China and US researchers team up on climate lab

BEIJING: Top research institutions in China and the United States have announced that they will build an international laboratory to more accurately measure and predict global climate change.

The International Laboratory for High-Resolution Earth System Prediction will concentrate on simulations to provide reliable data at both regional and global levels, and is expected to enhance extreme weather forecasting and disaster prediction for the benefit of stakeholders and policymakers, experts said.

The lab will be jointly operated by Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, the US-based National Centre for Atmospheric Research and Texas A&M University.

The three parties, who signed an agreement in Qingdao, Shandong province, have been global leaders in climate change research.

The lab will have two offices in Qingdao and Texas.

“Each side brings its advantages to this cooperation,” said Michael Benedik, vice-provost of the university, located in Corpus Christi. “It’s exciting. This is an example of the two countries really partnering with their expertise.”

In the cooperation, the US atmospheric research centre, with many years of experience, will provide state-of-the-art oceanic and climate modelling; the Texas university has expertise in regional ocean modelling; and the Qingdao marine technology lab owns the fastest supercomputer in the world for marine research.

“This new laboratory is going to be critical for improving the ocean component of our modeling systems,” said James Hurrell, director of the US centre .— China Daily/Asia News Network