Streamlining model selection – a collaborative virtual workshop
5 February @ 19:00 – 22:00 GMT
Context and workshop objectives
An ongoing challenge for climate data users is the time taken between the global climate simulations and the provision of data relevant to end users. CMIP, together with colleagues in CORDEX, ISIMIP, ISMIP7, GlacierMIP and others, have identified the need for a collaborative effort to streamline this process. There are opportunities for progress through sharing of best practice, investigating the potential of shared selection criteria, improved communication and data infrastructures, and the development of community tools.
To progress towards this shared goal, the aims of this collaborative workshop are:
- Identifying the issues/challenges in the current framework, both scientific and technical.
- Developing shared understanding of model selection techniques/approaches used across the communities.
- Determining if shared criteria for model selection is required and possible.
- Establishing tangible structures to support improved communication between modelling centres and downstream activities.
- Accelerate the process from the creation of global simulations to regional downscaling and impact modelling and finally, the provision of data to end users.
- Determining the needs for and identifying pathways to developing and funding the scientific and technical frameworks required to deliver to users.
- Realistically assessing whether achieving this within CMIP7 is feasible, or the focus should be on laying groundwork for a longer term plan.
Workshop programme
An overview programme can be found below:
| Time (UTC) | Topic |
|---|---|
| 19:00-19:20 | Welcome and meeting objectives (Christian Steger, DWD) |
| 19:20-19:35 | Sharing examples of current best practice EURO-CORDEX for CMIP6 CORDEX-Australasia CMIP6 for Australian national projections Model selection for RCM downscaling in ISMIP6 The ISIMIP approach (tbc) |
| 19:55-20:00 | Preparing the breakout: Scientific challenges |
| 20:00-20:30 | BREAKOUT GROUPS: Scientific challenges What are the most appropriate criteria for selecting a subset of GCMs from the CMIP ensemble for later usage in downstream activities? How to deal with different selections of GCM/ESM in different regions? Selection of realisation for each GCM/ESM. Addressing needs of different communities/activities in criteria selection Getting the best out of applications that require sub-selection (e.g., CORDEX) together with new techniques (e.g., Machine learning emulation) |
| 20:30-20:40 | BREAK: Time for a drink and stretch! |
| 20:40-20:45 | Preparing the breakout: Technical/infrastructure challenges |
| 20:45-21:15 | BREAKOUT GROUPS: Technical/infrastructure challenges Where are we now? The Rapid Evaluation Framework – what could it offer? Can all GCM data for the evaluation process be provided (in time)? Can we provide the full set of required data (e.g., sub-daily fields) for all simulations of interest? Common infrastructure for storing data and performing the analysis? Delivering data (CMIP, CORDEX) more rapidly and sustainably (long term infrastructure funding) How to deal with non-scientific factors (model similarity, data availability, policy and funding drivers, project requirements, other commitments, different timelines of projects/countries for reports, …) |
| 21:15-21:35 | Feedback from breakout groups |
| 21:35-21:55 | What have we learned during the workshop and what are next steps? Immediate actions required Follow up workshop (virtual/in person) Format of outcomes – commentary paper, whitepaper etc. |
| 21:55-22:00 | Final comments and meeting close |
Scientific organising committee
- Christian Steger (DWD)
- Sophie Nowicki (University at Buffalo)
- Michael Grose (CSIRO Climate Science Centre)
- Antony Payne (University of Liverpool)
- Silvina Solman (University of Buenos Aires)
- Katja Frieler/PIK (ISIMIP)
- Helene Hewitt (Met Office, CMIP Panel Co-chair)
- Eleanor O’Rourke (CMIP IPO)
Registration and questions
To register to attend the workshop please complete this form.
If you have any questions please contact the CMIP IPO.
