A research program on earth system science with special emphasis on global climate change

• Grant number: 07/58726-6
• Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - University-Industry Cooperative Research (PITE)
• Start date: May 01, 2008
• End date: April 30, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Afonso Nobre
• Grantee: Carlos Afonso Nobre
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• City: São José dos Campos
• Partner institutions: Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil)

Abstract

Earth System science (ESS) addresses the changes that are occurring at the planetary level, and the implications of these changes for global and local sustainability. This science refers not only to the natural sciences but also to the human dimensions. In general terms, the purpose of the ESS research is to understand the physical-ecological- anthropogenic systems as complex and dynamic interacting entities. ESS is a new paradigm in which the Earth's environment is seen as being influenced by the dynamic interaction of natural and social systems. The objective of the research project if to support the development in Brazil of scientific capacity to observe, model analyze and integrate components of the Earth System. The focus of ESS in Brazil will be to explore the interfaces of global environmental change and issues of relevance to regional development, particularly those associated to Brazil and South America and to provide information for Earth System governance. This project will foster the development of advanced Earth System models and observations in Brazil, including global and regional and climate models. Towards that goal, the project will implement a state-of-the-art supercomputer facility at INPE for use by the Brazilian scientific community to advance modeling of the ES and production of scenarios of global environmental change, specially global climate change of interest and relevance to Brazil and South America. (AU)