From: Keith Briffa <k.briffa@uea.ac.uk>
To: Jonathan Overpeck <jto@u.arizona.edu>, Tom Crowley <tcrowley@duke.edu>
Subject: Re: CLA feedback on Tom and the MWP
Date: Wed Jul 20 12:18:22 2005
Cc: Eystein Jansen <eystein.jansen@geo.uib.no>,t.osborn@uea.ac.uk

   Hi all
   think this is resolved now (virtually) -
   We use series that total to Tom/Gabi composite , and we can cite this as an example of the
   scatter of regional records "in a typical reconstruction". This avoids very difficult issue
   of what is the best way to aggregate certain data sets - we are simply illustrating the
   point with one published (by then) data set.
   The issue of the composite is then not an issue either , because it is not a new
   (unpublished) composite that we were concerned about - though I still believe it is a
   distraction to put the composite in. It would be best to use data from 800 or 850 at least
   , and go to 1500 (?) and presumably normalise over the whole period of data shown. OK? Even
   though you guys all wish to go with the reduced period (ie not up the present) , but my own
   instinct is that this might later come back to haunt us - but will take your lead.
   I agree the look of the Figure should match the others.
   So, if Tom will send the data sets (his regional curves) , Tim will plot and send back asap
   for scrutiny.  Thanks Tom and thanks for your help with this - further comments on latest
   version of 6.5 (last 2000 years) still welcome , though will be incorporating a few changes
   in response to David and Fortunat input , and SH  bit (from Ricardo and Ed) still to go in
   and regional section to be revised  (after input from Peck et al.)
   cheers
   Keith
   .

    At 21:42 19/07/2005, Jonathan Overpeck wrote:

     Hi Keith and Tim: Just got off the phone with Eystein, and hopefully he will sleep ok
     knowing that we have a plan for the MWP fig and Tom...
     Please ask questions if we don't cover all the key points, but here's what we think:
     1) the MWP fig should span the MWP only, and should emphasize variation in regional
     amplitude (we agree that we must be clear that this fig is not a reconstruction) - that
     is, it is best to use time series representing regions, assuming that the regional
     series do represent a region ok with one or more input series. We want to avoid a
     regional bias if we can - this is what got us into all the MWP misunderstanding in the
     first place, perhaps (e.g., nice MWP in Europe/Atlantic region - must be global)
     2) If you guys could agree on the series and the interval, that'd be great. We agree it
     would be good to start before 1000 and end before the Renaissance (15th century?). If
     you want more feedback on these issues, we're happy to provide, but it seems logical
     that you pick series and intervals so that each series covers the entire interval
     selected.
     3) Don't use the Chesapeak record - it is likely biased by salinity
     4) We'd like Keith and Tim to draft the final figure so that it matches the look and
     style of the other two figs they have made. Hope this is doable. Tom, does Keith have
     all the data? Thanks for sending if not.
     5) We agree that Tom should NOT be a CA given that he was officially one of the ZOD
     reviewers. Of course, this doesn't represent a real conflict, but we need to avoid even
     the appearance of conflict. We greatly appreciate all the feedback that Tom is
     providing! Is this plan ok w/ you Tom? We think you're cool with it, but just want to
     check one more time.
     That... it is. Please let us know if there are any more questions. Keith - feel free to
     try and get Eystein on his cell doing your work hours if you want quick feedback. Or we
     can do this by email - he's not in a very email friendly place right now, but the
     fishing appears to be ok.
     Again, thanks to you both for all the discussion and thought that has gone into this
     figure.
     Best, peck
     --
     Jonathan T. Overpeck
     Director, Institute for the Study of Planet Earth
     Professor, Department of Geosciences
     Professor, Department of Atmospheric Sciences
     Mail and Fedex Address:
     Institute for the Study of Planet Earth
     715 N. Park Ave. 2nd Floor
     University of Arizona
     Tucson, AZ 85721
     direct tel: +1 520 622-9065
     fax: +1 520 792-8795
     [1]http://www.geo.arizona.edu/
     [2]http://www.ispe.arizona.edu/

   --
   Professor Keith Briffa,
   Climatic Research Unit
   University of East Anglia
   Norwich, NR4 7TJ, U.K.

   Phone: +44-1603-593909
   Fax: +44-1603-507784
   [3]http://www.cru.uea.ac.uk/cru/people/briffa/

References

   1. http://www.geo.arizona.edu/
   2. http://www.ispe.arizona.edu/
   3. http://www.cru.uea.ac.uk/cru/people/briffa/

