Downscaling global climate models to an island scale

Using the island of O‘ahu, this figure demonstrates the concept of downscaling global climate models to an island scale. In a model with a coarse grid size, as in the top left corner, pixels are so large that climate projections are not useful for resource management. The process of model downscaling provides a better representation of crucial topography and microclimates that are necessary for local resource mangement.

Figure by Laura Brewington, East-West Center

Appears in: Expert Consensus on Downscaled Climate Projections for the Main Hawaiian Islands