A joint research team led by the National Institute for Environmental Studies and the Center for Climate System Research, University of Tokyo announced on September 16, 2004, the results of an analysis of the probable progress of global warming until 2100 using a supercomputer known as the "Earth Simulator."

The results of an analysis on a global basis were almost the same as the earlier estimates: the global average temperature will rise by 3 to 4 Celsius, and precipitation will increase by 5.2 to 6.4% during the period 2000 to 2100.

The results say that on average Japan's temperature and rainfall during the summer will increase because of global warming. They also say Japan will suffer heavy rainfall more frequently, and the annual number of sweltering days in which the temperature exceeds 30 Celsius will reach around 140 days by 2100, much more than the approximately 50 days per year in the twentieth century.

The research team succeeded in simulations of the atmosphere at a resolution of l00 kilometers and of the oceans at 20 kilometers, currently the highest resolution in the world for global climate forecasts. This supercomputer has paved the way for more detailed climate changes simulations than ever before, and many look forward to its further contribution to such analysis.



Posted: 2004/12/16 04:24:12 PM
Japanese version

TAG Ecosystem , Global warming , Technology , University/Research institute