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Climate change

Belgian global change research 1990-2002. Climate change. Pr. J.P. van Ypersele, Université catholique de Louvain With support from: Ph. Van Haver, S. Van Homwegen, E. Vanvyve, V. Coulon, and Ph. Marbaix. Questions 1-5. How is the earth’s climate changing now?

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Climate change

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  1. Belgian global change research 1990-2002 Climate change Pr. J.P. van Ypersele, Université catholique de LouvainWith support from: Ph. Van Haver, S. Van Homwegen, E. Vanvyve, V. Coulon, and Ph. Marbaix

  2. Questions 1-5 • How is the earth’s climate changing now? • Is present climate change different from past climate change? • Why has the climate changed in the past? • Why is climate changing now? • How will climate likely change during the 21st century?

  3. Questions 6-10 • 6. Are unexpected climate events possible in the longer term? • 7. Will climate change affect atmospheric ozone? • 8. Will the Kyoto Protocol save the climate? • 9. Where has Belgian research made a difference in the international effort? • 10. Key uncertainties to be adressed 12 years of researches can not be summarized in 10 minutes, only limited snapshots will be shown.

  4. How is the climate changing now ? 1833 2002 Annually-averaged surface air temperature at Brussels-Uccle, 1833 > 2002 (IRM) (fig 2.5, p67)

  5. 1980 1990 2000 How is the climate changing now ? (2) Sea-ice thickness decreases as well: (b) (a) In the Arctic Ocean, the sea-ice surface is decreasing at an average rate of 25.000 km2 / year (nearly the surface of Belgium) (fig 2.10, p70)(Source: ULB-GLACIOL)

  6. How is the climate changing now ? (3) Tropical regions : Rising temperatures at Bujumbura,Tanganyika lake. Links with ENSO (El Niño), lake productivity studied by ENSO and CLIMLAKE teams (RUG, MRAC, UCL, FUNDP, ULg). (fig 2.12, p71)

  7. Is present change different from past ? +0.4C 0 C -0.2C 2000 1000 1500 1800 Climate of the last millennium : . climate reconstructions (dark and light blue) . global 3D atmosphere-sea-ice-ocean model (grey; red=mean) (UCL-ASTR) (fig 2.17, p73)

  8. Is present change different from past ? Model simulation over the last glacial cycle (VUB) ice-covered area : at the last glacial maximum, time evolution (last 120 000 Y, change connected with earth orbit)

  9. How will climate change during the 21st century ? • In addition to researches seeking to better know and understand the “global picture” of the anthropogenic warming, other studies involves more detailed and regional aspects. Model results for the retreat of the Sofiyskiy Glacier (Altai Mountains, South Siberia), which may completely disappear (VUB-DG)

  10. 0 with T and precip from model 1 (CGCM1) with T and precip from model 2 (ECHAM4) Total basin discharge (mm/month) 0 How will climate change during the 21st century ? 3 hydrological models / Gete basin(IRM, KULeuven, FUSAGx, ULg) (fig 2.35, p91) • The more greenhouse gases, the more warming and damages • Uncertainties are still large and relates to serious issues, e.g. flooding and/or drought severity

  11. Unexpected longer-term events ? (fig 2.28, p82) • Atmosphere-ice-ocean interactions around Antarctica involve complex processes. • - The West Antarctic ice sheet is potentially unstable; its melting may contributetoa large long-term sea-level rise (ULB-GLACIOL)

  12. Conclusions • Belgian climate research has contributed significantly to international research efforts such as WCRP, IGBP, and to the IPCC. • It has contributed to show and quantify the sensitivity of the earth’s climate to natural and human factors • It is time for action, way beyond Kyoto, and research is needed also about solutions, and obstacles to their implementation • BUT fundamental climate research continues to be essential for providing the best quality framework for prevention.

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