Goal: Our goal is to use new EO data to quantify changes in the mass balance of the cryosphere and to develop new models to represent the relevant processes in coupled climate prediction models
Partners and Customers: British Antarctic Survey (BAS), National Oceanographic Centre Southampton (NOCS), Met Office/Hadley Centre, Defra (Department for Food and Rural Affairs)
Some of the most compelling signs of climate change are found at high latitudes. The coupled evolution of sea-ice and ocean circulation remains a source of great uncertainty for predicting the global effects of climate change. The Arctic, which may become ice free in a matter of decades is a primary focus of the International Polar Year (IPY) and is highlighted in NERC's strategy. Processes involving sea-ice in the region, not only affect local heat budgets, but are also strongly tied to the rest of the climate system via the ocean thermohaline circulation. We will be using data from new EO sources to guide and to integrate the collection of in situ data, new models will be developed to define physical processes that control changes in the cryosphere.
Our priorities include:
