New training for climate modellers

Earth System Models (ESMs) have been used for decades as a tool to better understand climate change. These models are constantly refined and improved as our knowledge improves on how various environmental phenomena interact.

The EU has funded a research training programme called 'Anticipating climate change and biospheric feedbacks within the Earth system to 2200' (GREENCYCLESII) to provide ESM skills to a new generation of climate researchers. The programme exposed 23 early-stage researchers and 7 experienced researchers to a wide range of skills and experiences. In total, GREENCYCLESII ran eight training workshops and four mini-conferences over three years.

Project funding of research into ESM resulted in a number of publications in high-profile journals such as Nature and Quaternary Science Reviews.

Key research outcomes include developing several new data sets for ESMs, and a comprehensive review of currently available data. Researchers also evaluated the latest carbon cycle simulations and improved the modelling of thawing permafrost.

GREENCYCLESII has thus advanced ESMs and climate change modelling, and provided 30 young researchers with skills and experience to further their careers.