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Climate change focus of Sept. 23 Director's Colloquium

An update on the state-of-the-art assessment of global climate change is the subject of a Director's Colloquium at 1:10 p.m., on Sept. 23 in the Physics Building Auditorium at Technical Area 3.

Warren Washington, senior scientist for the National Center for Atmospheric Research, will present the lecture, "Coupled Climate Modeling: Capturing the Past and Assessing the Future."

Evidence of recently observed climate change will be presented and compared with advanced climate model simulations of the recent past. The ability of climate models to capture the observed changes builds confidence in their use to predict potential future changes by the rapid increase in carbon dioxide emissions from fossil energy consumption. Washington will discuss what climate changes may be expected during the 21st century.

Washington's research utilizes a Community Climate System Model, which includes the Laboratory's ocean and sea-ice model. Washington's talk is important for energy security, which is an important thrust area at the Laboratory.

A description of present day climate models and methods used to solve relevant mathematical equations also will be a topic of discussion.

"Climate has always changed. So what is unique about what has happened over the last century or so?" asked Washington. "Many climate research scientists now believe that mankind is changing the Earth's environmental system and that the global warming is taking place."

Washington is chair of the National Science Board in Washington D.C. He also is a panel member of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the National Academies of Science Coordinating Committee on Global Change. Washington also is recognized for his active role in mentoring African American scientists and engineers.

Washington earned a master's degree in meteorology and a bachelor's degree in physics from Oregon State University. He later earned a doctoral degree in meteorology from Pennsylvania State University.

The colloquium will be broadcast on Labnet Channel 9 and can be accessed through the Internet using Real Media Live software.

For more information, contact Manvendra Dubey of Hydrology, Geochemistry and Geology (EES-6) at 5 3128 or write to dubey@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Additional information on Director's Colloquiums can be obtained at http://stb.lanl.gov/program/colloquium.shtml online.

-- Michael Carlson

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