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Climate Change

Seinfeld, John H. (2008) Climate Change. Reviews in Chemical Engineering, 24 (1). pp. 1-65. ISSN 2191-0235. doi:10.1515/REVCE.2008.24.1.1. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20180802-141641450

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Abstract

Over the past century global average temperature has increased by about 0.8 °C. Any substantial change in the Earth’s temperature must be the result of a perturbation, or so-called radiative forcing, of the planet’s energy balance. The equilibrium global temperature response to a particular amount of radiative forcing is termed the Earth’s climate sensitivity. Once the Earth’s energy balance is perturbed, feedbacks arise that act either to enhance or suppress the perturbation. The positive feedback arising from changes in the water vapor level in the atmosphere resulting from a change in temperature is key. In this article, we evaluate the possible causes of the recent warming of the Earth. We review measured variations in the solar output, as well as the historical paleoclimate record, especially the glacial-interglacial cycles. Atmospheric greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, have increased substantially over the last century; the radiative forcing resulting from these increases can be accurately calculated. The forcing attributable to the increase in levels of airborne particles (aerosols) is considerably more uncertain. All these factors must be taken into account to arrive at an explanation of the recent warming.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://doi.org/10.1515/REVCE.2008.24.1.1DOIArticle
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Seinfeld, John H.0000-0003-1344-4068
Additional Information:© 2008 Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co.
Issue or Number:1
DOI:10.1515/REVCE.2008.24.1.1
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20180802-141641450
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20180802-141641450
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:88509
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:02 Aug 2018 21:32
Last Modified:16 Nov 2021 00:27

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