Mathematics & Climate

Techniques from mathematics and statistics are used to explore questions of contemporary importance arising from climate science and sustainability.

Hans Kaper (Author), Hans Enger (Author)

9781611972603

Paperback / softback, published 30 October 2013

315 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2 cm, 0.582 kg

Many issues of contemporary importance in climate science can be explored using techniques from mathematics and statistics. This timely textbook introduces students and researchers to the conceptual models that capture important aspects of the Earth's climate system and the mathematical and statistical techniques that can be applied to their analysis. Topics covered include the Earth's energy balance, temperature distribution, ocean circulation patterns such as El Niño, and the carbon cycle. Among the mathematical and statistical techniques presented are dynamical systems and bifurcation theory, Fourier analysis, conservation laws, regression analysis, and extreme value theory. Each chapter ends with exercises, making this book ideal for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students in the mathematical sciences who are familiar with linear algebra, calculus, and basic statistics. It will also appeal to applied mathematicians and statisticians in academia, national laboratories, and public service organisations.

1. Climate and mathematics
2. Earth's energy budget
3. Oceans and climate
4. Dynamical systems
5. Bifurcation theory
6. Stommel's box model
7. Lorenz equations
8. Climate and statistics
9. Regression analysis
10. Mauna Loa CO2 data
11. Fourier transforms
12. Zonal energy budget
13. Atmosphere and climate
14. Hydrodynamics
15. Climate models
16. El Niño-southern oscillation
17. Cryosphere and climate
18. Biogeochemistry
19. Extreme events
20. Data assimilation
Appendix A. Units and symbols
Appendix B. Glossary
Appendix C. MATLAB codes.

Subject Areas: Miscellaneous items [WZ]