Participants focused on applying software programs to simulate coupled phenomena in the ocean and atmosphere to understand climatic changes. Specifically, the CROCO program was used for the ocean model and WRF for the atmosphere model, both coupled through the Ocean Atmosphere Sea Ice Sol coupler.
The course aimed to use these models together, facilitating a smooth exchange of information between the climate and ocean models to simulate interactions. Dr. Vera Oerder, a professor at the University of Concepción and the course instructor, explains the relevance of this coupled modeling and its impact on climate change studies: “Climate change is a phenomenon that first occurs in the atmosphere due to CO₂ emissions and other gases we emit. However, the warming it induces, wind changes, or climate changes in turn impact the ocean, causing changes that feedback into the system”, said.
The fundamental aspect of this course is not merely knowing how to use these programs individually, but understanding the "conversations" occurring between coupled ocean and atmosphere simulations. “If we want to know how the climate will change, we cannot just represent what happens in the atmosphere; we need to have the ocean involved in the information exchange”, Dr. Oerder stated. The course included not only theoretical components but also significant practical components. This was made possible by the facilities at the San Ignacio del Huinay Foundation, which allowed for sampling of the true conditions of the fjord and the use of the meteorological station, providing direct application of the learned material.
