The Climate Studies Group Mona

Abstract

Introduction The Climate Studies Group Mona (CSGM) was launched in 1994, in the Department of Physics, the University of the West Indies, Mona campus. The initiative was set in motion by Professor the Honourable A. Anthony Chen, O. M., Professor of Applied Physics. During the formative years we were given valuable assistance from by the Centre for Ocean Land Atmosphere Studies (COLA), the Inter American Institute (IAI) for A Global Change Research and The University of the West Indies Research Fellowship Programme. The group, which now comprises lecturers, postgraduate and undergraduate students, and associate members (former students), has made significant contributions to the study of Caribbean climate. These include, identifying atmospheric and oceanic influences on our climate, investigating climate change and its impact, isolating the relation between climate and crop yield for sugar cane, climate and incidences of dengue fever outbreak, and investigating renewable energy prospects for Jamaica. This article outlines the work of the CSGM and its significance in a local, regional and international context. Mission At its inception, the primary aim of CSGM was to learn the techniques of dynamic modelling of climate by numerical models. Since then, however, the group's activities have expanded to include applications of climate prediction, projections of regional climate change, and prospecting for alternative energy resources as a means of reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore the mission of the CSGM is as follows: * To investigate and understand the mechanisms responsible for a) the mean climate and b) extremes in climate in both Jamaica and the wider Caribbean; * To use this understanding to predict climate on a seasonal and annual basis; * To promote awareness of global warming and to determine how anthropogenic climate change will manifest itself in the Caribbean region; * To investigate the potential for exploiting renewable energy resources; and * To investigate and promote the advantageous uses of climate prediction in socio-economic sectors Pioneering Work Over the last 14 years, the CSGM has been involved in ground-breaking research that has resulted in significant contributions to atmospheric science and society. These include: * The mapping of the average solar radiation available to Jamaica, the results of which highlight the strong prospects of solar photovoltaics applications. * The modelling of wind speed and power across Jamaica, thereby identifying regions with good potential for utility-scale wind power. * Identifying an increase in early season (May-July) rainfall amounts in the year following the onset of an El Nino event. This is in contrast to the amplified dryness over the Caribbean frequently reported in literature in relation to the onset of El Nino. * Elucidating the impact of meteorological drought on sugar cane productions. * Clarifying the role of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in modulating seasonal rainfall over the Caribbean and adjacent Caribbean regions. * The issuing of seasonal Precipitation Outlooks for Jamaica, made possible by the creation of statistical models for the early (May- July) and late (August-October) rainfall seasons for the Caribbean and mid-dry season (January-February) rainfall for the eastern Caribbean and Jamaica. * Proposing the atmospheric circulation patterns that facilitate the rainfall gradient pattern evident during the dry season (November- April) for the mature El Nino. It was found that the gradient pattern involved higher than normal rainfall over the northern Caribbean (north of 20°) and below normal over the southern Caribbean in relation to El Nino. * Identifying the evidence of climate change over the Caribbean particularly with respect to temperature. * The development of a Caribbean Climate Interactive Database. …