Richard Somerville
Encyclopedia
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California, is one of the oldest and largest centers for ocean and earth science research, graduate training, and public service in the world...
, University of California, San Diego
University of California, San Diego
The University of California, San Diego, commonly known as UCSD or UC San Diego, is a public research university located in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California, United States...
, USA, where he has been a professor since 1979.
Early life
Somerville was born in Washington, DC, USA on 30 May 1941. He received a B. S. in meteorology from Pennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
in 1961 and a Ph.D. in meteorology
Meteorology
Meteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries...
from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
in 1966.
Academic career
Somerville is a theoretical meteorologist and an expert on computer simulations of the atmosphereAtmosphere
An atmosphere is a layer of gases that may surround a material body of sufficient mass, and that is held in place by the gravity of the body. An atmosphere may be retained for a longer duration, if the gravity is high and the atmosphere's temperature is low...
. His research is on the physics of clouds and their role in the climate system. His interests include all aspects of climate, including climate science outreach and the interface between science and public policy. This research is reflected by a long list of publications in highly respected, peer reviewed journals. He comments frequently on climate and environmental issues for the media. He formally retired in 2007 but remains active in research, education and outreach. Somerville is presently involved in a major research program at the Center for Multiscale Modeling of Atmospheric Processes where he is investigating the development of cloud-radiation parameterizations.
Honors
Among his honors to date, Somerville has received awards from the American Meteorological SocietyAmerican Meteorological Society
The American Meteorological Society promotes the development and dissemination of information and education on the atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic sciences and the advancement of their professional applications. Founded in 1919, the American Meteorological Society has a membership...
for both his research and his popular book, The Forgiving Air: Understanding Environmental Change, a new edition of which was published in 2008 (ISBN 9781878220851). He was a Coordinating Lead Author for the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a scientific intergovernmental body which provides comprehensive assessments of current scientific, technical and socio-economic information worldwide about the risk of climate change caused by human activity, its potential environmental and...
Fourth Assessment report (IPCC AR4).
Advocacy and Outreach
Richard Somerville was an organizer and signatory of the 2007 Bali Declaration by Climate ScientistsBali Declaration by Climate Scientists
The 2007 was a statement signed by over 200 climate scientists advocating specific targets for greenhouse gas emissions for the 21st century. The statement was based on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that committed signatories to the "...stabilization of greenhouse gas...
. Throughout 2009 he worked with an international team of 26 leading climate scientists to prepare the Copenhagen Diagnosis
Copenhagen Diagnosis
The Copenhagen Diagnosis is a report written by twenty six climate scientists from eight countries. It was published in 2009 and was a summary of the peer reviewed literature to date....
. The Copenhagen Diagnosis was released in the lead-up to the UNFCCC COP15 conference in Copenhagen. It synthesizes the most recent scientific findings from hundreds of peer reviewed papers in areas such as greenhouse gas emissions, sea level, glaciers, tipping points and extreme climate events, among other key topics.
In early 2010 Somerville recorded a series of interviews with ABC news in which he discusses "Four Big Questions of Global Warming", "Disinformation and Medical Metaphors for Climate Change" and "Our Global Warming Game of Chicken".
Other interviews, lectures and popular writings can be found on Somerville's web site.