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Climate of the earth: an overview
1Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Earth's climate has fluctuated dramatically, driven by carbon dioxide (CO2) and ocean circulation. Understanding past rapid climate shifts is crucial for predicting future climate change impacts from greenhouse gases.
Area of Science:
- Paleoclimatology
- Oceanography
- Climate Science
Background:
- Earth's climate history shows extreme variations, from warm Cretaceous-Eocene periods to glacial ages.
- Past rapid climate shifts, like the Younger Dryas and Little Ice Age, occurred on centennial to decadal timescales.
- These fluctuations are linked to changes in ocean circulation, particularly North Atlantic deep water production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of carbon dioxide (CO2) and ocean circulation in major climate shifts.
- To investigate mechanisms linking ocean circulation changes to global climate shifts.
- To contextualize current climate change from greenhouse gases using paleoclimate data.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of past climate records, including a 10,000-year climate record from Norway.
- Discussion of mechanisms driving rapid climate fluctuations and ocean circulation changes.
- Review of data from past climatic events such as the Younger Dryas and Little Ice Age.
Main Results:
- Major climate shifts are primarily controlled by variations in CO2 and ocean circulation patterns.
- Rapid climate changes are associated with alterations in deep and intermediate water circulation.
- Paleoclimate studies highlight important processes and feedbacks relevant to current climate change.
Conclusions:
- Understanding past rapid climate changes provides context for predicting future climate responses to greenhouse gases.
- Predicting near-term climate responses to increased greenhouse gases remains challenging.
- Paleoclimate research is vital for developing credible climate models and understanding climate sensitivity.
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