EARTH SYSTEM PHYSICS SEMINARS

[pandora]

EARTH SYSTEM PHYSICS 
EXTERNAL SEMINAR SERIES

Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Euler Lecture Hall,  LB Terrace Level,  15:00 hrs

Warren WASHINGTON
National Center for Atmospheric Research
Boulder, Colorado

20th AND 21st CENTURY CLIMATE CHANGE:
COMPUTER MODELING, SOCIETAL IMPACTS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Everyone knows that climate has always changed. The most recent 
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment report has 
convinced most climate scientists that humankind is changing the earth's 
climate and that significant global warming is taking place. For this 
scientific assessment   the IPCC recently shared the Nobel Peace Prize 
with Al Gore.

Some scientists are skeptical of the IPCC view and think the observed 
changes result from natural climate variability or other causes. A brief 
review of recently observed 20th century climate change will be 
presented and compared with climate model simulations. These computer 
simulations are extended into the 21st century and beyond. A brief 
description of what is in climate models will be given with an emphasis 
on the physical mechanisms. If the world decides to shift from a fossil 
fuel based energy strategy to increased conservation, renewables, and 
possibly nuclear, we can show computer simulations of the future climate 
change from such a low carbon emission scenario. Finally, at the end 
there will be a discussion of the scientific uncertainties and societal 
impacts along with an analysis of policy options including possible 
geoengineering the climate system. The issue of environmental justice 
will also be addressed.

Biographical information:
http://www.ucar.edu/library/collections/washington/
http://www.cgd.ucar.edu/ccr/warren/


Everyone is most welcome.