Radiation and climate change FS 2012

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  24.2 2012

download here pdf of lecture notes from  2.3. 2012 

download here pdf of lecture notes from  9.3./ 16.3 2012

download here pdf of lecture notes from  16.3./ 30.3 2012

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 30.3 2012

download here  pdf of lecture slides of lecture from 4.5 2012

Module: Present state of Earth Radiation Balance

download here pdf of lecture slides of lecture from 11.5 2012

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 18.5.2012

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 energy balance model exercice in computer lab (23.3.2012)

Download here a short introduction into the model used in the computer lab (23.3.2012)

Download here task sheet for Exercice 2 (20.4.2012)

Download here a short introduction to Exercice 2 (20.4.2012)

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

Download here task sheet for Exercice 3 (1.6.2012)

Download here a short introduction to Exercice 3 (1.6.2012)

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

• 25.5. 2012 8 30 - 9 45, details announced in the course