pdf SCAR XXXI WP13: Report on Antarctic Climate Evolution (ACE)

SCAR XXXI WP13: Report on Antarctic Climate Evolution (ACE)

Executive Summary

Title: SCAR SRP Antarctic Climate Evolution (ACE)

Authors: C. Escutia and R. DeConto (ACE co-chairs)

Relevant URLs or references to other reports:

http://antarcticclimate.blogspot.com

http://www.csam.montclair.edu/earth/eesweb/scar_ace

(note: two obsolete links removed)

Introduction/ Background: ACE represents the interests of a large land and marine geoscience research community focusing in deciphering the record of the onset and the response of the Antarctic ice sheets to past climate changes across a range of time scales. ACE coordinates the integration between geophysical and geological records of past ice sheet behavior and coupled ice sheet models. The Programme has a planned lifetime of 2005-2013.

Important Issues or Factors: Since ACE’s last Report to Delegates in SCAR OSC 2008 and the very positive review of ACE by SCAR in 2008/9, ACE has continued to be very active in its primary coordination role, catalyzing interactions amongst the SCAR and scientists from the climate, ocean and ice coring communities. This was mainly achieved through the First ACE Symposium in Granada (Spain, September 2009). Delivery ACE aims for its final 2-3 year period are: 1) coordinate new subcommittees focused in processes to address gaps in our knowledge about the role of Antarctic ice sheets in the global climate system, as identified during the 1^st ACE Symposium. Subcommittees are tasked with synthesizing the state of the art of our knowledge and defining the future questions and challenges that are critical for providing science-based advise to major scientific programs (i.e., IODP) and policy makers (i.e., IPCC); 2) submit of a series of coordinated drilling proposals (ANDRIL and IODP) in key areas around Antarctica and the Southern Ocean that can address the formulated questions; and 3) play an active and central role in the development of proposals to SCAR for the successor of SCAR ACE. In addition, ACE will continue to be active in proposing dedicated sessions in all international meetings, including 2011 ISAES and 2012 SCAR OSC, in publications of its results in the open literature as it has been done in the past.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification: (what actions are you requesting of the Delegates and why they should agree) 1) approval of ACE actions and progress to date; 2) support for ACE plans for the remaining life of the Programme; 3) Input from Delegates on ACE plans based on the new SCAR Strategic Plan (2011-2012).

Expected Benefits/Outcomes: Significant publication output (both content and numbers), Publications and science relevant to “Big- science” programmes and policy makers, enhancement of SCAR profile

Partners: IPICS; PAGES of the IGBP; IASC on APEX; ANDRILL, SHALDRIL, IODP and ERICON-AB.

Budget Implications: Request for confirmation of SCAR science programme funding at current level for planned remainder of the Programme’s operation to 2013.