HR: 10:40h
AN: SH11E-02 INVITED [PDF]
TI: Role of Sun in the Forcing of Climate
AU: * Ramaswamy, V
EM: vr@gfdl.noaa.gov
AF: NOAA/ Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, P. O. Box 308, Princeton, NJ 08542 United States
AB:
Solar irradiance variations and change constitute an important forcing for the Earth's climate system. Sufficiently precise
satellite-based measurements in the recent decades have provided information on the total solar irradiance and its
variability over the 11-year activity cycle. Variations over longer periods, extending back to the pre-industrial era, are
more difficult to quantify.
According to the IPCC (2001)assessment, the solar forcing of climate over the period 1750 to present is about one-eighth of
that due to the increase in the well-mixed greenhouse gases.
Coupled three-dimensional atmosphere-ocean model simulations have been employed to determine the climatic effects of solar
irradiance changes, and compare it with the effects due to the well-mixed greenhouse gases and other forcings. Important
issues in this regard are: dynamical response of the climate system to different radiative perturbations; climate sensitivity
due to solar forcing versus other natural, and anthropogenic forcing agents; response in the vertical profile of climate
change; changes induced in stratospheric circulation, stratosphere-troposphere interactions and effects at the polar
latitudes.
DE: 1610 Atmosphere (0315, 0325)
DE: 1650 Solar variability
DE: 7538 Solar irradiance
SC: SPA - Solar and Heliospheric Physics [SH]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting