Climate research

Source: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/research-and-innovation/focus-areas/strategic-research-areas/climate-research Parent: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/sitemap

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We conduct advanced research on the climate – exploring what affects it, historical patterns, biosphere-atmosphere interactions, and what we can expect in the future with a changing climate.

The effects of climate change are already becoming apparent: average global temperatures are rising, ice is melting, and sea levels are rising. All aspects of life are being affected. Conditions for people and the planet are changing at a fundamental level.

More research perspectives are needed

To better predict, manage and reduce the impacts of climate change, we need to continuously learn more about the complex climate system.

Researchers in this area are studying, for example:

the climate system from many different perspectives, so that we can better understand and address climate-related issues. There are strong links between the climate and other major global issues such as poverty reduction, air pollution, biodiversity loss and economic growth
the climate’s natural variation, how and why it changes over time, and how sensitive the climate system is to change
the impact of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystems
the physical processes in the atmosphere, land, ecosystems, oceans and ice that are important for carbon, water and other cycles. Knowledge of this is essential in order to develop more reliable climate models and to understand how the climate will react to, for example, increased emissions and changes in land use.

Improving climate models through collaboration

The research environment MERGE brings together researchers from four Swedish universities and the Rossby Centre (SMHI) to develop global and regional climate models that describe different processes in the climate system. The advanced models make it possible to study interactions between the physical properties of the atmosphere, land surface, ecosystems, oceans, lakes and ice. Within MERGE, the researchers are mainly working with a dynamic global vegetation model called LPJ-GUESS.

Application areas

Researchers generate innovations and knowledge in close collaboration with national and international experts, industry, the public sector and other societal stakeholders. A key objective of MERGE is to improve the relevance of climate models to society, so that research and its results can be applied in practice. This includes:

Improved policy and decision-making tools

The research provides public sector and industry decision-makers with evidence-based and detailed knowledge on emissions reduction topics.

This knowledge can help them better understand the impact of emissions on the environment, as well as contribute to methods and strategies for reducing them. This can lead to better decisions and more effective measures in reducing greenhouse gases and environmental protection.

Sustainable land use for a better climate

Researchers help us understand how land use and vegetation impact air quality and the climate.

This knowledge enables industry, the public sector and other stakeholders in society to gain important insights, such as how to conserve and manage forests in ways that contribute to reduced climate emissions and cleaner air.

Climate models that improve climate adaptation

Research and calculations on how the climate and our ecosystems might be affected in the future are particularly important if we are to adapt our societies to climate change.

This knowledge can be used to support decisions on reducing emissions, improving climate preparedness and proposing climate action. This research is used, for example, by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Research environments

The following links are to other websites.

Strategic research area

MERGE, ModElling the Regional and Global Earth system, is a strategic research area (SRA) in Sweden.

MERGE contributes with world-leading research in regional and global climate and Earth systems modelling and brings together researchers from Lund University, University of Gothenburg, Rossby Centre/SMHI, Linnaeus University, Chalmers University of Technology and KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

Coordinator\ Paul Miller\ Phone: +46 (0)46 222 4072\ paul [dot] miller [at] nateko [dot] lu [dot] se (paul[dot]miller[at]nateko[dot]lu[dot]se)

Research administrator\ Lina Nikoleris\ Phone: +46 (0)76 134 8562\ lina [dot] nikoleris [at] cec [dot] lu [dot] se (lina[dot]nikoleris[at]cec[dot]lu[dot]se)

Communications officer\ Therese Ek\ Phone: +46(0)70 322 6286\ therese [dot] ek [at] cec [dot] lu [dot] se (therese[dot]ek[at]cec[dot]lu[dot]se)

Website

MERGE – merge.lu.se

Research database

Related researchers, projects and publications.

Lund University Research Portal