” shuttle service to and scientific research. ■ who were appointed visiting lecturers from the Forrestal Campus. If approved, with rank of professor. They taught the service would begin in September of graduate students and interacted with students to design modeling experiments AOS & CICS using MOM4 and run them on the supercomputer provided by the South Research in Action African Centre for High-Performance [This column is intended to focus on AOS & Computing in Cape Town. Instructors CICS research accomplishments and included V. Balaji (CICS); Marcelo milestones, past, present, and future. In this Barreiro, formerly of AOS, now at the Instituto de Física, Universidad de la issue, we highlight the ACCESS Climate Repứblica in Montevideo, Uruguay; Matt Modeling Workshop, Cape Town, South Harrison, Oceanographer at Africa.] NOAA/GFDL; and George Philander. GFDL 5K Run/ Walk for Mercy Corps

ACCESS, the Africa Centre for Climate First place awards were presented to and Earth System Science, is an institute This is anticipated to be one in a series of walkers Bonnie Samuels and Tony established in Cape Town to address some regular workshops taught by scientists Gordon and runners Kristen Findell and of the gaps in current climate science. It from Princeton and elsewhere at Laurent White. Participants in this was founded through the efforts of ACCESS. Future workshops will address handicapped event crossed the finish line George Philander, Professor, questions in geochemistry, modeling of just in time for the first GFDLEA Spring Geosciences, who stepped down as AOS the atmospheric circulation, and in Cookout. All participants received the Director to devote his attention to this climate system modeling, including the OFFICIAL GFDLEA 5k Fun Run tee undertaking. ACCESS has many goals: to use of the complete GFDL Earth system shirt designed by GFDL’s very own Keith address climate questions of particular model CM2. Dixon. Many thanks to Jasmin John who significance to Africa; to train a organized the cookout and Rich Gudgel generation of young scientists in the skills who helped kickoff cookout season with necessary to answer questions of great References: the GFDL 5k Run/Walk. social relevance to the region; to promote http://www.gfdl.noaa.gov/~vb/talks/acces scientific literacy in resource-poor nations s-za.pdf to enable them to ask the right questions http://picasaweb.google.com/hildatsp/Wor about the consequences of climate change kshop2008 ■ and adaptation pathways; to encourage collaboration between African scientists and climate scientists from resource-rich countries. Princeton University has listed AOS & CICS News Africa among its millennial grand challenges and is poised to play a key role Congratulations to the Newly in this effort. Elected GFDLEA Board GFDLEA Spring Cookout Members

GFDLEA’s next cookout is scheduled for President: Bill Hurlin Tuesday, June 10 (raindate: Thursday, Vice President: Fanrong Zeng June 12). The fee is $5 for GFDLEA Secretary: Kenny Nock members and $6 for non-members. A sign Treasurer: Robbie Toggweiler up sheet is located outside of Room 165 Board Members (2nd year): Jeff Flick, (Jeff Flick’s office). Payment is due by Jasmin John Monday, June 9th and may be given to Board Members (1st year): Niki Zadeh, Jeff, Fanrong Zeng (Rm. 365) or Niki Colin Morgan Zedah (Rm. 134B). Partial Group Shot, ACCESS Workshop, Cape Town Director of Entertainment: Marian Westley During March 2008, ACCESS conducted Arrivals: its first workshop on climate and Earth On Tuesday, May 6th, the GFDLEA and system science in the beautiful setting of the Ombuds program sponsored the third st the University of Cape Town. This Zhibin Sun arrived on March 1 , 2008 GFDL 5K Run/Walk. The focus of this and began working with Leo Oey to help workshop, focused on the ocean, ran for year's pledge drive was once again Mercy two weeks, March 10-20, 2008, and had develop and improve high-resolution Corps’ effort in Darfur. Thanks to as its centerpiece, the NOAA/GFDL ocean models, including MPI’s and data everyone who donated; $1,665.50 was assimilation methodologies, conduct Modular Ocean Model (MOM4). Students collected! from South Africa as well as elsewhere on process and data assimilation experiments the continent received training in the with these models, and analyze the large theory of the ocean circulation. They then set of model results in conjunction with learned to apply theory to idealized and observational data. He completed his comprehensive models of the ocean. The Ph.D at the Joint Center for Earth Systems hands-on workshop allowed groups of Technology (JCET), University of Maryland, Baltimore County and held a postdoctoral position there for six months prior to joining AOS.

Eun Young Kwon joined us on April 7th, 2008 and is working with Jorge Sarmiento and Anand Gnanadesikan on offline transport calculations for biogeochemical processes. She completed her Ph.D at the University of California, Irvine.

Marc Salzmann arrived on March 1st, 2008 and is working with Leo Donner on cloud microphysics and feedbacks in the GFDL general circulation model. He completed his Ph.D at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry.

David Paynter arrived on June 1, 2008 to work with V. Ramaswamy on the water vapor continuum. He completed his Ph.D at the University of Reading.

SAYRE HALL’S 8th & 9th

IRON CHEF COMPETITIONS

Fat Tuesday enthusiasts came together on February 5th for Sayre Hall’s Iron Chef VIII. Reigning Iron Chef Champion, Jennifer Simeon, passed the winning torch to Stephanie Henson for her ultra- velvet carnival chocolate cake with Valentine accents (Britain-Creole style). Laura Rossi came in a close second for her millegoglie (pastry puff) with grappa cream and strawberries. These triple- layer bites of pastry and cream filling topped with fresh strawberry slices, were served with homemade grappa -– a true carnevale tradition that is sure to chase away the winter chill! AOS Program Iron Chef IX was held on Monday, May Princeton University 5th … Cinco de Mayo. Sara Mikaloff Sayre Hall Fletcher came in first place wowing her 300 Forrestal Road colleagues with her eye-catching black Princeton, NJ 08544-0710 bean and mango salad with grilled ginger- lime shrimp in avocado cups. Always a Phone: strong contender, Anna Valerio placed (609) 258-6047 second with her sweet potato black bean burritos. Fax: (609) 258-2850

We’re on the Web! www.aos.princeton.edu

Editor: Joanne Curcio Email: [email protected]