Radiative Forcing of Climate Change: Expanding the Concept and Addressing Uncertainties

National Research Council; Division on Earth and Life Studies; Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate; Climate Research Committee; Committee on Radiative Forcing Effects on Climate

ISBN 10: 0309095069 / ISBN 13: 9780309095068

Published by National Academies Press (edition ), 2005

About this Item

It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting.

Seller Inventory # 0309095069-11-1

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Radiative Forcing of Climate Change: Expanding the Concept and Addressing Uncertainties
• Publisher: National Academies Press (edition )
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0309095069
• ISBN 13: 9780309095068
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

Changes in climate are driven by natural and human-induced perturbations of the Earth's energy balance. These climate drivers or "forcings" include variations in greenhouse gases, aerosols, land use, and the amount of energy Earth receives from the Sun. Although climate throughout Earth's history has varied from "snowball" conditions with global ice cover to "hothouse" conditions when glaciers all but disappeared, the climate over the past 10,000 years has been remarkably stable and favorable to human civilization. Increasing evidence points to a large human impact on global climate over the past century. The report reviews current knowledge of climate forcings and recommends critical research needed to improve understanding. Whereas emphasis to date has been on how these climate forcings affect global mean temperature, the report finds that regional variation and climate impacts other than temperature deserve increased attention.

About the Author

Committee on Radiative Forcing Effects on Climate, Climate Research Committee, National Research Council