Understanding Climate Change Feedbacks

National Research Council, Division on Earth and Life Studies, Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, Climate Research Committee, Panel on Climate Change Feedbacks

ISBN 10: 0309090725 / ISBN 13: 9780309090728

Published by National Academies Press, 2003

About this Item

Seller Inventory # mon0002965569

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Understanding Climate Change Feedbacks
• Publisher: National Academies Press
• Publication Date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0309090725
• ISBN 13: 9780309090728
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

During the past decade, scientists have learned much about the complex natural processes that influence climate variability and change, and our ability to model climate has increased significantly. We also have begun to better identify those parts of the climate system that are particularly important and not well understood and that therefore limit our ability to project the future evolution of Earth's climate. One of these critical areas is our understanding of the role of feedbacks in the climate system and their role in determining climate sensitivity. Feedbacks are processes in the climate system that can either amplify or dampen the system's response to changed forcings. This study looks at what is known and not known about climate change feedbacks and seeks to identify the feedback processes most in need of improved understanding. It identifies key observations needed to monitor and understand climate feedbacks, discusses ways to evaluate progress in understanding climate feedbacks, recommends ways to improve climate modeling and analysis for climate feedbacks research, and identifies priority areas for research.

About the Author

Panel on Climate Change Feedbacks, Climate Research Committee, National Research Council