Abstract
How to reduce the uncertainty in anthropogenic climate forcing? – Connecting scales, methodologies and people is the key
The atmosphere is a multiphase system consisting of both gas molecules and liquid or solid phase aerosol particles. The role of aerosol particles, especially their interactions with clouds, are still among the key uncertainties when quantifying the exact effects that human activities have had on the Earth’s radiative balance during the industrial period. This uncertainty also affects future projections and therefore our knowledge about the best path towards reading the goals of the Paris agreement – hence having direct implications for politics. Enhancing the understanding of the fundamental thermodynamics and microphysics of atmospheric aerosol and cloud hydrometeor populations is at the heart of reducing the uncertainty in the climate effects of aerosols and clouds. One of the critical challenges in translating the knowledge emerging from smaller scales to estimates on global and regional scale impacts. Besides the challenges related to the scientific knowledge gaps, a key bottleneck is also related to the knowledge transfer between the various communities working on the climate problem. In this talk, the speaker will highlight some key advances in the physical understanding of atmospheric composition and the climate system, and reflect on the importance of diversity in advancing atmospheric science using concrete examples. At the end of the talk, the floor will be open for discussion on good practices in enhancing scientific knowledge transfer between people and communities with diverse backgrounds and value bases.