Climate Prediction Applications Science Workshop
CPASW Background
The annual Climate Prediction Applications Science Workshop (CPASW), initiated in 2002 by the NOAA NWS Climate Services Division, brings together a diverse group of climate researchers, climate product producers, and users to share developments in research and applications of climate predictions for societal decision-making. A unique planning team, consisting of several NOAA climate services partners, organizes and hosts CPASW at a different location each year to ensure a varying coverage of local and regional climate perspectives.
In 2012, the 10th Annual CPASW will convene in Miami, Florida, and focus on “Climate Services for National Security Challenges.” This theme will integrate broad aspects of international, national, regional, and local climate-related issues that support an extensive array of national security priorities including food & health; water and energy resources; transportation infrastructure; and state & border security. Climate is a cross-cutting concern for all of these sectors and provides a link for critical decisions of planning, allocating resources, sustaining development and management as well as building resilient communities. Assessing the current state of climate information applications and sharing perspectives among a wide range of security sectors and workshop participants is a principal motivation for this year’s CPASW.
“The field of applied climatology has grown considerably in the last decade as the relationship between climate, the environment, and society in general has become increasingly important.”
Foreword, AMS 12th Conference on Applied Climatology (May 2000) preprints
“Grown considerably…” must certainly describe recent advances in the application of climate science knowledge. CPASW has been instrumental in nurturing the relationship among climate scientists, application developers, providers and users as they gather to share developments in research and applications related to the use of climate predictions in societal decision making. This year’s 10th CPASW continues that legacy with a national security-oriented theme.
The 3-day workshop opens Tuesday morning with thought-provoking invited presentations:
How do we…
…approach and integrate climate-change scenarios?
…assess risk associated with climate information/information management?
…anticipate & manage through extreme weather and climate events?
Afterwards we will discuss agricultural and food security continued with cutting-edge applications of climate information in water and natural resources management. We’ll wrap up the daytime presentations with a panel on roles and relationships in regional climate services provision, which is certainly appropriate in light of the growing demand of producers and consumers of climate-related products. The evening poster reception will provide an excellent opportunity to discuss new ideas with developers and network with others from across the spectrum of private-sector, academia, and government organizations.
Talks on Wednesday will provide a deep-dive into the core national security theme, from the effects on stability in many regions of the world to a framework for assessment to preparing future leaders for science-based decision making in the face of uncertainty. A facilitated discussion on climate information needs for national security decision support will stimulate food for thought for the evening banquet with invited speaker, Andrew P. Jones from ClimateInteractive.
Health and human/social factors will open Thursday morning’s sessions followed by expert panels addressing adaptation; climate information needs; and on the National Climate Assessment. To end the workshop, we will highlight some emerging tools and opportunities in climate prediction applications. Don’t miss this opportunity to join in a motivating exchange of ideas, new developments and emerging applications in climate prediction applications science.
