cc: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , date: Tue, 4 Dec 2001 21:20:53 -0000 from: "Andrew Watson" subject: Re: Rapid draft Science and Implementation Plans to: "Jochem Marotzke" , "Meric Srokosz" Dear all 1) We are charged with producing a coherent programme. Because of the comparatively large amount of resources we have, we have the opportunity (rare in the history of NERC!), to actually achieve something worthhile. But we must have a focus for the programme, and (I agree with Jochem and Nick) that focus must be the THC. Without such a focus, we may easily spend 20 million on this, that and the other and achieve nothing very much. 2) There is a tension between creating a focussed program and ensuring that we do not cut out some part of the community that can importantly contribute. The science plan therefore should be inclusive rather than exclusive, but should not commit us to doing something about everything. I personally think that the version sent out gets more or less the right balance, and that it already includes the views of most of those who have so far criticised it. In particular, the present version seems to be OK on the issue of atmosphere-ocean coupling. It doesn't overly emhphasise it, but given that that NERC has already funded COAPEC with nearly £5 million precisely on that subject, that is sensible. On the other hand, coupled ocean-atmosphere modelling studies are clearly part of this programme via objectives 5 and 6. 3) The implementation plan says more or less nothing at this stage. Ultimately however, it is probably more important than the science plan -- the programme will actually be defined by what we do. Also, the wording of the announcements of opportunity will be critically important. These, and the subsequent decisions about what is funded or commissioned, will be what shapes the programme. In this context, I note that we are supposed to discuss, as agenda item 7 at the upcoming meeting, "Announcement of opportunity for observations of the North Atlantic THC". I think this is a bit premature, and we should first discuss "Announcement of opportunity for design studies of strategies for observing the north atlantic THC". Cheers, Andy *********************************** Prof Andrew J. Watson email: a.watson@uea.ac.uk or : a.j.watson@uea.ac.uk phone: (44) 1603 593761 direct 1603 456161 switchboard 1603 507719 fax School of Environmental Sciences University of East Anglia NORWICH NR4 7TJ U.K. http://www.uea.ac.uk/~ajw/ajw.htm ***********************************