Introduction

Climate System

Causes of Climate Change

Empirical Study of Climate

Climate Modelling

Palaeoclimatic Change

Contemporary Climate Change

Epilogue
Appendix
References

6.5.2. Greenhouse Warming Potentials

Although there are a number of ways of measuring and contrasting the radiative forcing potential of different greenhouse gases, the Global Warming Potential (GWP) is perhaps the most useful, particularly as a policy instrument. GWPs take account of the various factors influencing the radiative forcing potential of greenhouse gases. Such measures combine the calculations of the absorption strength of a molecule with assessments of its atmospheric lifetime; it can also include the indirect greenhouse effects due to chemical changes in the atmosphere caused by the gas. A number of GWPs are listed in Table 6.3 (IPCC, 1995).

Table 6.3. Global Warming Potentials of the major greenhouse gases

Greenhouse Effect

Enhanced G-Effect

Greenhouse Gases
 -Carbon Dioxide
  ·Sources
  ·Sinks
  ·Carbon Cycle
  ·Concentrations
  ·Equilibrium
 -Methane
  ·Sources
  ·Sinks
  ·Concentrations
 -Nitrous Oxide
  ·Sources
  ·Sinks
  ·Concentrations
 -Halocarbons
  ·Sources
  ·Sinks
  ·Concentrations
 -Ozone
 -Other Gases
 -Lifetimes
 -Summary

Greenhouse Forcing
 -Forcing Factors
 -GWPs
 -ΔF-ΔC
 -1765 to 1990
 -Ozone

Aerosols
 -Sources & Sinks
 -Forcing
  ·Direct
  ·Indirect
 -Total Forcing

Climate Variations
 -Surface Temp.
 -Precipitation
 -Other
  ·Stratosphere
  ·Cryosphere
  ·Atmos. Circulation
  ·Cloudiness

Detection
 -Modelling
 -Attribution
  ·Latitudes.
  ·Stratosphere
  ·Precipitation
  ·Sea Level
  ·Fingerprints
 -When?

Future Climate
 -GCM Simulations
 -Feedbacks
  ·Water Vapour
  ·Clouds
  ·Ice Albedo
  ·G-house Gases
 -21st Century

Impacts
 -Agriculture
 -Forestry
 -Ecosystems
 -Water Resources
 -Oceans/Coasts
 -Human & Health

Responses
 -Stabilising
 -FCCC
 -Kyoto Protocol
 -UK Programme
  ·Energy Demand
  ·Energy Supply
 -Evaluation