The future of climate projection

Climate modeler Aditi Sheshadri says that while weather forecasting and climate projection are based on similar science, they are very different disciplines. Forecasting is about looking at next week, while projection is about looking at the next century. Sheshadri tells host Russ Altman how new data and techniques, like low-cost high-altitude balloons and AI, are reshaping the future of climate projection on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to [email protected] Reference Links:Stanford Profile: Aditi SheshadriConnect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionRuss Altman introduces guest Aditi Sheshadri, a professor of Earth systems science at Stanford University.(00:02:58) Climate Projection vs. Weather ForecastingThe differences between climate projection and weather forecasting.(00:04:58) The Window of ChaosThe concept of the "window of chaos" in climate modeling.(00:06:11) Scale of Climate ModelsThe limitations and scale of climate model boxes.(00:08:19) Computational ConstraintsComputational limitations on grid size and time steps in climate modeling.(00:10:56) Parameters in Climate ModelingEssential parameters measured, such as density, temperature, and water vapor.(00:12:18) Oceans in Climate ModelsThe role of oceans in climate modeling and their integration into projections.(00:14:35) Atmospheric Gravity WavesAtmospheric gravity waves and their impact on weather patterns.(00:18:51) Polar Vortex and CyclonesResearch on the polar vortex and on tropical cyclone frequency.(00:21:53) Climate Research and Public AwarenessCommunicating climate model findings to relevant audiences.(00:23:33) New Data SourcesHow unexpected data from a Google project aids climate research,(00:25:09) Geoengineering ConsiderationsGeoengineering and the need for thorough modeling before intervention.(00:28:19) Conclusion Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.