In a new paper (https://doi.org/10.1002/2017EF000627) published in the journal Earth’s Future, a team of researchers, including Prof. Liang (http:www.glue.umd.edu/~sliang) in the Department of Geographical Sciences, address designing the future’s climate observation system. The key points from the paper include 1) A significantly expanded climate observing system could address major science questions and meet important societal needs; 2) Careful independent testing can evaluate whether proposed systems can address critical observing needs; and 3)Future investments in climate observations offer large societal benefits and economic return on investments.

The work was featured in an article in the Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2017/11/08/scientists-say-the-worlds-climate-measurements-are-in-shambles-and-should-be-overhauled/?utm_term=.6c845512375c) and also in EOS (https://eos.org/research-spotlights/reckoning-with-climates-most-challenging-questions).

Prof. Shunlin Liang co-authors the paper in the journal Earth’s Future