11 results
Search Results
2. Assessing Bias and Uncertainty in the HadAT-Adjusted Radiosonde Climate Record.
- Author
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McCarthy, Mark P., Titchner, H. A., Thorne, P. W., Tett, S. F. B., Haimberger, L., and Parker, D. E.
- Subjects
RADIOSONDE observations of the boundary layer ,RADIOSONDES ,CLIMATE change ,ATMOSPHERIC temperature ,TROPOSPHERIC circulation ,TROPOSPHERE ,GLOBAL temperature changes ,CLIMATOLOGY - Abstract
Uncertainties in observed records of atmospheric temperature aloft remain poorly quantified. This has resulted in considerable controversy regarding signals of climate change over recent decades from temperature records of radiosondes and satellites. This work revisits the problems associated with the removal of inhomogeneities from the historical radiosonde temperature records, and provides a method for quantifying uncertainty in an adjusted radiosonde climate record due to the subjective choices made during the data homogenization. This paper presents an automated homogenization method designed to replicate the decisions made by manual judgment in the generation of an earlier radiosonde dataset [i.e., the Hadley Centre radiosonde temperature dataset (HadAT)]. A number of validation experiments have been conducted to test the system performance and impact on linear trends. Using climate model data to simulate biased radiosonde data, the authors show that limitations in the homogenization method are sufficiently large to explain much of the tropical trend discrepancy between HadAT and estimates from satellite platforms and climate models. This situation arises from the combination of systematic (unknown magnitude) and random uncertainties (of order 0.05 K decade
-1 ) in the radiosonde data. Previous assessment of trends and uncertainty in HadAT is likely to have underestimated the systematic bias in tropical mean temperature trends. This objective assessment of radiosonde homogenization supports the conclusions of the synthesis report of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), and associated research, regarding potential bias in tropospheric temperature records from radiosondes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Temperature and Precipitation Extremes in the United States: Quantifying the Responses to Anthropogenic Aerosols and Greenhouse Gases,+.
- Author
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Mascioli, Nora R., Fiore, Arlene M., Previdi, Michael, and Correa, Gustavo
- Subjects
ATMOSPHERIC aerosol measurement ,GREENHOUSE gas analysis ,METEOROLOGICAL precipitation ,GLOBAL temperature changes ,CLIMATOLOGY - Abstract
Changes in extreme temperatures, heat waves, and heavy rainfall events have adverse effects on human health, air quality, and water resources. With aerosol-only (AER) and greenhouse gas-only (GHG) simulations from 1860 to 2005 in the GFDL CM3 chemistry-climate model, aerosol-induced versus greenhouse gas-induced changes in temperature (summer) and precipitation (all seasons) extremes over the United States are investigated. Small changes in these extremes in the all forcing simulations reflect cancellations between the effects of increasing anthropogenic aerosols and greenhouse gases. In AER, extreme high temperatures and the number of days with temperatures above the 90th percentile decline over most of the United States. The strongest response occurs in the western United States (−2.0°C and −14 days, regionally averaged) and the weakest response occurs in the southeastern United States (−0.6°C and −4.8 days). An opposite-signed response pattern occurs in GHG (+2.3°C and +11.5 days over the western United States and +1.6°C and +7.2 days over the southeastern United States). The similar spatial response patterns in AER versus GHG suggest a preferred regional mode of response that is largely independent of the type of forcing. Extreme precipitation over the eastern United States decreases in AER, particularly in winter, and increases over the eastern and central United States in GHG, particularly in spring. Over the twenty-first century under the representative concentration pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5) emissions scenario, the patterns of extreme temperature and precipitation associated with greenhouse gas forcing dominate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Variations of Twentieth-Century Temperature and Precipitation Extreme Indicators in the Northeast United States.
- Author
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Griffiths, Michael L. and Bradley, Raymond S.
- Subjects
GLOBAL temperature changes ,CLIMATE change ,METEOROLOGICAL precipitation ,TWENTIETH century ,ATMOSPHERIC temperature ,ATMOSPHERIC pressure ,METEOROLOGICAL research ,CLIMATOLOGY - Abstract
An examination of five temperature and five precipitation extreme indicators reveals an increase in both temperature and precipitation extremes over the 1926–2000 period in the northeast United States, with most of this increase occurring over the past four decades. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of winter frost days (FD) and warm nights (TN90) and also winter consecutive dry days (CDD) and very wet days (R95T) over the 1950–2000 period reveals that some of the variability associated with changes in these extremes may be explained by variations in the Arctic Oscillation (AO), El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and Pacific–North American (PNA) pattern. The most prominent feature of these results was the high correlation between the leading EOF of frost days and warm nights and the AO. Winter composites of temperature and precipitation extreme indicators were examined for different phases of the AO and ENSO during the 1926–2000 period. Overall, the AO is a better predictor of winter warm nights, while the ENSO is a better predictor of consecutive dry days in the northeast United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Documentation of Uncertainties and Biases Associated with Surface Temperature Measurement Sites for Climate Change Assessment.
- Author
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PIELKE SR., ROGER, NIELSEN-GAMMON, JOHN, DAVEY, CHRISTOPHER, ANGEL, JIM, BLISS, ODIE, DOESKEN, NOLAN, MING CAI, FALL, SOULEYMANE, NIYOGI, DEV, GALLO, KEVIN, HALE, ROBERT, HUBBARD, KENNETH G., XIAOMAO LIN, HONG LI, and RAMAN, SETHU
- Subjects
TEMPERATURE measurements ,CLIMATE change ,METEOROLOGICAL precipitation ,WEATHER ,CLIMATOLOGY ,GLOBAL temperature changes ,RAINFALL anomalies - Abstract
The article discusses the photographic documentation of poor observation sites within the U.S. Historical Climate Reference Network (USHCN) with respect to monitoring long-term surface air temperature trends. The objectives of the USHCN are outlined. The primary source of surface observations used to construct the long-term global surface temperature analyses has been National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stations, which include first-order stations and a subset of NOAA Cooperative Observer Program sites that compose the USHCN. The COOP Network has long served as the main climate observation network in the U.S., with once daily measurements of temperature, precipitation and sometimes snowfall made by depth volunteers using equipment supplied and maintained by NOAA.
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. In the Long Shadows of Inaction: The Quiet Building of a Climate Protection Movement in the United States.
- Author
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Moser, Susanne C.
- Subjects
CLIMATE change ,CLIMATOLOGY ,GLOBAL temperature changes ,GOVERNMENT policy on climate change ,SOCIAL movements ,GREENHOUSE gas mitigation ,EMISSION control ,SOCIAL psychology - Abstract
The article focuses on the signs of civic, private, local and state public sector activities for climate protection in the U.S. These activities aimed at restricting greenhouse gas emissions as well as assess whether they amount to a social movement for climate protection. It is suggested that momentum is building federal inaction on mandatory emission reductions. There is a renowned increase in opposition activity over several years. However, it is unclear whether the movement reached the take off point of the American society's closeness to the tipping point. This could be attributed to the fact that the movement has not yet found a bridging frame in bringing sub-movements together. The Movement Action Plan (MAP) model is a useful tool in locating where a movement is in its evolution.
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Past and future changes in climate and hydrological indicators in the US Northeast.
- Author
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Hayhoe, Katharine, Wake, Cameron P., Huntington, Thomas G., Luo, Lifeng, Schwartz, Mark D., Sheffield, Justin, Wood, Eric, Anderson, Bruce, Bradbury, James, DeGaetano, Art, Troy, Tara J., and Wolfe, David
- Subjects
CLIMATE change ,GLOBAL temperature changes ,CLIMATOLOGY ,PRECIPITATION variability - Abstract
To assess the influence of global climate change at the regional scale, we examine past and future changes in key climate, hydrological, and biophysical indicators across the US Northeast (NE). We first consider the extent to which simulations of twentieth century climate from nine atmosphere-ocean general circulation models (AOGCMs) are able to reproduce observed changes in these indicators. We then evaluate projected future trends in primary climate characteristics and indicators of change, including seasonal temperatures, rainfall and drought, snow cover, soil moisture, streamflow, and changes in biometeorological indicators that depend on threshold or accumulated temperatures such as growing season, frost days, and Spring Indices (SI). Changes in indicators for which temperature-related signals have already been observed (seasonal warming patterns, advances in high-spring streamflow, decreases in snow depth, extended growing seasons, earlier bloom dates) are generally reproduced by past model simulations and are projected to continue in the future. Other indicators for which trends have not yet been observed also show projected future changes consistent with a warmer climate (shrinking snow cover, more frequent droughts, and extended low-flow periods in summer). The magnitude of temperature-driven trends in the future are generally projected to be higher under the Special Report on Emission Scenarios (SRES) mid-high (A2) and higher (A1FI) emissions scenarios than under the lower (B1) scenario. These results provide confidence regarding the direction of many regional climate trends, and highlight the fundamental role of future emissions in determining the potential magnitude of changes we can expect over the coming century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. Against the Grain: The United States and the Global Climate Change Regime.
- Author
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Depledge, Joanna
- Subjects
CLIMATE change ,CLIMATOLOGY ,GLOBAL temperature changes ,INTERNATIONAL relations ,TREATIES - Abstract
Describes the participation of the United States in the global climate change regime. Analysis of the national circumstances in the country which affected its position in the issue; Exploration of the American disengagement with the global climate change regime; Concerns of how the American position will affect the overall international outcome of treaties about the matter.
- Published
- 2005
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. FORGING A MORE EFFECTIVE GLOBAL CLIMATE TREATY.
- Author
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Stavins, Robert N.
- Subjects
CLIMATE change ,CLIMATOLOGY ,GLOBAL temperature changes ,ACCLIMATIZATION ,RATIFICATION of treaties ,INTERNATIONAL obligations ,INTERNATIONAL law ,TREATIES ,CLIMATE extremes - Abstract
Discusses the key requirements for implementation of the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC). Reference to how the Russian ratification of the treaty approved it along with the participation of 126 other countries; Indications that the U.S. and Australia will not take actions to ratify the agreement; Reference to how the rules of the agreement were rewritten at the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) of the Framework Convention in order to lower the costs for Canada, Japan, and Russia; Goals of a post-Kyoto framework which will focus on fundamental aspects of the science and economics of global climate change policy; Suggestion for industrialized to take initial steps to make emissions reductions on their own.
- Published
- 2004
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. GREENHOUSE GAS TRADING IN EUROPE.
- Author
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Kruger, Joseph A. and Pizer, William A.
- Subjects
EMISSIONS trading ,ENVIRONMENTAL policy ,EMISSIONS trading laws ,ENVIRONMENTAL law ,AIR quality ,ENVIRONMENTAL impact charges ,POLLUTION control costs ,CLIMATE change ,AIR pollution ,GREENHOUSE gases ,CLIMATOLOGY ,GLOBAL temperature changes - Abstract
Discusses how Europe will launch an updated emissions trading program for greenhouse gases in 2005 which is much larger and more complex than the U.S. effort. Role of market-based policies in environmental regulation and in the formation of future European and international climate change policies; Consideration of the plans for the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to address global climate change implement a more consistent trading program among nations; Innovations regarding provisions that provide flexibility in monitoring and compliance; Difficulty associated with the preparation and review of National Allocation Plans; Use of auctions in the distribution of tradable emissions allowances in the U.S. INSETS: EUROPEAN UNION TERMINOLOGY;KEY FEATURES OF EU ETS;EFFECTIVE EMISSIONS TRADING PROGRAMS: A VIEW FROM THE ECONOMICS;SUMMARY OF U.S. TRADING PROGRAMS
- Published
- 2004
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON CALIFORNIA HYDROLOGY.
- Author
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Miller, Norman L., Bashford, Kathy E., and Strem, Eric
- Subjects
CLIMATE change ,CLIMATOLOGY ,GLOBAL temperature changes ,NATURAL resources - Abstract
Presents a study that determined the range of hydrologic effects of projected climate change scenarios and provided input for an assessment of California water resources. Location of the water basins used in the study; Streamflow response; Snow water equivalent.
- Published
- 2003
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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