CRiceS

CRiceS is coordinated by the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI; Dr. Risto Makkonen) with the following partner institutions: CNRS, CICERO, Stockholm Univ., NPI, CMCC, SYKE, UCT, Univ. Cape Town, Univ. Helsinki, Univ. Bergen, Univ. Bremen, CSIC-ICM, Univ. College London, AWI, BAS, EPFL, Univ. Groningen, Univ. Victoria, Univ. Calgary, NPCOR, ICM&MG.

AWI consortium of the section Atmospheric Physics, Potsdam: Dr. Marion Maturilli, Dr. Sandro Dahlke

AWI PI: Dr. Marion Maturilli, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Telegrafenberg A45N, 14473 Potsdam, Germany, +49 (0) 331 2882109, Marion.Maturilli@awi.de

The overarching objective of CRiceS is to deliver improved understanding of the physical, chemical, and biogeochemical interactions within the Ocean-Ice-Atmosphere (OIA) system, new knowledge of polar and global climate, and enhanced ability of society to respond to climate change. The unique and broad interdisciplinary expertise within CRiceS allows us to quantify the characteristics and functioning of the OIA system in the past, present and future (across diverse timescales) and its role from regional to global spatial scales.

The project concept centers around linking knowledge of OIA processes from observations to models that deliver updated/improved climate projections which can be used for polar and global risk identification and impact assessments. CRiceS recognizes that observations of the Earth system are the fundamental basis for knowledge of how the underlying processes operate. We connect knowledge from observations to process improvements for how to describe the polar OIA system within models. We apply existing and improved models in new and innovative ways to quantify climate interactions and teleconnections between system components and regions (e.g. polar low-latitude interactions/teleconnections) that occur through the ocean and atmosphere. Finally, we use existing and updated model projections to complete a comprehensive climate risk and impact assessment with a specific focus on how more accurate descriptions of OIA processes within the polar regions modify our understanding of risks and impacts at and beyond the poles. The CRiceS overall concept is organized around the four scientific Core Themes (1) Heat, mass and momentum exchanges, (2) Aerosols and clouds, (3) Biogeochemical cycles/greenhouse gas exchange, and (4) Integrated system understanding, which will interact strongly using an iterative workflow.

WP1 will produce integrated knowledge of how sea ice and its snow cover are coupled to oceanic and atmospheric processes using ongoing and existing observations (in-situ and satellite) and existing model output. We use a multidisciplinary approach to gain new understanding of key processes and evaluate their current representation in models and produce recommendations for how to improve model parameterizations.

AWI contribution led by Dr. Marion Maturilli and Dr. Sandro Dahlke.

WP2 translates the improved process-understanding from WP1 to new and refined OIA process descriptions within models. Novel model formulations will be implemented for OIA processes that are identified as the main cause for model shortcomings.

WP3 will quantify processes that drive interactions and teleconnections between the lower latitudes (e.g. sub-polar, temperate and tropical regions) and the polar regions, incorporating model improvements from WP2. This is achieved through a combination of dedicated ESM and GCM (general circulation model) experiments and comprehensive analyses of recent and upcoming multi-model output (e.g. new large-ensemble datasets). In addition, WP3 will provide recommendations and constraints for WP4 on how physically/chemically more comprehensive process descriptions can be used to produce more robust and reliable projections.

WP4 will generate revised climate projections for selected future scenarios using global climate and Earth system models exploiting improved chemical and physical descriptions developed within WP2 and guided by model experiments performed in WP3. A comparison of existing and new global climate projections will establish the effects of improved process understanding on the past and future evolution of polar and global climates. We also use new and existing projections to assess climate hazards/risks and impacts in order to improve the capability to adapt to and respond to polar and global environmental changes.

A data management team will ensure that observational and model results are in appropriate formats and are following best practices and guidelines on data to be findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable, quality-checked, documented and available for project partners, as well as stakeholders, the science community and for regional/international assessments (AMAP, IPCC, etc.). Project data (observational synthesis, model results, codes) will be made publicly available according to the Horizon 2020 Open Research Data Pilot, utilizing EUDAT services and emerging European Open Science Cloud platforms.

This WP is dedicated to knowledge transfer, public outreach activities, stakeholder engagement, as well as collaboration and cross-fertilization between CRiceS and research networks and other ongoing projects. WP6 will synthesize results obtained within CRiceS to provide targeted information for stakeholders, including local and indigenous communities, the Arctic Council, The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, and policy makers.

WP7 operates internal communication, workshops and project management. CRiceS management will promote equal opportunities and participation of underrepresented groups including gender equity, particularly in positions of leadership (50% female leadership at present) as well as opportunities for media presence/events.