Many questions concerning the predicted impacts of climate variability, such as the North Atlantic Oscillation and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, on the marine environment are still unanswered. Attempts have been made to answer those questions but it has become clear that more actions are needed in order to formulate clear responses. However, the expertise on patterns of climate variability and their projected changes in future climate lies in the Climate Variability and Predictability project (CLIVAR). Amongst other research objectives, CLIVAR focuses on the role of the coupled ocean and atmosphere within the overall climate system, with emphasis on variability, especially within the oceans, on seasonal to centennial time scales, and the response of the climate system to anthropogenic forcing.

Consequently, it has become clear that a collaborative effort between physical climate science and marine biogeochemistry/ecosystems communities is needed to address those questions. This training workshop will bring together those two different scientific communities to address the issues mentioned above.

The GOALS of the training workshop are:

To increase the interactions between physical climate science and marine biogeochemistry/ecosystems communities with focus on impacts of climate variability on the marine environment;

To foster cooperation between physical climate scientist and marine scientists;

To take stock of IPCC 4AR results, ocean/atmosphere reanalysis data, observational data where relevant for impacts on the marine environment.