A Climate Modelling Primer

McGuffie (U. of Technology, Sydney, Australia) and Henderson-Sellers (ANSTO Environment, Australia) update their textbook for advanced undergraduate courses in climate modeling, economic forecasting, computer sciences, and earth sciences and for readers who are not meteorologists by training. They assume students have basic high-school mathematics, but say that in fact the mathematical development and other detailed sections can be skipped without prejudice to later sections. The first edition was published in 1987 and the second in 1995. The third contains substantial updates where required, redrawn figures, and much new material. The disk provides visualizations and models, including figures suitable for lectures or presentations. As a consequence of recent increased awareness of the social and political dimensions of climate, many non-specialists discover a need for information about the variety of available climate models. A Climate Modelling Primer, Third Edition explains the basis and mechanisms of all types of current physically-based climate models. A thoroughly revised and updated edition, this book assists the reader in understanding the complexities and applicabilities of today's wide range of climate models. Topics covered include the latest techniques for modelling the coupled biosphere-ocean-atmosphere system, information on current practical aspects of climate modelling and ways to evaluate and exploit the results, discussion of Earth System Models of Intermediate Complexity (EMICs), and interactive exercises based on Energy Balance Model (EBM) and the Daisyworld model. Source codes and results from a range of model types allows readers to make their own climate simulations and to view the results of the latest high resolution models. The accompanying CD contains: A suite of resources for those wishing to learn more about climate modelling. A range of model visualisations. Data from climate models for use in the classroom. Windows and Macintosh programs for an Energy Balance Model. Selected figures from the book for inclusion in presentations and lectures. Suitable for 3rd/4th year undergraduates taking courses in climate modelling, economic forecasting, computer science, environmental science, geography and oceanography. Also of relevance to researchers and professionals working in related disciplines with climate models or who need accessible technical background to climate modelling predictions.

Climate Modelling is a young discipline, not yet thirty years old. Despite this youth, it has great responsibility thrust upon it by the ratification of the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change. The ultimate objective of this Convention is to achieve 'stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system? (Article 2). This volume is designed to explain the basis and mechanisms of all types of physically based climate models and to prepare the reader for the climate modelling literature. The book will assist the reader in understanding the relative complexities and applicabilities of the whole range of climate models without needing to follow each step or parameterization in a particular model. In this new edition, the text has been completely revised and augmented with information from the IPCC Second Scientific Assessment. The latest techniques for modelling the coupled biosphere ocean atmosphere system are also considered. The final chapter includes details of projects which evaluate and exploit the results of climate models. The accompanying CD contains a suite of resources for those wishing to learn more about climate modelling. Source code and results for a range of model types will allow readers to make their own climate simulations ranging from global glaciations to tropical deforestation.

As a consequence of recent increased awareness of the social and political dimensions of climate, many non-specialists discover a need for information about the variety of available climate models. A Climate Modelling Primer, Third Edition explains the basis and mechanisms of all types of current physically-based climate models. A thoroughly revised and updated edition, this book assists the reader in understanding the complexities and applicabilities of todays wide range of climate models. Topics covered include the latest techniques for modelling the coupled biosphere-ocean-atmosphere system, information on current practical aspects of climate modelling and ways to evaluate and exploit the results, discussion of Earth System Models of Intermediate Complexity (EMICs), and interactive exercises based on Energy Balance Model (EBM) and the Daisyworld model. Source codes and results from a range of model types allows readers to make their own climate simulations and to view the results of the latest high resolution models. The accompanying CD Suitable for 3 rd /4 th year undergraduates taking courses in climate modelling, economic forecasting, computer science, environmental science, geography and oceanography. Also of relevance to researchers and professionals working in related disciplines with climate models or who need accessible technical background to climate modelling predictions. This updated edition explains the basis and mechanisms of all types of physically based climate models and prepares the reader for the climate modelling literature