Kooiti Masuda

Interannual Variability of Summer Water Balance Components in Three Major River Basins of Northern Eurasia

Abstract This study investigated water balance components in the three major river basins of Siberia (the Lena, Yenisey, and Ob) based on the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)–Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project II (AMIP-II) reanalysis. The primary focus is the nature of the interannual signatures of summer precipitation, moisture convergence, and runoff in individual basins, and their linkage to the large-scale water transport and circulation fields over northern Eurasia from 1979 to 1995. The temporal characteristics of the hydrological cycle and the associated large-scale circulation structure are discussed. Some interesting features are found in the interannual variability of basin-scale hydrometeorological elements. In the Lena and Ob basins, the temporal signatures of both precipitation and moisture convergence indicate a cycle of approximately 6 to 8 yr. The mid- and late-summer runoff variation is significantly correlated with these two elements....

Transdisciplinary co-design of scientific research agendas: 40 research questions for socially relevant climate engineering research

Interest in climate engineering research has grown rapidly owing to the slow progress of international climate negotiations. As some scientists are proposing to expand research and conduct field tests, there is an emerging debate about whether and how it should proceed. It is widely accepted both by the supporters and critics that public engagement from the early stage of research is necessary. Nonetheless, most, if not all, of existing research projects of climate engineering were designed predominantly by experts. To produce socially relevant knowledge, and hence, pursue transdisciplinary research that integrates interdisciplinary research and public engagement, it is desirable for scientists to decide together with the public on what kind of research should be done. In this paper, we both as Japanese scientists and stakeholders collaboratively identify 40 socially relevant research questions on climate engineering with a particular emphasis on stratospheric aerosol injection, using a method designed to encourage science–policy collaboration. While we acknowledge some methodological problems and the difficulty in obtaining active participation from stakeholders, the list of identified questions covers broad interdisciplinary perspectives and diverse interests, and may provide an important foundation for future transdisciplinary research on climate engineering. Given the dynamic nature of climate change and policy responses, research agendas should be periodically and iteratively reviewed and updated through transdisciplinary processes.