We will very likely regard 2016 as a year of climatic and political extremes. Personally I find the surge in atmospheric CO2 – momentarily roughly 5 ppm higher on 1 January 2017 than on the same day a year earlier – remarkable and worrisome but I think most of us, as we look carefully at many facets of the climate system, will admit to surprises in 2016. Whatever our political views and across our wide range of expertise, I suspect we share and resonate with a general sense of uncertainty as the new normal.
What should we anticipate for 2017?
For the climate system we can expect continuing loss of snow and ice, more and more-persistent extremes (both wet and dry), and, unfortunately for our purposes and reputations, a reduction in near-term predictability as very often occurs in ecological systems as they start to go out of balance. For climate science we will recognize the continuing urgency to observe and model the complex fundamental aspects of our planet’s climate, too often amidst distractions and overt opposition. Within WCRP we will prepare and produce plans and reports, contribute to assessments and evaluations, and skillfully communicate our accomplishments and needs. I observe a clear sense of opportunity and urgency across the WCRP community, crystalized as a determination to not merely update past products but to substantially expand and improve our skills, our understanding and our impact. To our WCRP community of enthusiastic volunteers – arguably one of this planet’s most valuable climate resources – we convey best wishes for 2017!