Merchant, C.J. and Matthiesen, S. and Rayner, N.A. and Remedios, J.J. and Jones, P.D. and Olesen, F. and Trewin, B. and Thorne, Peter and Auchmann, R. and Corlett, G.K. and Guillevic, P.C. and Hulley, G.C. (2013) The surface temperatures of Earth: steps towards integrated understanding of variability and change. Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems, 2 (2). pp. 305-321. ISSN 2193-0864

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Abstract

Surface temperature is a key aspect of weather and climate, but the term may refer to different quantities that play interconnected roles and are observed by different means. In a community-based activity in June 2012, the EarthTemp Network brought together 55 researchers from five continents to improve the interaction between scientific communities who focus on surface temperature in particular domains, to exploit the strengths of different observing systems and to better meet the needs of different communities. The workshop identified key needs for progress towards meeting scientific and societal requirements for surface temperature understanding and information, which are presented in this community paper. A "whole-Earth" perspective is required with more integrated, collaborative approaches to observing and understanding Earth's various surface temperatures. It is necessary to build understanding of the relationships between different surface temperatures, where presently inadequate, and undertake large-scale systematic intercomparisons. Datasets need to be easier to obtain and exploit for a wide constituency of users, with the differences and complementarities communicated in readily understood terms, and realistic and consistent uncertainty information provided. Steps were also recommended to curate and make available data that are presently inaccessible, develop new observing systems and build capacities to accelerate progress in the accuracy and usability of surface temperature datasets.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	surface temperatures; Earth; integrated understanding; variability; change;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Geography Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Institutes > Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units, ICARUS
Item ID:	6478
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-2-305-2013
Depositing User:	Peter Thorne
Date Deposited:	19 Oct 2015 15:39
Journal or Publication Title:	Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems
Publisher:	European Geosciences Union (EGU)
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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