Discuss how global circulation models (GCMs) use processes involved in the Earth's energy budget to understand impacts of global warming. Which specific processes are manipulated in these computer simulations?
What will be an ideal response?
The most useful tools for gauging future changes in a climate are global circulation models. They use mathematical equations to simulate the physical processes of absorption and reflection of sunlight by the atmosphere, the heating of the land and ocean, the circulation of heat from the equator to the poles, and when relevant, changes in the global ocean current patterns.
Scientists vary the global circulation models to simulate different scenarios. The scenarios differ in the assumptions about economic growth, fossil fuel consumption and use, government policies that affect energy use and human actions that increase greenhouse gas emissions. All these factors analyzed together produce different climate interactions, producing different climate change forecasts.
You might also like to view...
Which of the following is one finding of the IPCC report?
A. Most of the temperature increases since 1980 are due to human activities. B. Most of the temperature increases since 1980 are due to natural activities. C. The temperature of the lower atmosphere has gone down by 1.4oF. D. It is likely that the Earth is endangered by global cooling.
Why does sandstone fracture more easily than shale when uplifted?
What will be an ideal response?
If a point on the coast experiences a semi-diurnal tide, what does the daily tide record show?
a) One high tide and one low tide per day b) One high tide (half a tide) one day and one low tide the next c) Either one or two high tides each day, as long as they don't change much d) Two nearly equal high tides and two nearly equal low tides each day e) Two unequal high tides and two unequal low tides each day
In regard to the current state of e-wastes in the U.S., ________
A) only because of the actions of charitable organizations, the recycling rate is 5% B) by EPA mandate, all metals in electronics have been replaced by biodegradable materials C) although the recycling of e-wastes has improved, 60% of e-wastes are still being landfilled and incinerated D) the recycling rate has dropped significantly between 1999 and 2010 E) because the EPA has classified e-wastes as toxic, more than 95% are being recycled