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NAME(ACRONYM):
The Image Development Group at RIVM.
(IMAGE)

ABSTRACT/SUMMARY:

The IMAGE 2.0 Model is a multi-disciplinary, integrated model designed to simulate the dynamics of the global society- biosphere- climate system. The objectives of the model are to investigate linkages and feedbacks in the system, and to evaluate consequences of climate policies. Dynamic calculations are performed to year 2100, with a spatial scale ranging from grid (0.5 x 0.5 degrees latitude-longitude) to world regional level, depending on the submodel. The model consists of three fully linked sub-systems:

Energy-Industry,
Terrestrial Environment, and
Atmosphere-Ocean.

The Energy-Industry Model computes the emissions of greenhouse gases in 13 world regions as a function of energy consumption and industrial production. End use energy consumption is computed from various economic/demographic driving forces.

The Terrestrial Environment Model simulates the changes in global land cover on a grid-scale based on climatic and economic factors, and the flux of CO2 and other greenhouse gases from the biosphere to the atmosphere.

The Atmosphere-Ocean Model computes the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and the resulting zonal-average temperature and precipitation patterns. The fully linked model has been tested against data from 1970 to 1990, and after calibration can reproduce the following observed trends:

regional energy consumption and energy-related emissions,
terrestrial flux of CO2 and emissions of greenhouse gases,
concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and
transformation of land cover.

The model can also simulate long term zonal average surface and vertical temperatures.

Four standard scenarios are included for selected aspects of the society- biosphere- climate system including primary energy consumption, emissions of various greenhouse gases, atmospheric concentrations of gases, temperature, precipitation, land cover and other indicators.

These scenarios, computed with IMAGE 2.0, are presented for selected aspects of the society-biosphere-climate system including primary energy consumption, emissions of various greenhouse gases, atmospheric concentrations of gases, temperature, precipitation, land cover and other indicators. Included are a "Conventional Wisdom" scenario, and three variations of this scenario :

o The Conventional Wisdom Scenario: is a reference case which is partly based on the input assumptions of the IPCC's IS92a scenario;
o The "Biofuel Crops" Scenario: assumes that most biofuels will be derived from new cropland;
o The "No Biofuels" Scenario: examines the sensitivity of the system to the use of biofuels; and
o The "Ocean Realignment" scenario: investigates the effect of a large-scale change in ocean circulation on the biosphere and climate.

Results of the biofuel scenarios illustrate the importance of examining the impact of biofuels on the full range of greenhouse gases, rather than only CO2. These scenarios also indicate possible side effects of the land requirements for energy crops. The Ocean Realignment Scenario shows that an unexpected, low probability event can both enhance the build-up of greenhouse gases, and at the same time cause a temporary cooling of surface air temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere. However , warming of the atmosphere is only delayed, not avoided.

ARCHIVAL/ACCESS:

Distributor: CIESIN
CIESIN currently distributes The Conventional Wisdom Scenario. Third party users must in any presentation/publication of this material acknowledge the IMAGE project and RIVM with this phrase. Future enhancements include the inclusion of the other computed scenarios for distribution. Access to the IMAGE model will also be provided allowing third party users to submit scenarios for processing. The results, scenarios, may be nominated for distribution to the international community via CIESIN.
- About CIESIN
- Temporal: 1970-2100.
- Spatial: All countries.
- Resolution: 1/2 by 1/2 degree grid across the entire globe.
- Documentation: These Mosaic pages.
  
  NOTE:
  Very modest documentation is available for this large and complex data set. Accordingly, novice users should not expect that they will be able to work successfully with these data. However, users with strong technical skills and knowledge of integrated modelling techniques may find that the data available here are useful. RIVM cannot support users who obtain this data via CIESIN. Furthermore, CIESIN currently has only a limited capability to provide support to users of these data. However, CIESIN will work over time to improve the available documentation and support.
Other Sources:
- Producer: RIVM, The Image Development Group, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
  - About RIVM.
  - Who's Who.

DATASET DESCRIPTION:

Documentation:
The documentation of the Image Model is primarily contained within these Mosaic pages. Two published artlices provide a detailed description of the model and computed scenarios (see section on Related Documentation)
Layout:
Output files are provided in a variety of formats and layouts. Some files are aggregated tables spanning the entire simulation time, while others present data for typically 5-year intervals.
Universe:
Calculations are performed with the Image Model for each 1/2 by 1/2 degree grid covering the entire globe. Most of the data presented involves only those gridcells with a portion of the grid coverage in land area (approximately 61,500 cells).
Design and Methodology:
The model description and testing phases are described in detail in the articles presented within this page.
Variables:
The contents of the output files are currently poorly described. In the future, more detailed readme files will be created describing the output data file contents. However, a brief summary is provided.

RELATED DATASETS:

: Additional datasets and resources may be located through the CIESIN's Gateway.

RELATED PUBLICATIONS:

"Image2.0 Integrated Modeling of Global Climate Change, 1994". 
    Edited by Joe Alcamo with papers by T he Image Group. 
       Kluwer Academic Publishers, ISBN 0-7923-2860-4.

Article :

Modeling the Global Society-Biosphere-Climate System: 
      Part I: Model Description and Testing.

Article :

Modeling the Global Society-Biosphere-Climate System: 
      Part II: Computed Scenarios

CONTACTS/REFERENCES:

For RIVM contacts within the The Image Development Group consult the Who's Who page.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

NAME: CIESIN User Services
EMAIL: ciesin.info@ciesin.org
PHONE: 517-797-2727
FAX: 517-797-2622
ADDRESS:

CIESIN
2250 Pierce Road,
University Center, MI USA

KEYWORDS:

Integrated Modeling, Integrated Assessment, Greenhouse Gas Emmissions, Global Change, Climate Change, Land Cover Change, C Cycle, Carbon Cycle, Scenario Analysis, Biofuels.