Showing papers by "Stephen H. Schneider published in 1973"

Numerical experiments in climate stability.

Abstract: Two semiempirical climate models are formulated as time-dependent problems in order to study the stability of their asymptotic steady state equilibrium solutions to perturbations in internal (in this case, initial) conditions. For fixed external conditions the time-dependent versions of these models exhibit fully transitive behavior to positive perturbations in initial conditions, slight intransivity to negative perturbations up to -18 K, and an ice-covered earth regime is obtained for extremely large negative perturbations in initial temperatures (below -18 K). The parametrization found to be most critical in these models is the albedo-temperature coupling, especially in tropical regions. The temperature albedo parametrization from an intransitive climate model used in a time-dependent form of one of the preceding models is found to be highly sensitive to negative perturbations in both internal and external conditions. Numerical experimentation with these semiempirical models shows the important role of the tropics in maintaining the equilibrium climate and suggests that the radiation balance in equatorial latitudes might have a controlling influence on the equatorward extent of the polar ice cap.

The Chemical Basis for Climate Change

Abstract: It is obvious that the climate of the planet earth has undergone many rather drastic changes in the past, and there is every reason to believe that there will be other changes in the future. The question is not whether our climate will change, but rather: What causes it to change? If we knew the answer, perhaps we would be able to foresee the future climates in store for us.