An Ohio University professor will argue today that using climate models can help predict the future.
Wendy Parker, associate professor of philosophy, will speak about her global climate change research for the Department of Geography’s second colloquium of the quarter. The colloquium, titled “Climate modeling for decision support: Doing our best with uncertainty,” will be held at 4 p.m. today in Clippinger 119.
Parker will be discussing how researchers estimate and communicate the uncertainties about the future of climate change. Her goal is to make not an experiment but an accurate model to show how the climate system really works.
Brad Jokisch, chair of the Colloquium Committee and associate professor of Geography, said he believes Parker will be a great asset to the event.
“Her research is about a phenomena that we’re interested in, and we think that she has something to teach us about global climate change,” Jokisch said.
He added that global climate change is a topic that has interested many in the past and will continue to pose questions for the future.
Many decisions can be made based on certain findings, from “international policies on how much to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to local decisions about to do adapt to changes in climate, such as more frequent heat waves or stronger hurricanes,” Parker said.
Climate models are systems of differential equations that are obtained from the basic laws of physics, fluid motion and chemistry. They are formulated to be solved on supercomputers, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.
“They are essentially computer models that try to solve mathematical equations to mimic the earth’s atmosphere,” Parker said.
The Geography Department holds three colloquiums a quarter in hopes of bringing people together to stimulate research ideas. Jokisch said he wants students to learn from Parker and hopes the colloquium will expose them to how different disciplines and social sciences approach climate change.
Graduate students studying geography are required to attend. However, the event is open to the public. Jokisch said he is expecting 25 to 30 people to attend, depending on word of mouth around campus.
“We want to get to know Dr. Parker and her research,” Jokisch said. “We’re hoping the event opens up discussion about her research with students, faculty members and members of other research fields.”
jb351009@ohiou.edu
