“Kick Off Meeting” Instituto Franco-Argentino sobre Estudios de Clima y sus Impactos. Institut Franco-Argentin sur le Climat et ses Impacts. Institut Franco-Argentin sur le Climat et ses Impacts. November 4 and 5, 2010 CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina M. Nuñez

Creation of the UMI By agreement between the CNRS from France and CONICET and the University of Buenos Aires from Argentina. The main institutions by the CNRS is the “Institut National des Sciences de l´Univers”, as principal institution, and the “Institut d´Ecologie et Environnement” as secondary institution. The date of creation is January 1st, 2010 and the initial duration of the UMI is of 4 years. The UMI will be evaluated each 4 years, as condition for its continuation.

Main goal of the UMI The creation of this UMI aims to strengthen and formalize the historic colaboration between CIMA and the LMD around the issues of climate variability, climate prediction, climate change and extended to the evaluation of the impacts of global changes. The creation of this UMI aims to strengthen and formalize the historic colaboration between CIMA and the LMD around the issues of climate variability, climate prediction, climate change and extended to the evaluation of the impacts of global changes.

Vision The Franco-Argentine Institute for the Study of Climate and its Impacts (IFAECI) is called to be a leader in climate research issues and impacts in the region of Argentina, MERCOSUR and South America. This institute can become a reference in terms of interdisciplinary research, in response to the needs of society. The Franco-Argentine Institute for the Study of Climate and its Impacts (IFAECI) is called to be a leader in climate research issues and impacts in the region of Argentina, MERCOSUR and South America. This institute can become a reference in terms of interdisciplinary research, in response to the needs of society.

Mission The mission of French-Argentine Institute is to improve understanding and numerical modeling of climate processes (feedback from the oceans, atmosphere, surface hydrology and vegetation) in order to contribute to climate predictions at different scales, to know the projected climate change scenarios and their uncertainties and quantify the impacts of climate variability and change on society. The mission of French-Argentine Institute is to improve understanding and numerical modeling of climate processes (feedback from the oceans, atmosphere, surface hydrology and vegetation) in order to contribute to climate predictions at different scales, to know the projected climate change scenarios and their uncertainties and quantify the impacts of climate variability and change on society.

This mission is achieved through the implementation of actions following two lines: 1. Encouragement of research in numerical modeling of the climate system 2. Promotion of applied research for solving environmental problems impacting our society.

Objectives:

1. On the numerical modeling: The overall objective of this line will move forward in partnership on improving climate models and their components. The LMD has extensive experience in this regard and CIMA is the center in Argentina with greater capacity for numerical modeling of climate. Among the first efforts by the UMI IFAECI focus should include the improvement in climate models representation of clouds and soil processes.

2. On applications to the solution of environmental problems The intention of this line would promote scientific interaction between Argentina and France in order to contribute to: Developing the scientific basis for a policy of adaptation to climate change in Argentina. Developing the scientific basis for a policy of adaptation to climate change in Argentina. Develop a system for predicting the weather in Argentina and neighboring regions with several months in advance and improve weather forecasting, with emphasis on supporting the warnings about possibly catastrophic events. Develop a system for predicting the weather in Argentina and neighboring regions with several months in advance and improve weather forecasting, with emphasis on supporting the warnings about possibly catastrophic events.

Drivers issues in climate, environment and society. Hydrology (Cuenca del Plata, Andean rivers). Hydrology (Cuenca del Plata, Andean rivers). Agriculture and land use. Agriculture and land use. Health (epidemics, dengue, yellow fever). Health (epidemics, dengue, yellow fever). Fisheries and aquaculture. Fisheries and aquaculture.

Proposed themes to be discussed The goal of this meeting is to review the existing cooperation between France and Argentina concerning climate issues, and establish how the UMI should help its organization and evolution. The discussions will consider, among others, the followings items:

 Observations, analysis and data assimilation in South America and surrounding oceans - including measurement techniques, and the link between measurements and model studies.  Understanding land-air-ocean processes in the region.  Atmospheric chemistry (tropospheric and stratospheric).  Challenges in the modeling of the climate of the region, articulation between global and regional perspectives.

 Climate change scenarios and associated uncertainties in the region.  Climate Change impact in the region (La Plata Basin, central Andes, Southwestern Atlantic).  Socio-Economic aspects linked to climate evolution.  La Plata estuary related processes.

Further information about the UMI IFAECI Visit our web page at:

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