Professor Christopher K.R.T. Jones — Recipient of the 2020 MPE Prize
Professor Chris Jones is the Bill Guthridge Distinguished Professor in Mathematics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Director of the Mathematics and Climate Research Network (MCRN). The 2020 MPE Prize recognizes Professor Jones for his many significant contributions to climate science and the mathematics of planet Earth.
Author Archives: Hans Kaper
What is MPE?
Mathematics of Planet Earth (MPE) is a grass-roots movement to enhance our understanding of the impact of human activities on Planet Earth by developing mathematical and computational models of physical phenomena and using data analytics to support science-based decision making. … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged Climate dynamics, Food systems, Mathematical ecology, Mathematical modeling, Planet Earth
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April 22, 2020 — 50 years of Earth Day
On April 22, 1970, Earth Day was born. Twenty million Americans — 10% of the U.S. population at the time — took to the streets, college campuses and hundreds of cities to protest environmental ignorance and demand a new way … Continue reading
Four reasons why the fight against climate change is likely to fail
Democrats in the Senate stayed up all night talking about the perils of climate change. But while there’s hope that technology, changing consumer and business practices or new policies could finally turn the tide and slow or reverse climate change, there are also good reasons to think those efforts will fail. Continue reading
Moving toward a long-term collaboration around MPE
MPE2013 was launched at the winter meeting of the Canadian Mathematical Society in Montreal on December 7, 2013. Now, at the end of 2013, more than 140 partners are affiliated with MPE2013. “Mathematics of Planet Earth” needs to continue, and this is why MPE2013 will morph into MPE on January 1, 2014. 
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Posted in General
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Wimpy Hurricane Season a Surprise — And a Puzzle for Statisticians
It was a hurricane season almost without hurricanes. There were just two, Humberto and Ingrid, and both were relatively wimpy, Category 1 storms. That made the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season, which ended Saturday, the least active in more than 30 years — for reasons that remain puzzling. Continue reading
Posted in Atmosphere, Extreme Events, Meteorology, Statistics
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Ocean Plankton and Ordinary Differential Equations
As applied mathematicians we love differential equations. So, if you are looking for an interesting set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with relevance for Planet Earth, you might take a look at the so-called NPZ model of biogeochemistry. Continue reading
Posted in Biogeochemistry, Dynamical Systems
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“Mathematics and Climate” — A New Text
Today, allow me to indulge in a bit of self-promotion on the occasion of the publication by the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) of a new textbook, “Mathematics and Climate,” co-authored by your friendly MPE Blogmaster, Hans Kaper, and my colleague, Hans Engler, at Georgetown University. Continue reading
Posted in Climate Modeling, Mathematics, Statistics
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Mathematics, Sustainability, and a Bridge to Decision Support
The November issue of The College Mathematics Journal is a special theme issue supporting the Mathematics of Planet Earth initiative, MPE 2013. The issue is freely available to all. Of special interest is a guest editorial by Mary Lou Zeeman (Bowdoin College). It is a call to arms for the mathematics community to identify and engage, at a deeply intellectual level, with the mathematical challenges associated with decision making for sustainability. Continue reading
Posted in General
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Not on the Test: The Pleasures and Uses of Mathematics
On Wednesday, November 6, Inez Fung will deliver a public lecture at the Berkeley City College Auditorium on the topic “Verifying Greenhouse Gas Emissions” as part of their series Not on the Test: The Pleasures and Uses of Mathematics. Continue reading
Posted in Public Event
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Changing our Clocks
This Sunday, most of the United States and Canada changes from Daylight Saving Time (DST) to Standard Time: at 2:00 a.m. local time, clocks fall back to 1:00 a.m. Continue reading
Posted in Energy, General
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Mathematics and Climate Research Network
The “Mathematics and Climate Research Network” (http://www.mathclimate.org/, MCRN) held its annual meeting, October 7-12 in North Carolina.
The MCRN is a virtual organization. It brings together leading researchers across the US to study the mathematics that underlies climate science. Research is done collaboratively in focus groups over the Internet, and researchers get together once a year at the annual meeting to explore new ideas and set the agenda for upcoming activities. Continue reading
Posted in Climate, Mathematics, Workshop Report
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Deriving the Navier-Stokes Equations from Molecular Dynamics: A Case Study for Dimension Reduction
In today’s blog, I will go into one of the issues in mathematical ecology mentioned in yesterday’s blog reporting on the MBI workshop on “Sustainability and Complex Systems.” The issue came up in the discussion sessions, where the question was asked how one could apply dimension-reduction techniques to individual-based models (IBMs) and derive more manageable descriptions of ecological systems. Continue reading
Posted in Dimension Reduction, Ecology, Mathematics
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MBI Workshop “Sustainability and Complex Systems”
During the week of September 16-20, 2013, I attended a workshop on “Sustainability and Complex Systems” at the Mathematical Biosciences Institute at Ohio State. This was the first of three workshops on the theme “Ecosystem Dynamics and Management,” organized under the umbrella of MPE2013. Continue reading
Posted in Complex Systems, Ecology, Workshop Report
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DIMACS/CCICADA Workshop on Urban Planning for Climate Events
As part of the workshop cluster on Sustainable Human Environments, a preworkshop on urban planning for climate events will be sponsored by DIMACS/CCICADA as part of the Mathematics of Planet Earth 2013+ program. Continue reading
Posted in Sustainability, Workshop Announcement
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AGU Releases Revised Position Statement on Climate Change
The American Geophysical Union (AGU) recently released a revised version of its position statement on climate change. Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change
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How Vegetation Competes for Rainfall in Dry Regions
The greater the plant density in a given area, the greater the amount of rainwater that seeps into the ground. This is due to a higher presence of dense roots and organic matter in the soil. Since water is a limited resource in many dry ecosystems, such as semi-arid environments and semi-deserts, there is a benefit to vegetation to adapt by forming closer networks with little space between plants. Continue reading
Posted in Biosphere, Mathematics, Patterns
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MPE2013+ Workshop at ASU, January 7-10, 2014
A workshop “Mathematics of Planet Earth: Challenges and Opportunities” will be held at Arizona State University, January 7-10, 2014. The workshop aims to expose students and junior researchers to the challenges facing our planet, the role of the mathematical sciences in addressing those challenges, and the opportunities to get involved in the effort. Continue reading
Extreme Events
Weather extremes capture the public’s attention and are often used as arguments in the debate about climate change. The concern that extreme events may be changing in frequency and intensity as a result of human influences on climate is real, but the notion of extreme events depends to a large degree on the system under consideration, including its vulnerability, resiliency, and capacity for adaptation and mitigation. Continue reading
Posted in Extreme Events, Probability, Statistics, Weather
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Summer Break
The MPE2013 Daily Blog is taking a summer break. The next post is scheduled for August 15, 2013.
Posted in General
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AGU Science Policy Conference, Washington, DC, June 24-26
The American Geophysical Union held its 2nd Annual Science Policy Conference in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, June 24-26. Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change, Conference Report, Geophysics
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President Barack Obama’s remarks on climate change at Georgetown University
It was important for me to speak directly to your generation, because the decisions that we make now and in the years ahead will have a profound impact on the world that all of you inherit. Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change, Public Event
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MPE2013 Public Lecture — Jane Wang, Fields Institute, June 21, 2013
MPE2013 Public Lecture — Jane Wang, Fields Institute, June 21, 2013. Continue reading
Posted in Public Event
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2013 SIAM Conference on Mathematical and Computational Issues in the Geosciences
The 2013 SIAM Conference on Mathematical and Computational Issues in the Geosciences will be held in Padua, Italy, June 17-20. Continue reading
Posted in Conference Announcement, Geophysics
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Schedule Change
Starting June 10, the MPE2013 Daily Blog will appear Monday through Friday.
Posted in General
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Opinion Article in Today’s Washington Post
In a recent op-ed for The Post, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Tex.) offered up a reheated stew of isolated factoids and sweeping generalizations about climate science to defend the destructive status quo. Continue reading
Posted in Climate, General
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Ode to Cinderella Science
Looking back, the “Keeling curve” of CO${}_2$ concentrations ranks among the most significant achievements of twentieth-century science. Continue reading
Posted in Carbon Cycle, Climate Change
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SIAM Conference on Applications of Dynamical Systems, Snowbird, May 19-23
The SIAM Activity Group on Dynamical Systems (SIAG/DS) held its biennial meeting (DS13) at the Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort in Snowbird, Utah, May 19-23, 2013. Continue reading
Posted in Climate, Conference Report, Mathematics
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BIRS Workshop — “Non-Gaussian Multivariate Statistical Models and their Applications”
A diverse group of 42 scholars from 15 countries converged this week at BIRS for a workshop on “Non-Gaussian Multivariate Statistical Models and their Applications.” Continue reading
Posted in Statistics, Workshop Report
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Measuring Carbon Footprints
Releasing a ton of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere has quite a different effect on the global average temperature than releasing a ton of methane. Have you ever wondered how the effects of different greenhouse gases are compared? Continue reading
Posted in Atmosphere, Climate Change
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Report: The Mathematical Sciences in 2025
The full report on The Mathematical Sciences in 2025 from the National Academies Press is now available for download. Continue reading
Posted in General, Mathematics, Statistics
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2013 SIAM Conference on Applications of Dynamical Systems
The 2013 SIAM Conference on Applications of Dynamical Systems (DS13) will be held at the Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, Snowbird, Utah, May 19-23. Continue reading
Posted in Climate, Conference Announcement, Energy, Mathematics, Sustainability, Weather
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SIAM News — Examining the Dynamics of Ocean Mixing
“The science is clear,” climate scientist Emily Shuckburgh told an audience of nearly 800 people at San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts on March 4. Continue reading
Posted in Climate, Ocean
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Workshop “Major and Neglected Diseases in Africa,” May 6-10, 2013
A workshop on “Major and Neglected Diseases in Africa” was held at the University of Ottawa, May 6-10, 2013. Continue reading
Management of Variability and Uncertainty in Energy Systems
An interesting collection of web videos from the Energy Systems Week at the Isaac Newton Institute. Continue reading
Posted in Energy, Uncertainty Quantification
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Fields Institute — Focus Program on Commodities, Energy, and Environmental Finance
Commodities and energy markets continue to grow in activity and influence. Because of the growing concern about environmental issues inherent to the production and consumption of energy, quantitative insights into these marketplaces are crucial for sustainable development and policy making with respect to climate change. Continue reading
Data Visualization and Infographics
Infographics (short for Information Graphics) are graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge. They are intended to present complex information quickly and clearly. If done right, they enhance our visual system’s ability to see patterns and trends. Continue reading
Posted in Data Visualization, General
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How to Reconcile the Growing Extent of Antarctic Sea Ice with Global Warming?
It is well known that sea ice has a significant influence on the Earth’s climate system. While global warming causes Arctic sea ice to melt at a measurable and significant rate, sea ice surrounding Antarctica has actually expanded, with record extent in 2010. How can this somewhat paradoxical behavior be reconciled with global warming? Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change, Cryosphere
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Arctic Sea Ice and Cold Weather
Could the cold weather experienced in northern Eurasia this winter be related to the decrease in Arctic sea ice? This question is currently being debated in the media in Europe. This post shows some weather maps and links to several relevant blogs and articles. Continue reading
Posted in Cryosphere, General, Weather
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The Mathematics of Sustainability
Assuring a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren is, arguably, the greatest challenge facing humanity and raises a plethora of scientific and mathemat- ical challenges. In the language of the Brundtland Report World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987, it means leaving for future generations the same options we have for how we want to live our lives. However, operationalizing that concept is easier said than done. Continue reading
Posted in General, Sustainable Development
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How Good is the Milankovitch Theory?
In 1941, the Serbian mathematician Milutin Milankovitch (1879–1958) suggested that past glacial cycles might be correlated to cyclical changes in the insolation (the amount of solar energy that reaches Earth from the Sun). Continue reading
Posted in Paleoclimate
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Physics of Climate
The American Physical Society (APS) now has a Topical Group on the Physics of Climate (GPC). Continue reading
Posted in Climate, General
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SISC Special Issue
In recognition of Mathematics of Planet Earth 2013, the SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing (SISC) has dedicated a special issue to Planet Earth and Big Data. Continue reading
Posted in General
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Letting a Thousand MPEs Bloom
MPE2013 is a success. It is has generated enthusiasm all over the world, and it is giving mathematics more visibility than we could have hoped for. Continue reading
Posted in General
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Henbury Conservation Project
The interesting “Henbury Conservation Project” was brought to my attention by Ian Noble at the JSPS Symposium on “Climate Change.” Thanks, Ian, for a very good presentation on “Land and Our Responses to Climate Change.” -HGK Continue reading
Posted in Carbon Cycle
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Report: JSPS Symposium on “Climate Change”
On Friday, February 23, 2013, I attended a Symposium on “Climate Change,” organized by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and co-sponsored by the AAAS, NAS, NASA, NOAA and NSF. The symposium was held at the Cosmos Club in Washington, DC. Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change, Conference Report
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2013 AARMS Mathematical Biology Workshop
We are pleased to announce the 2013 AARMS Mathematical Biology Workshop to be held at Memorial University of Newfoundland, July 27-29, 2013, in St John’s, Newfoundland. Registration closes on May 17, 2013 and abstracts should be submitted by June 30, 2013. Continue reading
Posted in Biology, Mathematics, Workshop Announcement
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Earth from Space
Perhaps you’ve seen this already, but it’s pretty amazing, and features some well-known faces: Earth from Space Sean Crowell Mathematics and Climate Research Network (MCRN) sean.m.crowell@gmail.com
Posted in General
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Workshop on “Mathematics of climate change, related hazards and risks”
A 5-day workshop on “Mathematics of climate change, related hazards and risks” will be held at the Centro de Investigación en Matemáticas (CIMAT) in Guanajuato, Mexico, July 29-August 2, 2013. This workshop, organized as part of the global program Mathematics of Planet Earth 2013 (MPE2013), is a satellite workshop associated with the 2013 Mathematical Congress of the Americas (MCA). Continue reading
Mathematics and Climate
What is the role of mathematics in climate science? Climate science, like meteorology, is largely a branch of physics; as such, it certainly uses the language of mathematics. But could mathematics provide more than the language for scientific discourse? Continue reading
Posted in Climate Modeling, Mathematics
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Recommended Reading
Earlier this week, I had the good fortune to attend a talk here in Washington, DC, by former Vice-President Al Gore on “The Future, Six Drivers of Global Change.” This is the title of his latest book, which had just appeared. The talk was sponsored by my favorite bookstore, “Politics and Prose.” Continue reading
Presidential Inauguration 2013
Like four years ago, my good friend David Levermore (U Maryland) and I joined the crowd that gathered on the National Mall in Washington, DC, yesterday to be part of the inauguration of President Barack Obama. It was a great … Continue reading
Posted in General, Political Systems, Public Event
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The Discovery of Global Warming
“As a dam built across a river causes a local deepening of the stream, so our atmosphere, thrown as a barrier across the terrestrial rays, produces a local heightening of the temperature at the Earth’s surface.” Thus in 1862 John … Continue reading
Posted in General
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Global Warming — Recommended Reading
Global warming, one of the most important science issues of the 21st century, challenges the very structure of our society. It touches on economics, sociology, geopolitics, local politics, and individuals’ choice of lifestyle. For those interested in learning more about … Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change, General
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Mathematician stepping on thin ice
From the U~T San Diego, Saturday January 12, 2013 With a resume of scientific discoveries, and a track record of harrowing Antarctic adventures, University of Utah mathematician Ken Golden has stepped out of the ivory tower and onto thin ice. … Continue reading
Posted in Conference Report, Cryosphere, General, Public Event
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MPE2013, Antarctica, and the Porter Lecture
Welcome to the MPE2013 Blog! During the coming year we intend to bring you information about the themes of MPE2013: mathematics (including statistics), climate, sustainability and the state of the planet. Some posts will report news items of general interest, … Continue reading
Posted in Conference Announcement, Cryosphere, Public Event
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