title: Rapid climate change: scientific challenges and the new NERC programme.
abstract: In this paper the scientific challenges of observing, modelling, understanding and predicting rapid changes in climate are discussed, with a specific focus on the role of the Atlantic thermohaline circulation. The palaeo and present-day observational and modelling studies being carried out to meet these challenges, under the aegis of a new NERC Rapid Climate Change thematic programme (RAPID), are outlined. In particular, the paper describes the work being done to monitor changes in the meridional overturning circulation of the North Atlantic. The paper concludes with some speculative comments about potential mechanisms for rapid changes.
authors.affiliation: Southampton Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK. m.srokosz@soc.soton.ac.uk
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Srokosz
mesh_terms: D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D002980:Climate; D003081:Cold Climate; D003198:Computer Simulation; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D012106:Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012107:Research Design; D006113:United Kingdom; D014872:Water Movements