PROJECT
OptimESM – Optimal High Resolution Earth System Models for Exploring Future Climate Changes
- Geographical scope:Regional
- Time horizon:2022 - 2026
- Initial Release:October 2022
- Institution(s):SWEDISH METEROLOGICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL INSTITUTE (SMHI) (Co-ordinator), Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Météo-France, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), National Supercomputing Facility in Spain (BSC-CNS), Lund University, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Postdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Ilmatieteen laitos, Centre Européen de Recherche et de Formation Avancée en Calcul Scientifique (CERFACTS), CINECA, Met Office, University of Leeds, National Oceanography Centre (NOC), University of Bristol, University of Reading, University of Exter
- Link:https://www.smhi.se/en/research/research-departments/climate-research-at-the-rossby-centre/research-projects/optimal-high-resolution-earth-system-models-for-exploring-future-climate-change-1.191689
OptimESM will provide new and policy-relevant knowledge on the consequences of reaching or exceeding different levels of global warming, including the risk of rapid change in key Earth system phenomena and the regional impacts arising both from the level of global warming and the occurrence of abrupt changes.
The new climate models will combine high resolution with an unprecedented description of key physical and biochemical processes. OptimESM will develop new emission and land-use scenarios extending to the year 2300, including ones that realise the Paris Agreement, and others that temporarily or permanently overshoot the Paris targets. Using these scenarios, OptimESM will deliver long-term projections that will increase our understanding of the risk of triggering potential tipping points in the climate system regarding ice sheets, sea ice, ocean circulation, marine ecosystems, permafrost and terrestrial ecosystems.
