Physical Controls of the Earth's Climate and Climate Change

Explore the physical controls of Earth's climate and climate change in this 36-minute APS March Meeting 2013 lecture. Delve into the climate modeling enterprise, systems viewpoint, and energy balance, including cloud radiative effects and ocean heat content. Examine reflected sunlight from Earth, energy balance under simulated climate change, and climate sensitivity and feedbacks. Investigate cloud and water vapor feedbacks, global precipitation controls, and aerosol indirect effects on clouds and precipitation. Gain insights into the importance of detailed climate processes and their impact on our understanding of Earth's complex climate system.

Intro
Outline
The climate modeling enterprise
A Systems Viewpoint
The energy balance
Cloud radiative effects (CRE)
The energy imbalance and ocean heat content
#2 Reflected sunlight from Earth
Energy balance under simulated climate change - CMIP5 1%
Energy Flux Sensitivities CMIPS
Climate sensitivity and feedbacks
Climate Feedbacks
#4 Cloud Feedbacks
#4 Water vapor feedback
Water vapor feedback and the controls on global precipation
Process level:The character of precipitation
Aerosol indirect effects on clouds and precipitation
Does this detail really matter
Summary: Water