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Contents

Introduction

Climate System

Causes of Climate Change

Empirical Study of Climate

Climate Modelling

Palaeoclimatic Change

Contemporary Climate Change

Epilogue
Appendix
References

 

6.7.3.3. Variations in Atmospheric Circulation

The atmospheric circulation is the main control behind regional changes in wind, temperature, precipitation, moisture and other climatic variables. Variations in many of these are quite strongly related through large-scale features of the atmospheric circulation. Changes in a number of circulation features, including El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events in the south-east Pacific, mid-latitude Northern Hemisphere westerlies and the location and intensity of the Aleutian low pressure system in the North Pacific, may all be related to the more general global warming of the twentieth century (Folland et al., 1990).

  Introduction

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

Conclusion