Energy balance climate models

TLDR

Model parameterizations are critically examined amid many uncertainties, highlighting the link between natural fluctuation statistics and climate sensitivity. An introductory survey of global energy‑balance climate models is presented, emphasizing analytical results. Models ranging from simple seasonal to complex ice‑cap and radiative feedback systems are solved, with solutions, parameter sensitivities, and linear/nonlinear stability analyses examined, and orbital effects on temperature studied. Analytical solutions for linearized models driven by stochastic forcing elements are obtained.

Abstract

An introductory survey of the global energy balance climate models is presented with an emphasis on analytical results. A sequence of increasingly complicated models involving ice cap and radiative feedback processes are solved, and the solutions and parameter sensitivities are studied. The model parameterizations are examined critically in light of many current uncertainties. A simple seasonal model is used to study the effects of changes in orbital elements on the temperature field. A linear stability theorem and a complete nonlinear stability analysis for the models are developed. Analytical solutions are also obtained for the linearized models driven by stochastic forcing elements. In this context the relation between natural fluctuation statistics and climate sensitivity is stressed.