Tom Wigley
Encyclopedia
Tom Wigley is a climate scientist at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
(UCAR). He was named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
(AAAS) for his major contributions to climate and carbon-cycle modeling and to climate data analysis, and because he is "one of the world's foremost experts on climate change and one of the most highly cited scientists in the discipline." Wigley has argued in the popular media that the IPCC
has been too optimistic about the prospect of averting harmful climate change by reducing greenhouse emissions, and that "the human-induced changes that are expected over the next 100 years are much, much greater than any changes that societies experienced in the past."
in Australia. He served as director of the Climatic Research Unit
at the University of East Anglia
in the United Kingdom from 1978 to 1993. In 1993 he went on to the National Center for Atmospheric Research
in Boulder, Colorado
, where he was appointed a senior scientist in 1994.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research is a nonprofit consortium of more than 75 universities offering Ph.D.s in the atmospheric and related sciences. UCAR manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research and provides additional services to strengthen and support research and...
(UCAR). He was named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Association for the Advancement of Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility, and supporting scientific education and science outreach for the...
(AAAS) for his major contributions to climate and carbon-cycle modeling and to climate data analysis, and because he is "one of the world's foremost experts on climate change and one of the most highly cited scientists in the discipline." Wigley has argued in the popular media that the IPCC
IPCC
IPCC may refer to:*Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, of the United Nations*Independent Police Complaints Commission, of England and Wales*Irish Peatland Conservation Council...
has been too optimistic about the prospect of averting harmful climate change by reducing greenhouse emissions, and that "the human-induced changes that are expected over the next 100 years are much, much greater than any changes that societies experienced in the past."
Biography
Tom Wigley was educated as a mathematical physicist and earned his doctorate at the University of AdelaideUniversity of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
in Australia. He served as director of the Climatic Research Unit
Climatic Research Unit
The Climatic Research Unit is a component of the University of East Anglia and is one of the leading institutions concerned with the study of natural and anthropogenic climate change....
at the University of East Anglia
University of East Anglia
The University of East Anglia is a public research university based in Norwich, United Kingdom. It was established in 1963, and is a founder-member of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities.-History:...
in the United Kingdom from 1978 to 1993. In 1993 he went on to the National Center for Atmospheric Research
National Center for Atmospheric Research
The National Center for Atmospheric Research has multiple facilities, including the I. M. Pei-designed Mesa Laboratory headquarters in Boulder, Colorado. NCAR is managed by the nonprofit University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and sponsored by the National Science Foundation...
in Boulder, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
, where he was appointed a senior scientist in 1994.