The Cooperative Institute for Climate Applications and Research develops and promotes research to address a wide range of science and social topics consistent with the CICAR mandate. The project overviews appearing in the CICAR research section include observations and model development required for the prediction of seasonal-to-interannual and long-term climate variability, for developing better understanding of modern and paleo climates and their variability, and for the development of tools for providing climate information to society to assess risk and make decisions.

The CICAR program of research and education is designed to:

-- Create a long-term research partnership between NOAA and the Columbia University climate research community to enhance NOAA’s research capabilities in the area of climate observations, modeling, and prediction.

-- Contribute to NOAA’s goal to enhance society’s ability to plan and respond to climate variability and change by developing methods and tools for providing climate information to users and decision makers.

-- Provide a basis for streamlining the administrative process for several established cooperative projects within Columbia University and NOAA – e.g. AbRupt Climate CHangE Studies (ARCHES), Climate Variability and Prediction program (CLIVAR), Applied Research Centers program and the Climate and Societal Interactions program.

• Develop specific research themes that address critical research needs in:
• Climate modeling and prediction
• Climate forecast applications research
• Modern and Paleoclimate research

-- Improve the effectiveness of graduate-level education by expanding research opportunities available to graduates and undergraduates through participation in joint research projects.

-- Identify opportunities and establish means to communicate climate research development to the public to facilitate broader understanding of climate related issues and their impact on society.

CICAR’s research imperative is directly aligned with NOAA’s mission goal to Understand climate variability and change to enhance society’s ability to plan and respond.