A selection of new science articles from the past week of interest to the SPARC community (a SPARC Office choice).

Aerosol Effects on Clear-Sky Shortwave Heating in the Asian Monsoon Tropopause Layer. By J. Gao, Y. Huang, Y. Peng, and J.S. Wright in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres.

Monitoring sudden stratospheric warmings under climate change since 1980 based on reanalysis data verified by radio occultation. By Y. Li, G. Kirchengast, M. Schwaerz, and Y. Yuan in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.

Impact of Stratospheric Aerosol Injection on the East Asian Winter Monsoon. By Z. Liu, X. Lang, J. Miao, and D. Jiang in the Geophysical Research Letters.

Discussion papers – open for comment:

A simple model to assess the impact of gravity waves on ice crystal populations in the tropical tropopause layer. By M. Corcos, A. Hertzog, R. Plougonven, and A. Podglajen in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.

Improved representation of volcanic sulfur dioxide depletion in Lagrangian transport simulations: a case study with MPTRAC v2.4. By M. Liu et al. in the EGUsphere.

CFC-11 emissions are declining as expected in Western Europe. By A.L. Redington et al. in the EGUsphere.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai (HTHH)eruption in 2022 was the most explosive volcanic eruption in the satellite era, and the water-rich plume presents an opportunity to understand the impacts on the stratosphere of a large magnitude explosive phreatic eruption. The wide range of satellite observations of the early stratospheric plume and its dispersion to mid-latitudes will provide measurements to evaluate a range of models for their capabilities to represent stratospheric chemistry, aerosol and dynamics, in this case where both water vapour and aerosol are causing stratospheric ozone and radiative effects.

There are numerous HTHH eruption observational and modeling studies that have been published, preprints of submitted papers, and new research in early stages. As the plume continues to evolve and its impacts emerge, additional papers will be published. Because of the number and broad range of studies of the HTHH emissions and impacts, an international effort is required to provide a synthesis of studies in the published literature for the broader community and to coordinate multi-model assessments.

To do so, SPARC is welcoming a new Limited-Term Cross-Activity Focused Project in its portfolio of activities:

The new “Hunga-Tonga stratospheric impacts” SPARC activity, convening a team to co-ordinate and then write a special Hunga-Tonga impacts report, for publication in late-2025.

The report will directly feed into the upcoming 2026 UNEP/WMO Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion report, providing a benchmark synthesis of the impacts from the eruption. The HTHH SPARC activity will include defining a set of coordinated multi-model experiments for the report, coordinating with a number of existing community modelling activities to define potential modelling contributions to each chapter of the report (see outline structure). The report’s chapters will present consensus findings across both observational and modeling activities spanning a range of timescales, and provide knowledge for policy makers.

The activity is lead by Paul A. Newman, Bill Randel, Graham Mann and Yunqian Zhu.

The 20th GEIA (Global Emissions Initiative) Conference  “Towards mitigating air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions” will take place in Brussels, Belgium on June 21-23. Details and abstract submissions are available at: http://www.geiacenter.org/community/geia-conferences/2023-geia

Abstract deadline extended until 1 February 2023. 

The AMIGO (Analysis of eMIssions usinG Observations) Project is organizing a workshop on “Atmospheric chemistry
modeling, data assimilation, inverse modeling, and model evaluation” before the GEIA conference, on June 19-20, also in Brussels. The number of attendees will be limited to about 25 early career scientists. Applications due 27 January 2023, information at https://events.spacepole.be/event/157/

The WCRP Climate and Cryosphere (CliC) Core project is launching an open call for nominations to its Scientific Steering Group (SSG).

CliC is a global community of researchers with expertise and knowledge of the cryosphere and its interactions with the climate system. CliC expertise spans simulation modelling, field observations, process studies and cross-cutting issues with other disciplines and stakeholders. CliC identifies key research questions, priorities, gaps and challenges pertaining to the cryosphere and its interaction with the global climate system, and coordinates international activities to promote activities that address these matters. The SSG is the governing body of CliC and has the overall responsibility for planning and implementing of the project´s Strategy Plan 2022-2031. CliC vision for the next decade is to achieve a system understanding of the global and regional cryosphere that includes the physical climate, ecosystems and inhabitants of cryosphere regions, as well as the cryosphere connections and feedbacks to climate and society.

We seek nominations (including self-nominations) from scientists active in cryosphere-related research, both in the natural and social sciences, including those studying the interaction of ecosystems, fisheries and communities with the one or more cryosphere components.  

• To apply, fill in the on-line form not later than 31 March 2023
• Read the call text here

Please direct inquiries about the call and selection process to CliC co-chairs Amy Lovecraft () and Edward Hanna ()

We invite you to join us for our upcoming discussion on Climate Tipping Points: how to tip society, not the planet, taking place on 26 January 2023, 15:00 – 16:30 CET.

This webinar is part of the Tipping Points Discussion Series organized by AIMES, the Earth Commission, the WCRP Safe Landing Climates Lighthouse Activity, and partners. The series aims to advance knowledge of tipping elements, irreversibility, and abrupt changes in the Earth system – both in natural and social systems. Our two outstanding speakers are:

• David Armstrong McKay (University of Exeter): Climate tipping points: how close are they, and what can we do about them?
• Lloyd Pinnell (Systemiq): Socio-economic tipping points to drive accelerated adoption of climate solutions – what we know and what we don’t know

The talks will be followed by a discussion moderated by Ruth Townend (Chatham House).

All information and the link to register are available on our website: https://tipping-points-positive-tipping.confetti.events

The WCRP Earth System Modelling and Observations (ESMO) Core Project coordinates, advances, and facilitates all modelling, data assimilation and observational activities within WCRP, working jointly with all other WCRP projects and providing strategic connections to related external programs. It follows a seamless and value chain approach across all Earth system components, disciplines, and scales. The modelling and observational activities under ESMO are central to the provision of science-based climate information to support adaptation planning and decision-making, local and regional climate impact assessments, and national and international mitigation and adaptation policies. ESMO was officially launched by the WCRP Joint Scientific Committee in November 2020.

This call invites the community to nominate candidates (including self-nomination) to become members of the ESMO Scientific Steering Group (SSG).

Involvement in the ESMO SSG brings a range of benefits for participants.  As SSG member you will be involved in the core of the international science community that brings together climate modelling and climate observations, with opportunities that include:

• Personal career development through exposure to frontier research activities and exchange with the world’s leading climate modelling and observational scientists within WCRP and experts from external programs.
• Develop and participate in collaborations on climate modelling and observational research.
• Ensuring WCRP climate modelling and observations activities include expertise and ideas from all research areas within WCRP.
• Developing and expanding your network of scientific collaborators within the international research community.
• Having a voice to help strategic planning of WCRP activities at the frontiers of climate modelling and observations.
• Provide input to coordinated activities on exploiting new and emerging technologies including machine learning, new observing platforms and citizen science contributions.
• Contributing to the professional development of the next generation of scientists and scholars.

Full details of the ESMO science plan are available on the ESMO website or in this WCRP post.

How to apply

If you are interested in joining the SSG, please submit your application via the online form by 10 March 2023. Self-nominations are welcomed. Please circulate and distribute this call among your communities and networks.

Please direct inquiries about the nomination and selection process to Nico Caltabiano () at the WCRP Secretariat.

A selection of new science articles from the past week of interest to the SPARC community (a SPARC Office choice).

Observed changes in stratospheric circulation: decreasing lifetime of N2O, 2005–2021. By M.J. Prather, L. Froidevaux.2, and N.J. Livesey inAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics.

Research on the unusual spring 2020 Arctic stratospheric ozone depletion above Ny-Ålesund, Norway. By Q. Li et al. in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.

Interactive stratospheric aerosol models’ response to different amounts and altitudes of SO2 injection during the 1991 Pinatubo eruption. By I. Quaglia et al. in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.

Reconstructing volcanic radiative forcing since 1990, using a comprehensive emission inventory and spatially resolved sulfur injections from satellite data in a chemistry-climate model. By J. Schallock et al. in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.

A history of the 1.5°C target. By B. Cointe and H. Guillemot in WIREs Climate Change.

The abstract submission deadline for the WWRP/WCRP S2S Summit 2023 in Reading, UK, has been extended. New deadline: 25 January 2023

For more details and submission of abstracts, please go to : https://research.reading.ac.uk/s2s-summit2023/

A selection of new science articles from the past week of interest to the SPARC community (a SPARC Office choice).

Climate response to off-equatorial stratospheric sulfur injections in three Earth system models – Part 2: Stratospheric and free-tropospheric response. By E.M. Bednarz et al. in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.

Observations of gravity wave refraction and its causes and consequences. By M. Geldenhuys et al. in the Journal of geophysical Research: Atmospheres.

Gravity-wave-induced cross-isentropic mixing: a DEEPWAVE case study. By H.-C. Lachnitt et al. in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.

Not all Clear Air Turbulence is Kolmogorov − The fine-scale nature of atmospheric turbulence. By P.R. Imazio et al. in the Journal of Atmospheric Research: Atmospheres.

Estimation of stratospheric intrusions during Indian cyclones. By C. Roy et al. in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres.

Climate response to off-equatorial stratospheric sulfur injections in three Earth system models – Part 1: Experimental protocols and surface changes. By D. Visioni et al. in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.

Arctic tropospheric ozone: assessment of current knowledge and model performance. By C.H. Whaley et al. in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.

Opinion: How Nuclear Winter has Saved the World, So Far. by A. Robok et al. in Atomspheric Chemistry and Physics.

WCRP is delighted to open a call for proposals to host a dedicated project office in support to one of WCRP’s core projects: the Stratosphere-troposphere Processes And their Role in Climate (SPARC).

SPARC is the focal point for climate science related to the atmosphere within WCRP. Atmospheric and climate sciences are increasingly a focus of decision-making across policy, research, and industry, and of wide interest to the general public. In its 30-year (1992-2022) history, SPARC’s activities have generated a wealth of cutting-edge research and valuable datasets. SPARC has a major role in key international scientific assessment reports, including the WMO/UNEP Ozone Assessment Reports which are requested by the Parties of the Montreal Protocol and its Amendments. SPARC is moving forward with an ambitious new strategic plan from 2023, which will further advance those achievements by taking a leadership role at the forefront of international atmospheric science research. All SPARC efforts are part of WCRP’s activities and embedded in its overarching WCRP Science and Implementation Plan.

Benefits to the Host Institution

The Host Institution will significantly benefit from hosting the SPARC IPO by having a close interaction with this critical domain of research. It will serve as a great opportunity for the host to help deliver the exciting new goals of SPARC to the international community. In addition, the host institution will have the benefit of:

• enhancing their international profile through clear identification with the WCRP international community,
• underscoring the commitment of the national research community for international cooperation,
• association and participation with a range of international meetings, workshops, and regional activities,
• collaboration with other networks including those of early career scientists,
• contributing to the well-established links that the engagement of scientists from the host institute has already established through international research projects to the global community of climate researchers.
• career development for early career scientists in connecting them with the international research community and involvement in SPARC activities and outreach panel, 
• playing an important role in refining and implementing WCRP’s new strategy. 

Further, development of an active scientific partnership between SPARC and scientists at the Host Institution is encouraged, with the aim of increased international exposure and additional scientific publications.

The SPARC IPO’s role will be to support this work on all related levels in close cooperation with the SPARC co-chairs and Scientific Steering Group, the WCRP leadership and the WCRP Secretariat in Geneva.

• To download the call, click here.
• The deadline for proposals is 15 April 2022.

All communication, material and enquiries regarding this calls shall be directed in English to Hindumathi Palanisamy () in the WCRP Secretariat.