Gordon Research Conference: Theoretical and Observational Constraints on Climate System Behavior


The Radiation and Climate GRC is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes a diverse range of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, with lasting collaborations and friendships. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field.

Process interactions within the Earth system drive our climate to evolve in complex and seemingly chaotic ways. Underneath this complexity lies a fundamental coherence that is exemplified in the structure of atmospheric and oceanic circulations, preferred modes and timescales of variability, and can be readily seen as patterns in the clouds. Understanding the fundamental drivers of this coherence, dictated in part by conservation principles and power law relationships, remains a challenge at the frontiers of radiation and climate science. Leveraging this underlying coherence carries great potential for increasing our understanding of climate system behavior and improving our modeling and predictive capabilities. Moreover, knowledge of theoretical and observational constraints on the climate system enhances our confidence in climate projections to inform societal resilience actions. The power of understanding such constraints on climate system behavior motivates the theme of the 2023 Gordon Research Conference in Radiation and Climate “Theoretical and Observational Constrains on Climate System Behavior.” The conference brings together leading experts in radiation and climate science to generate discussions on theoretical or observational constraints on climate system behavior and the potential for these constraints to advance our understanding of the climate system and projections of climate change. The conference will emphasize opportunities for interactions between these experts and junior scientist and graduate students.

This Gordon Research Conference will be held in conjunction with the “Radiation and Climate” Gordon Research Seminar (GRS). Those interested in attending both meetings must submit an application for the GRS in addition to an application for the GRC. Refer to the associated GRS program page for more information.