Overview of Climate Change Science

Abstract

A topical introduction to climate change, with emphasis on January 2013 through February 2014, is outlined in this chapter with a brief introduction to each topic. The reports of the IPCC AR4 and AR5 are briefly described and the IPCC and its history are discussed. The difference between weather and climate is explained with examples of each. Components of the climate system are illustrated. RCPs and ECPs are introduced, explained, and given in tabular form. The uncertainties as used by IPCC AR5 2013 are included. Earth's energy imbalance is discussed, illustrated, and explained as is its relationship to and cause of global warming. The range of possible climate sensitivities is given along with a discussion. The range of global temperatures is illustrated and discussed. Climate forcing and feedbacks are described and the differences between them are given with examples of each. Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is illustrated. The Keeling curve is shown and explained and carbon dioxide is discussed. An introduction to climate modeling is given and illustrated. Earth's melting ice is shown with examples and illustrations from permafrost, Antarctica, and Greenland.