cc: nth@WPO.NERC.AC.UK, rcpad@WPO.NERC.AC.UK date: Tue Jun 2 16:47:11 1998 from: Keith Briffa subject: Re: PALAEOCLIMATE PROPOSAL to: Geraint Webber Dear Dr. Webber Thanks for the information and invitation to take part in the 'brainstorming' meeting. I'm happy to participate. I would also be very interested in helping to formulate a joint Board bid arising out of this or similar subsequent meetings. As fo availablity , I can pretty much confirm that I could make any day within your stated range , provided it was not a weekend. It would help to have a few days notice. I have decoded the short draft proposal and will comment on it after having had a chance to consider it. yours sincerely Keith At 03:18 PM 6/2/98 +0100, Geraint Webber wrote: >Dear Dr Briffa > >Dr Neville Hollingworth has asked me to formally invite >you on behalf of ESTB to become a member of a small >working group which is being set up to develop a >Palaeoclimate proposal. Your name was suggested by the >Earth Science & Technology Board as a potential member >due to your expertise and research into climate change. > >Following the May ESTB meeting it was decided to meet >with the Atmospheric Science community in order to >consider furthering the proposal via a brainstorming >meeting. > >A draft palaeoclimate proposal was produced following a >discussion between Professor Boulton, Professor Lowe, >Professor Shackleton and the office secretariat during >Geoscience *98 in Keele and was discussed at the May >ESTB meeting. > >The Board felt that - the proposal lacked a significant >novel component. In attempting to interface the geological >climate record with the modelling activities of the >atmospheric community, it would be necessary to establish >the historical data requirements needed to validate and >populate the current and proposed new climate prediction >models. The geological record is essential to exploring >timescales and changes from non-linear (but predictable) >to chaotic climatic conditions. The Chief Executive pointed >out that the key drivers of climate research will probably >arise from the Kyoto summit and include carbon budgets, >regional climate prediction, biogeochemical cycles, with >the palaeoclimate record per se probably lower down the >list of priorities. Linking the ancient record to the modelling >criteria will therefore be essential. > >With the above in mind I would be grateful if you could: > >a) confirm whether you would be willing to become >involved in the palaeoclimate proposal and its possible >development as a joint board bid (with ASTB). (A copy >of the draft proposal is attached for your reference and >comments are welcome); and if so, > >b) confirm by Monday 8th June any free dates in your >diary for an am or pm meeting between now and June >18th. The venue will be London or Swindon. Relevant >papers will be circulated as soon as a date is fixed.