Natural Climate Variability and Global Warming: A Holocene Perspective

by Editor: Richard W. Battarbee (University College London); Editor: Heather A. Binney (University College, London)

• ISBN13: 9781444300949
• ISBN10: 1444300946
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2009-01-01
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

Whilst there is now overwhelming evidence that greenhouse-gas pollution is becoming the dominant process responsible for global warming, it is also clear that the climate system varies quite naturally on different time-scales. Predicting the course of future climate change consequently requires an understanding of the natural variability of the climate system as well as the effects of human-induced change. This book is concerned with our current understanding of natural climate change, its variability on decadal to centennial time-scales, the extent to which climate models of different kinds simulate past variability, and the role of past climate variability in explaining changes to natural ecosystems and to human society over the later part of the Holocene. The book highlights the need to improve not only our understanding of the physical system through time but also to improve our knowledge of how people may have influenced the climate system in the past and have been influenced by it, both directly and indirectly.This ground-breaking text addresses predictable modification in the climate system in the context of global warming. Ideal for researchers and advanced students, it explores current thinking on natural climate change. Addresses the natural variability of the climate system in the context of global warming Contributes substantially to the ongoing discussion on global warming Integrates state of the art research and brings together modeling and data communities in a balanced way Considers questions of climate change on different time-scales

Table of Contents

Contributors

Abbreviations

Holocene climate variability and global warming

Holocene climate research - progress, paradigms, and problems

The role of people in the Holocene

Modelling the climate of the Holocene

The early to mid-Holocene thermal optimum in the North Atlantic

Holocene climate change and the evidence for solar and other forcings

Climate of the past millennium: combining proxy data and model simulations

Latitudinal linkages in late-Holocene moisture-balance variation

Holocene rapid land-cover changes - evidence and theory

Holocene perspectives on future climate change

Index

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