Understanding past climate evolution, variability and its impact on the environment
The IPSL "Paleoclimate" research theme involves around 100 scientists from five IPSL institutes (GEOPS, LMD, LOCEAN, LSCE, METIS). We investigate the evolution of the Earth’s climate, as well as the related mechanisms and environmental responses over geological time, in order to better understand natural climatic variability.
We study various climatic contexts (e.g. warm and cold climates, stable climates, progressive transitions, abrupt events) in time periods ranging from the Earth’s geologic past (million-year to (sub)orbital time scales) to recent (millennial to decadal variability). Complementary expertise within the theme allows the different components of the climate system (such as the ocean, atmosphere, ice sheets, vegetation, dust) to be investigated.
Data and model scientists of the IPSL “Paleoclimate” theme have exceptional tools at their disposal:
- Very diverse analytical facilities for the dating and climate reconstructions of various types of archives;
- Rich multi-archive data base and unique tool to integrate their chronologies;
- Whole range of Earth climate models allowing experiments on all time scales, as well as the direct simulation of tracers (e.g. geochemical tracers, bio-indicators).
This model-data ecosystem facilitates interdisciplinary research activities in paleoclimatology, in a quasi-unique manner at the national and international level.
Moderators of the theme
Aline Govin • LSCE-IPSL - +33 (0)1 69 08 04 78
Charlotte Skonieczny • GEOPS-IPSL - +33 (0)1 69 15 67 47
