The International Research Institute for Climate Prediction (IRI), part of Columbia's Earth Institute is collaborating with Taiwan to study and better manage the impact of climate variability in the Asian region, the University announced at a signing ceremony in Taipei on Wed., Nov. 29.

"Considering the vibrant and expanding economy of Taiwan and the forward-thinking environmental priorities of Taiwan's leadership, Columbia University is honored to make Taiwan its partner in new projects integrating physical and social sciences," said Michael M. Crow, executive vice provost of Columbia University.

"Daily weather forecasting is not enough," Shieh Shinn-Liang, director general, Central Weather Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications. "Our fisheries, energy systems, water resources and agricultural industries will depend on the benefits of long-range forecasting. Finding systems that increase our awareness of climate and its effects will provide measurable benefits to our country, as well as to the world community."

Taiwan is the University's first international partner to formally support seasonal climate studies, pledging $7.5 million over five years. The agreement will serve as a University model for future international ties focusing on climate systems. Specifically, the University's International Research Institute for Climate Prediction (IRI) and Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau will begin looking at the genesis, frequency and severity of typhoons related to El Niño and La Niña, the warming and cooling trends of the Pacific Ocean. According to IRI Director General Antonio Divino Moura, newly modeled computer simulation for the region combined with existing data will enable Taiwan to make seasonal climate forecasts, not just daily weather predictions.

"The field of climatology extends far beyond day-to-day predictions or the controversies that evolve from disputes over the balance between man and nature," said Moura. "It intertwines systems of climate, ocean conditions, food production, natural disaster relief and recovery, global trade and economic development." A highly interdisciplinary field, climatology requires a range of expertise. In addition to IRI, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will also work on the project with Taiwan.

"Directly or indirectly climate influences most everything we do," said J. Michael Hall, Director of NOAA's Washington-based Office of Global Programs. "Food, energy, water, health, livelihoods, public safety and industrial efficiency are all affected. Managing the roller coaster of climatic fluctuations and future climate change and achieving the sustainable economies we all want is going to require wide-ranging expertise from mathematics to social science, and a concerted effort from experts and managers in many sectors."

Columbia Earth Institute is a broad network of research centers and faculty who are collaborating in an effort to understand Earth's processes and the role humans play in them. The multi-disciplinary approach to sustaining the planet focuses on earth systems science, policy and management. Columbia is one of the first universities in the world to develop this approach to the field of environmental and earth sciences at the university-level. And is now playing a lead role in matching the expertise of the academy to the needs of its partners.