Research themes

Research theme 1 addresses some of the major knowledge gaps in the physical-chemical climate system. Covering a range of scales, we study aerosols and clouds; dynamics of atmosphere, ocean and cryosphere; risk for tipping points and regional effects of global warming and; climate sensitivity and carbon budget. We develop and use tools ranging from Large Eddy Simulation to Earth system models, and from in-situ observations to satellite and reanalysis products.

Co-leaders:

• Geert Brethouwer, FLOW, Department of Engineering Mechanics, KTH
• Léon Chafik, Department of Meteorology, Stockholm University
• Ramón Fuentes Franco, Rossby Centre, SMHI
• Liine Heikkinen, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University

Research theme 2 studies the coupled water and biogeochemical cycles and their interactions with climate and society over multiple spatial and temporal scales. Our ultimate goal is to define the adaptation necessary to address climate risks related to these cycles and guide policy towards their mitigation. For this task, we rely on field- and space-based observations, modelling, monitoring, and experiments on land, in the ocean, and the atmosphere.

Co-leaders:

• Fernando Jaramillo, Dept. of Physical Geography, Stockholm University
• Volker Brüchert, Dept. of Geological Sciences, Stockholm University
• Andrea Popp, Hydrology department at the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI)

Research on past climates encompasses climate variability on tectonic, orbital, millennial, centennial and historical timescales. We use a wide range of geoscientific data to reconstruct the evolution of the climate system, including its landscapes and ecosystems, from local to global scales. Climate models are used to simulate extreme climate states in the past, in order to study impacts, mechanisms and feedbacks operating in the climate system under different climate forcings. Past climates provide a thorough test of models to project future changes in a confident way.

Co-leaders:

• Fredrik Charpentier Ljungqvist, Department of History, Stockholm University
• Frederik Schenk, Department of Geological Sciences, Stockholm University
• Natasha Barbolini, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University
• Margret Steinthorsdottir, Swedish Museum of Natural History, affiliated with Department of Geological Sciences, Stockholm University

Research on climate, ecosystems and biodiversity at the Bolin Centre aims to understand how climate affects ecological, evolutionary and biophysical processes, as well as their possible feedbacks on climate and human land- and water-use. The research relies on using field observations, experiments, and modelling to examine the effects of climate on different aspects of ecosystems and biodiversity.

Co-leaders:

• Rhonda Snook, Dept. of Zoology, Stockholm University
• Stefano Manzoni, Dept. of Physical Geography, Stockholm University