How are computer models employed in climate change research? Describe several scenarios for 21st century climate change
What will be an ideal response?
"Modeling climate is an essential strategy for exploring the potential future impacts of rising GHGs. Climatologists employ the same powerful computers used for weather forecasting and have combined global atmospheric circulation patterns with ocean circulation and radiation feedback from clouds to produce coupled general circulation models (CGCMs) that are capable of simulating long-term climatic conditions. . . . (T)he main purpose of the models is to project the future global climate."
"The A1 scenarios reflect a world in which population reaches its peak in mid-century and then declines; economic growth is rapid, and new technologies are employed. A1F1 shows a fossil-fuel-intensive society, A1T reflects shifts to non-fossil energy sources. The A2 series reflects a world of independent countries going their own way, with increasing population and varied economic growth and technological change. B1 reflects a world with population developments as in A1, but with rapid changes in economies and effective global cooperation to reach sustainability in all sectors. B2 has increasing populations and more regional adaptations, as in the A2 series, but with significant efforts to achieve sustainability. IS92a is a scenario carried over from the second IPCC assessment, for comparison purposes."
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Begin in the west and move across the map to the east, briefly explaining why the actual 16°C (60°F) isotherm deviates from the hypothetical.
Using a straightedge, draw a line across the July temperature map (Map T-28b; shown in color at the back of the Lab Manual) from point “A” to point “B.” This reference line can be thought of as the “hypothetical” position of the 16°C (60°F) isotherm were there no land–water contrasts, ocean currents, and so on. Compare the actual 16°C isotherm, with the line you have just drawn. In places where the actual 16°C isotherm is south of the hypothetical line, temperatures are lower than expected; in places where the actual 16°C isotherm is north of the hypothetical line, temperatures are higher than expected.
Clouds continually are pulled to the ground by gravity. Why do they stay aloft?
A. New cloud droplets continually replace those that fall to Earth's surface. B. Water evaporating from Earth's surface presents an opposing force to the falling cloud droplets. C. Updrafts of air oppose the gravitational force. D. Clouds weigh so little that they fall too slowly to be noticed.
Nitrous oxide enters the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels and
A. rice paddies. B. use of fertilizers. C. wetlands. D. cattle.
Over the last two decades, the Antarctic ice sheet has lost mass. However, the Greenland ice sheet has actually gained mass due to increased winter precipitation
Indicate whether the statement is true or false