Radiation and climate change FS 2013

The aim of this course is to develop a thorough understanding of the fundamental role of radiation in the context of climate change.

This course consists of 2 contact hours per week (see Semesterprogramm), Friday 08:15h-10h in RZ F21. It is taught by Martin Wild.

The course covers the following topics:

Basic radiation laws; sun-earth relations; the sun as driver of climate change (faint sun paradox, Milankovic ice age theory, solar cycles); radiative forcings in the atmosphere: aerosol, water vapour, clouds; radiation balance of the Earth (satellite and surface observations, modeling approaches); anthropogenic perturbation of the Earth radiation balance: greenhouse gases and enhanced greenhouse effect, air pollution and global dimming; radiation-induced feedbacks in the climate system (water vapour feedback, snow albedo feedback); climate model scenarios under various radiative forcings.

Module: Physical Basis of Radiation

download here pdf of lecture notes from  22.2. 2013

download here pdf of lecture notes from  1.3. 2013

download here pdf of lecture notes from  8.3. 2013

download here pdf of lecture notes from  15.3. 2013

download here pdf of lecture notes from  22.3. 2013

Further Reading:

script on physical basis of radiation (under development)

Module: Radiative forcing over Earth history

download here pdf of lecture slides of lecture from 26.4. 2013

Module: Present state of Earth Radiation Balance

download here pdf of lecture slides of lecture from 3.5. 2013

Further Reading:
Cloud radiative forcing: Ramanathan et al
CERES satellite mission: Wielicki et al and CERES Brochure
SRB from satellite: Pinker et al

Module: Variations of the Earth Radiation Balance and decadal climate change

download here pdf of lecture slides from 17.5. 2013

Further Reading:
Earth radiative Imbalance: Hansen et al
Decadal variations in TOA radiation budget Wielicki et al
Measuring the greenhouse effect at the surface: Philipona et al
Global dimming and brightening: Wild et al SCIENCE
Global dimming versus greenhouse warming: Wild et al GRL

Global Dimming and Brightening: A review: Wild JGR

Enlightening Global Dimming and Brightening: Wild BAMS

Global dimming and terrestrial carbon uptake: Mercado et al. Nature

Computer Lab Exercices

Note: The exercices will take place in room NO D39 (computer lab)

Download here task sheet for Exercice 1 (energy balance model) in computer lab (19.4.2013)

Download here a short introduction into the model used in the computer lab (19.4.2013)

Download here task sheet for Exercice 2 (10.5.2013)

Download here a short introduction to Exercice 2

Download here a the CDO reference card for Exercices 2 and 3

Download here task sheet for Exercice 3 (x.x)

Download here a short introduction to Exercice 3

Semester Exam to obtain credit points (3) (Benotete Semsterleistung / graded semester performance):

• 31.5. 2013    8 30 - 9 45, details announced in the course