1ACE aims to understand natural and anthropogenic changes in the biosphere and climate of the Arctic and northern circumpolar regions, using a combination of modelling tools and observations, which draw on expertise, data, equipment and infrastructure uniquely available at the WUN nodes.
Why focus on the Arctic?
Why another Arctic initiative?
What distinguishes 1ACE?
What is the 1ACE strategy?
Why focus on the Arctic?
- The Arctic is uniquely exposed to climate change because of powerful positive feedbacks between sea-surface conditions, ecosystems and the atmosphere. Only in the Arctic is it possible to examine all the factors involved in determining climate change
- The Arctic is already experiencing rapid changes (e.g. vegetation, sea ice)
- The Arctic has experienced large and rapid changes in the recent geological past (e.g. vegetation change)
Why another Arctic initiative?
- Existing organisations either set agendas internationally or fund nationally - there are no frameworks to support a coherent international research programme
- Substantive progress in understanding the complex interrelated climate systems active in the Arctic will require a breadth and depth of resources not present in a single country let alone a single university
- Geographical and historical interests mean that expertise, data and infrastructure is distributed across many countries
What distinguishes 1ACE?
- It is not a programme or agenda-setting initiative → definite & concrete research project demanding interactions
- It is not limited involvement activity → multi-national (particularly linking US-Europe-China, but with remit to involve the best)
- Expertise → together the WUN nodes have the critical mass to carry out such a project → synergy
What is the 1ACE strategy?
- A coherent multi- and inter-disciplinary programmes based in centres of excellence
- To use IT mediated approaches to support sustained collaboration at a distance
- To link interdisciplinary academic communities across themes within foci
- To benefit from bringing modellers and observationalists together
- To bring together disparate information & resources located in many countries
- To incorporate modern process understanding
- To test in the past before applying to the future
Project Outline
Project Presentation
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