Essentials of the Earth's Climate System

A concise, non-mathematical, full-color introduction to modern climatology, covering the key topics of climate science for intermediate undergraduate students.

Roger G. Barry (Author), Eileen A. Hall-McKim (Author)

9781107620490, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 17 March 2014

271 pages, 20 b/w illus. 110 colour illus. 108 exercises
24.6 x 18.8 x 1.2 cm, 0.6 kg

'… [The book's] descriptions of complex phenomena are excellent. This is the result of arranging subjects progressively by chapter, and a clarity of narrative, together with a superb layout that includes well-chosen illustrations, summaries, and explanatory inset boxes … Essentials of the Earth's Climate System deserves a place with meteorologists, oceanographers looking for insights into climate classification, and those working in interdisciplinary social sciences and policy fields.' J. J. P. Smith, Bulletin of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society

This concise introduction to modern climatology covers the key topics for intermediate undergraduate students on one-semester courses. The treatment of topics is non-mathematical wherever possible, instead focusing on physical processes to allow students to grasp concepts more easily. Full-color illustrations support the text and supplementary topics are covered in boxes, enabling students to further increase their knowledge and awareness. A historical perspective of climatology is woven throughout, providing students with an insight into key scientists and technological developments. Each chapter concludes with a summary of the main points and a mixture of review and discussion questions, encouraging students to check their understanding and think critically. A list of key web links to data and other resources, and solutions and hints to answers to the student questions (password-protected for instructors) are provided online to complete the teaching package.

Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction
2. Elements of climate: a global view of energy and moisture
3. Elements of climate: a global view of pressure, winds and storms
4. Local and microclimates
5. The general circulation
6. Circulation modes
7. Synoptic climatology
8. Land and sea effects
9. Climate types on land
10. Past climates
11. Future climate
12. Applied climatology
Appendix: list of units
Glossary
References
Index.

Subject Areas: The environment [RN], Earth sciences, geography, environment, planning [R]