Global Energy and Water Exchanges

Global Energy and Water Exchanges. It is a core project of the World Climate Research Programme dedicated to understanding Earth's water cycle and energy budget. The project focuses on observations, modeling, and analysis to improve predictions of weather and climate. Its work is fundamental to addressing global challenges related to water resources and climate change.

Scientific Objectives and Core Questions

The primary scientific objectives center on quantifying the variability in the global hydrological cycle and its energetic drivers. Core questions investigate how changes in atmospheric composition, such as increased greenhouse gases, alter the fluxes of latent heat and sensible heat. Researchers aim to determine the predictability of precipitation and evapotranspiration across scales from local watersheds to entire continental regions. A major goal is to reduce uncertainties in climate models regarding feedbacks between clouds, radiation, and the land surface. This work directly supports the missions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and informs international frameworks like the Paris Agreement.

Observational Programs and Field Campaigns

A cornerstone of its research is a suite of long-term observational projects. The GEWEX Hydroclimatology Panel oversees initiatives like the Coordinated Energy and Water Cycle Observations Project, which integrates data from satellites such as those from NASA and the European Space Agency. Major field campaigns have been conducted in diverse regions, including the Large-Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia and the Baltic Sea Experiment. These efforts often involve agencies like the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Recent campaigns focus on critical areas like the Third Pole and the Arctic, utilizing instruments on platforms like the CloudSat and CALIPSO satellites.

Modeling and Data Integration

The project drives the development and intercomparison of advanced Earth system models. Key activities are coordinated through the GEWEX Modeling and Prediction Panel, which organizes experiments like the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project. A major achievement is the creation of integrated data products, such as the International Satellite Land Surface Climatology Project datasets. These efforts merge observations from the Global Precipitation Measurement mission with outputs from models like those at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. The goal is to produce consistent, long-term records of essential variables for the scientific community, aiding institutions like the Met Office.

Key Scientific Findings and Impacts

Research has yielded transformative insights into the global water cycle. Studies have quantified an intensification of the cycle, linking increased atmospheric moisture to warming observed in places like the Mediterranean Sea. Work on land-atmosphere interactions has improved understanding of drought mechanisms, such as those during the Dust Bowl. Findings on aerosol effects on monsoon systems have informed policy in regions like South Asia. The project's data are critical for assessing extreme events, supporting organizations like the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the World Meteorological Organization.

Organizational Structure and International Collaboration

The project is governed by a Scientific Steering Group and supported by the International GEWEX Project Office. It operates under the auspices of the World Climate Research Programme, which is co-sponsored by the World Meteorological Organization, the International Science Council, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. Collaboration is facilitated through regional panels, such as the GEWEX Americas Prediction Project and the Asian Monsoon Years. It partners with numerous entities, including the German Aerospace Center, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Indian Space Research Organisation. This structure ensures a coordinated global effort, contributing to major international assessments and the Global Climate Observing System.

Category:Climate change organizations Category:Hydrology organizations Category:World Climate Research Programme