The Changing Flow of Energy Through the Climate System

Elegant, novel explanation of climate change, emphasizing physical understanding and concepts, while avoiding complex mathematics, supported by excellent color illustrations.

Kevin E. Trenberth (Author)

9781108972468, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 13 January 2022

334 pages
24.5 x 19 x 1.5 cm, 0.74 kg

'… a highly accessible treatment of contemporary climate science … Ideal for non-experts, this volume avoids overly technical language yet still describes complex climate system changes … Highly recommended.' J. Schoof, Choice

Kevin E. Trenberth emphasizes the fundamental role of energy flows in the climate system and anthropogenic climate change. The distribution of heat, or more generally, energy, is the main determinant of weather patterns in the atmosphere and their impacts. The topics addressed cover many facets of climate and the climate crisis. These include the diurnal cycle; the seasons; energy differences between the continents and the oceans, the poles and the tropics; interannual variability such as Niño; natural decadal variability; and ice ages. Human-induced climate change rides on and interacts with all of these natural phenomena, and the result is an unevenly warming planet and changing weather extremes. The book emphasizes the need to not only slow or stop climate change, but also to better prepare for it and build resilience. Students, researchers, and professionals from a wide range of backgrounds will benefit from this deeper understanding of climate change.

1. Earth and Climate System
2. Earth's Energy Imbalance and Climate Change
3. Earth's Energy Balance
4. The Sun-Earth System
5. Observations of Temperature, Moisture, Precipitation and Radiation
6. The Climate System
7. The Weather Machine
8. The Dynamic Ocean
9. Poleward Heat Transports by the Atmosphere and Ocean
10. The Changing Hydrological Cycle
11. Teleconnections and Patterns of Variability
12. El Niño
13. Feedbacks and Climate Sensitivity
14. Earth's Energy Imbalance Estimates
15. Attribution and the Hiatus
16. Prediction and Projection
17. Emissions and Information
18. Climate Change and Environmental Issues
References and further reading
Bibliography
Glossary
Acronyms
Index.

Subject Areas: Heat transfer processes [THN], Climate change [RNPG], Grasslands, heaths, prairies, tundra [RGBC], Oceanography [seas RBKC], Stratigraphy [RBGH], Atmospheric physics [PHVJ], Energy [PHDY]