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In an analysis of the CMIP6 Survey, most users found the CMIP6 Data Request to be too complex with too little documentation. However the value in a consistent Data Request was also commonly reported. The survey also found significant tensions, including:
- Data users wanting more variables but data producers struggling with the size of request, and
- Those wanting fewer updates to the Data Request with others wanting more regular version releases.
Development of the CMIP7 Data Request
The Data Request Task Team have developed an activity that works with community representatives to devise a controlled list of high priority variables that facilitate the majority of user needs. This activity relies on feedback from the community on variables needed from CMIP7 experiments and the scientific opportunities they can help to investigate through public consultation.
To coordinate this process, five thematic author teams were set up in 2024 to facilitate community engagement and develop GMD papers outlining their work and decisions. The five themes are Atmosphere, Earth System, Impacts and Adaptation, Land and Land-ice, and Ocean and Sea-ice. The full author directory can be viewed here.
Public consultations
The Harmonised Thematic Variables process is being facilitated through a series of public consultations, to accompany and enhance the work of the thematic author groups. Phase 1 of public. consultation closed on 18 October 2024, and led to the release of the CMIP7 Data Request v1.0 via the interim v1.0beta release.
To those MIPs and Modelling Centres who provided feedback during our v1.0beta release – thank you! This feedback was instrumental in the improving the content ready for the v1.0 release.
The second phase of consultation opens today, on 6th December 2024. The key goal of this consultation phase is to ensure that the next version, v1.1 of the CMIP7 Data Request is stable enough for modelling centres to begin configuring their workflows, particularly for piControl and historical experiments. This includes understanding how different centres will prioritise different Opportunities.
During this consultation, we request feedback from MIPs, Modelling Centres, and other coordinated community activities to assess the Data Request content in v1.0. For groups and activities who responded during v1.0beta, there is no need to respond again unless you wish to update your previous responses.
Deadline for contributions (for consideration before v1.1 release): 17th January 2025
Deadline for contributions (for consideration before v1.2 release): 18th March 2025
