The complex Andes region needs improved efforts to face climate extremes

IF 4.7 3区环境科学与生态学 Q2 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Elementa-Science of the Anthropocene Pub Date : 2022-01-01 DOI:10.1525/elementa.2022.00092

M. Cazorla, L. Gallardo, R. Jimenez

{"title":"The complex Andes region needs improved efforts to face climate extremes","authors":"M. Cazorla, L. Gallardo, R. Jimenez","doi":"10.1525/elementa.2022.00092","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"The steep slopes, highlands, and valleys of the Andes mountain chain are inhabited throughout its formidable length. This unique characteristic does not repeat in any other mountain region. The Andes shape weather and climate in South America. However, proper understanding of atmospheric phenomena influenced by a daunting altitudinal gradient is still behind what is needed to produce detailed and consistent climate projections. Despite significant advances, global models misrepresent key precipitation and circulation processes that are influenced by complex topography. Along with a lack of coordinated observations, the result is limited information to design preparedness measures, particularly to face extreme climate events. Of equal concern is the issue of air quality in densely urbanized countries that face decarbonization challenges and share a legacy of social inequity and political unrest. The complexity of the Andes region magnifies risks within all nations that share their influence. Thus, urgent action is needed to improve climate and air quality assessments with the direct purpose of strengthening policy-making processes.","PeriodicalId":54279,"journal":{"name":"Elementa-Science of the Anthropocene","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.7000,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"1","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Elementa-Science of the Anthropocene","FirstCategoryId":"93","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.2022.00092","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 1

Abstract

The steep slopes, highlands, and valleys of the Andes mountain chain are inhabited throughout its formidable length. This unique characteristic does not repeat in any other mountain region. The Andes shape weather and climate in South America. However, proper understanding of atmospheric phenomena influenced by a daunting altitudinal gradient is still behind what is needed to produce detailed and consistent climate projections. Despite significant advances, global models misrepresent key precipitation and circulation processes that are influenced by complex topography. Along with a lack of coordinated observations, the result is limited information to design preparedness measures, particularly to face extreme climate events. Of equal concern is the issue of air quality in densely urbanized countries that face decarbonization challenges and share a legacy of social inequity and political unrest. The complexity of the Andes region magnifies risks within all nations that share their influence. Thus, urgent action is needed to improve climate and air quality assessments with the direct purpose of strengthening policy-making processes.

查看原文本刊更多论文

复杂的安第斯山脉地区需要加强应对极端气候的努力

陡峭的山坡、高地和安第斯山脉的山谷遍布其令人生畏的长度。这种独特的特征在任何其他山区都不重复。安第斯山脉塑造了南美洲的天气和气候。然而，对受令人生畏的海拔梯度影响的大气现象的正确理解仍然落后于产生详细和一致的气候预测所需的东西。尽管取得了重大进展，但全球模式对受复杂地形影响的关键降水和环流过程的描述存在偏差。由于缺乏协调的观测，其结果是设计防备措施的信息有限，特别是面对极端气候事件时。同样令人担忧的是，在城市化密集的国家，空气质量问题面临着脱碳挑战，并共同面临着社会不平等和政治动荡的遗留问题。安第斯地区的复杂性加大了所有共享其影响力的国家内部的风险。因此，需要采取紧急行动，改善气候和空气质量评估，其直接目的是加强决策进程。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

Elementa-Science of the Anthropocene Earth and Planetary Sciences-Atmospheric Science

CiteScore

6.90

自引率

5.10%

发文量

审稿时长

16 weeks

期刊介绍： A new open-access scientific journal, Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene publishes original research reporting on new knowledge of the Earth’s physical, chemical, and biological systems; interactions between human and natural systems; and steps that can be taken to mitigate and adapt to global change. Elementa reports on fundamental advancements in research organized initially into six knowledge domains, embracing the concept that basic knowledge can foster sustainable solutions for society. Elementa is published on an open-access, public-good basis—available freely and immediately to the world.