Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP)

Video from WCRP CMIP: https://www.wcrp-climate.org/wgcm-cmip

The objective of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) is to better understand past, present and future climate changes arising from either natural, unforced variability or in response to changes in radiative forcing in a multi-model context.

This understanding includes assessments of model performance during the historical period and quantifications of the causes of the spread in future projections. Idealized experiments are also used to increase understanding of the model responses. In addition to these long time scale responses, experiments are performed to investigate the predictability of the climate system on various time and space scales as well as making predictions from observed climate states.

An important part of CMIP is to make the multi-model output publicly available in a standardized format.

CESM - CMIP6 Projects

This page is intended to provide information on the participation of the Community Earth System Model to the Climate Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6)

Datasets from CESM2 CMIP6 simulations are available through the Earth System Grid Federation.

Land Use Model Intercomparison Project (LUMIP)

Seeks to address the major science questions related to land-use in the most organized and effective way possible.

As one of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) endorsed MIPs, LUMIP will address the following primary questions:

  1. What are the effects of land use and land use change on climate and biogeochemical cycling?
  2. Are there regional land management strategies with promise to help mitigate and/or adapt to climate change?
  3. What are the effects of climate change on land-use and land-use change?

Project Overview

Ocean Model Intercomparison Project (OMIP)

Aims to provide a framework for evaluating, understanding, and improving the ocean, sea-ice, tracer, and biogeochemical components of global climate and earth system models contributing to the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6).

More information coming soon...

Paleoclimate Model Intercomparison Project (PMIP)

Aims to understand the response of the climate system to different climate forcings for past climatic states very different from the present and historical climates through a coordinated set of numerical model experiments and comparison to climate reconstructions based on physical, chemical, and biological record.

As one of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) endorsed MIPs, PMIP4 will address the following primary questions:

  1. How well do coupled Earth system models operate beyond conditions under which they have been developed and assessed? (or reproduce climate states that are radically different from those of today?)
  2. What are the roles of climate processes feedbacks arising for the different climate subsystems (atmosphere, ocean, land surface, sea ice, and land ice) on the sensitivity of the climate system and regional climate changes?

Project Overview Project Publications

Polar Amplification Model Intercomparison Project (PAMIP)

Seeks to improve our understanding of polar amplification through a coordinated set of numerical model experiments.

As one of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) endorsed MIPs, PAMIP will address the following primary questions:

  1. What are the relative roles of local sea ice and remote sea surface temperature changes in driving polar amplification?
  2. How does the global climate system respond to changes in Arctic and Antarctic sea ice?

Project Overview Project Publications

Scenario Model Intercomparison Project (ScenarioMIP)

These webpages are for historical purposes only. Visit the new ScenarioMIP website for updated information   
https://wcrp-cmip.org/model-intercomparison-projects-mips/scenariomip

Will provide multi-model climate projections based on alternative scenarios of future emissions and land use changes produced with integrated assessment models. The design consists of eight alternative 21st century scenarios plus one large initial condition ensemble and a set of long-term extensions. Climate model projections will facilitate integrated studies of climate change as well as address targeted scientific questions.

The primary objectives of Scenario-MIP are to:

  1. Facilitate integrated research leading to a better understanding of the physical climate system consequences of future scenarios and their impact on natural and social systems, including adaptation and mitigation considerations.
  2. Provide a basis for addressing targeted science questions about the climate effects of aspects of forcing relevant to scenario-based research.
  3. Provide a basis for various international efforts that target improved methods to quantify projection uncertainties based on multi-model ensembles.

Project Overview

CESM CMIP5 Projects

List coming soon...

Feedback

CMIP6 is currently asking for feedback on the organization of the various Model Intercomparison Projects (MIPs).

Information for the various submissions can be found at the link below:
Feedback & Information

Oversight, Support & Analysis

In order to provide the necessary oversight, support and analysis of the various CESM simulations, it is expected that any CESM participation to a particular MIP will require the identification of an NCAR or external contributor. This person will serve as the point of contact for that MIP and will help in the planning, execution, distribution and analysis of the specific MIP simulations.

The current list can be found at the link below:
CESM CMIP Participation