EdGCM
Encyclopedia
The Educational Global Climate Model or EdGCM is a fully functional global climate model
(GCM) that has been ported for use on desktop computers (Windows PCs and Macs). It operates through a graphical user interface
and is integrated with a relational database
and scientific visualization utllities, all of which are aimed at helping improve the quality of teaching and learning of climatology
by making real-world research experiences more accessible. EdGCM is designed to permit teachers and students to conduct in-depth investigations of past, present and future climate scenarios in a manner that is essentially identical to the techniques used by national and international climate research organizations like the IPCC
.
EdGCM was developed at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies
as a joint project of Columbia University and NASA scientists and programmers. The Global Climate Model
at the core of EdGCM is referred to in the scientific literature as the GISS Model II. During the 1980s and early 1990s this GCM was one of NASA's primary research tools used in the study of global climate change. Results from the model have appeared in hundreds of scientific publications and have been used in testimony about climate change to the U. S. congress.
The coarser resolution of the climate model in EdGCM (8° x 10°, latitude x longitude) makes it inexpensive to run. But, because it contains most of the key atmospheric physics of modern GCMs, EdGCM is also used by climate researchers worldwide who would otherwise not have access to the most recent, computationally expensive, versions of GCMs.
Global climate model
A General Circulation Model is a mathematical model of the general circulation of a planetary atmosphere or ocean and based on the Navier–Stokes equations on a rotating sphere with thermodynamic terms for various energy sources . These equations are the basis for complex computer programs commonly...
(GCM) that has been ported for use on desktop computers (Windows PCs and Macs). It operates through a graphical user interface
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
and is integrated with a relational database
Relational database
A relational database is a database that conforms to relational model theory. The software used in a relational database is called a relational database management system . Colloquial use of the term "relational database" may refer to the RDBMS software, or the relational database itself...
and scientific visualization utllities, all of which are aimed at helping improve the quality of teaching and learning of climatology
Climatology
Climatology is the study of climate, scientifically defined as weather conditions averaged over a period of time, and is a branch of the atmospheric sciences...
by making real-world research experiences more accessible. EdGCM is designed to permit teachers and students to conduct in-depth investigations of past, present and future climate scenarios in a manner that is essentially identical to the techniques used by national and international climate research organizations like the IPCC
IPCC
IPCC may refer to:*Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, of the United Nations*Independent Police Complaints Commission, of England and Wales*Irish Peatland Conservation Council...
.
Goddard Institute for Space Studies
The NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies , at Columbia University in New York City, is a component laboratory of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Earth-Sun Exploration Division and a unit of The Earth Institute at Columbia University...
as a joint project of Columbia University and NASA scientists and programmers. The Global Climate Model
Global climate model
A General Circulation Model is a mathematical model of the general circulation of a planetary atmosphere or ocean and based on the Navier–Stokes equations on a rotating sphere with thermodynamic terms for various energy sources . These equations are the basis for complex computer programs commonly...
at the core of EdGCM is referred to in the scientific literature as the GISS Model II. During the 1980s and early 1990s this GCM was one of NASA's primary research tools used in the study of global climate change. Results from the model have appeared in hundreds of scientific publications and have been used in testimony about climate change to the U. S. congress.
The coarser resolution of the climate model in EdGCM (8° x 10°, latitude x longitude) makes it inexpensive to run. But, because it contains most of the key atmospheric physics of modern GCMs, EdGCM is also used by climate researchers worldwide who would otherwise not have access to the most recent, computationally expensive, versions of GCMs.
See also
- NASANASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
Goddard Institute for Space StudiesGoddard Institute for Space StudiesThe NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies , at Columbia University in New York City, is a component laboratory of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Earth-Sun Exploration Division and a unit of The Earth Institute at Columbia University... - NCAR Community Climate System ModelCommunity Climate System ModelThe Community Climate System Model is a coupled Global Climate Model developed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research with funding from the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and NASA...
- NOAA GFDL CM2.XGFDL CM2.XGFDL CM2.X is a coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model developed at the NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory in the United States...
- Earth SimulatorEarth SimulatorThe Earth Simulator , developed by the Japanese government's initiative "Earth Simulator Project", was a highly parallel vector supercomputer system for running global climate models to evaluate the effects of global warming and problems in solid earth geophysics...
- HadCM3HadCM3HadCM3 is a coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model developed at the Hadley Centre in the United Kingdom...
- explanation of an AOGCM
External links
- EdGCM at Columbia University