Mathematics of Energy and Climate Change: From the Solar Radiation to the Impacts of Regional Projections

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the natural and anthropogenic drivers of climate change and on the assessment of potential impacts of regional projections for different scenarios of future climate. Internal and external forcing factors of climate change are associated to changes in the most important processes of energy transfer with influence on the energy balance of the climate system. The role of the solar activity, regular variations in the orbital parameters of the Earth and the radiative forcing which comprises the changes in the chemical composition of the atmosphere and the characteristics of the radiative processes that occur in the atmosphere and on the surface of the Earth will be discussed. Recent evidences of climate change and the general characteristics of the climate models used in climate projection will be presented. The chapter ends with results of some case studies of potential impacts of regional climate change projections in Portugal, namely in forest fire regime, extreme precipitation intensity and in the design of storm water drainage infrastructures.