The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) is spearheading the development of India’s first Earth System Model (ESM) to enhance climate forecasting and predict climate impacts. This initiative aligns with the government’s focus on addressing climate change issues.
Development of Earth System Model
- The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, in collaboration with the Centre for Climate Change Research (CCCR), is developing the Earth System Model.
- The project has received funding of ₹192.28 crores under the Monsoon Convection, Clouds, and Climate Change (MC4) sub-scheme.
- The Earth System Model integrates various components of the Earth system, including the atmosphere, ocean, land, ice, and biosphere.
- The model aims to estimate climate under different conditions, providing reliable future projections of global and regional climate, including Indian monsoon rainfall.
- The development of the model is expected to be completed by 2025.
Features and Functionality
- Earth System Model (ESM) is designed as open-source software to integrate interactions among different Earth system components.
- It utilizes numerical weather prediction and data assimilation techniques for accurate climate change predictions.
- The model incorporates state-of-the-art climate modeling capabilities to facilitate long-term climate studies and generate reliable future projections.
Integration with Climate Forecast System (CFS)
- IITM-ESM integrates earth system components into the Climate Forecast System (CFS) from the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), USA.
- It transforms the CFS seasonal prediction model into a long-term climate mode, enhancing its forecasting capabilities.
Focus on Regional Climate Change
- While global climate perspectives are provided by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment reports, regional climate change aspects are often limited.
- The effects of climate change over the Indian subcontinent involve complex physical processes, shaped by factors such as the Indian monsoon and unique geographical features like the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean.
- The Earth System Model aims to provide policy-relevant information based on robust scientific analysis and assessments of observed and projected future climate changes in the Indian region.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the primary objective of developing India’s Earth System Model?
- A) Enhancing agricultural productivity
- B) Predicting climate impacts and improving climate forecasts
- C) Studying marine biodiversity
- D) Developing renewable energy sources
- Answer: B) Predicting climate impacts and improving climate forecasts
- Which components are integrated into the Earth System Model for climate estimation?
- A) Atmosphere, ocean, and land
- B) Atmosphere, ocean, land, ice, and biosphere
- C) Atmosphere and biosphere only
- D) Atmosphere and ocean only
- Answer: B) Atmosphere, ocean, land, ice, and biosphere
- What funding has been allocated for the development of the Earth System Model?
- A) ₹192.28 crores under the Monsoon Convection, Clouds, and Climate Change (MC4) sub-scheme
- B) ₹100 crores under the Renewable Energy Development Scheme
- C) ₹50 crores under the Space Exploration Initiative
- D) ₹300 crores under the Agriculture Modernization Program
- Answer: A) ₹192.28 crores under the Monsoon Convection, Clouds, and Climate Change (MC4) sub-scheme
- How does the Earth System Model integrate with the Climate Forecast System (CFS)?
- A) It replaces the CFS entirely.
- B) It duplicates the CFS functionality.
- C) It enhances the CFS by integrating earth system components.
- D) It is independent of the CFS.
- Answer: C) It enhances the CFS by integrating earth system components