Welcome to CCSM

 

These terms of reference apply to the CCSM Advisory Board (CAB), which replaces the Climate Modeling, Analysis and Prediction (CMAP) Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) as described in the SAC Terms of Reference dated 28 April 1997.

Background

NSF's CMAP budget initiative has evolved to support two components, a coordinated NCAR-university Community Climate System Model (CCSM) activity and individual university modeling research projects. It is the coordinated CCSM component of CMAP that requires oversight and guidance. Furthermore, CCSM has matured and improved over the past few years, and it now has potential to serve multi-agency needs. For these reasons, the present CMAP advisory body, the CMAP SAC, is being reconstituted as the CCSM Advisory Board (CAB), an advisory body for CCSM with members representing a broad spectrum of multi-agency U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) climate modeling interests.

Definition of CMAP

CMAP (Climate Modeling, Analysis and Prediction) is a NSF program supporting research in climate system model development, simulation and prediction, validation, error estimation, and assessment of predictability. CMAP is a part of NSF's focussed U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP).

Terms updated July 13, 2000; February 11, 1999

Definition of CCSM

CCSM (Community Climate System Model) is a focussed community effort led by NCAR for the development and analysis of comprehensive climate system models. It is a key component of CMAP, and is supported by CMAP, with complementary support from NSF base funding at NCAR and from other agencies.

Definition of CCSM Scientific Steering Committee (SSC)

The CCSM SSC provides scientific leadership for the CCSM project, including oversight of activities of working groups, coordination of model experiments, making decisions on model definition and development, encouragement of external participation in the project, and promotion of CCSM within NSF and other agencies, as appropriate. It also provides information to the CCSM Advisory Board, as requested, on the functioning and progress of CCSM.

Charge to CCSM Advisory Board (CAB)

To provide advice to the SSC, the Director of NCAR, the NSF-ATM Program Director, and the President of UCAR on a wide spectrum of scientific and technical activities within or involving the CCSM. The CAB should address the progress and quality of these activities, their balance, and their interactions with other closely related climate modeling and research activities, both national and international, with the ultimate aim of building a more unified modeling community to enhance progress in climate modeling. The CAB provides advice on future CCSM plans, coordinates CCSM activities with related efforts in other agencies, promotes the CCSM mission and their activities in the national and international community, and provides help in building and expanding the CCSM community.

Membership

The CAB consists of approximately 12-15 scientists from the university community, NCAR, and other laboratories and institutions, as appropriate. The members represent broad scientific disciplines related to earth-system modeling and serve rotating terms of three years in duration. The Chair of the CCSM SSC, NSF-ATM Program Director, Director of NCAR, President of UCAR, and representatives from other agencies, as appropriate, will serve as ex-officio, non-voting members.

Appointment of Members

The members of the CAB will be appointed by the President of UCAR, after consultation with the Director of NSF-ATM Climate Dynamics Program, the Director of NCAR, and the Chair of the SSC.

Organization and Funding

The CAB will be funded through the CCSM Program Office.

Meeting Frequency

The CAB will meet at least once a year or more often as needed.