Natural Climate Variability on Decade-to-Century Time Scales

URL:

http://books.nap.edu/catalog/5142.html

Abstract:

This volume reflects the current state of scientific knowledge about natural climate variability on decade-to-century time scales. It covers a wide range of relevant subjects, including the characteristics of the atmosphere and ocean environments as well as the methods used to describe and analyze them, such as proxy data and numerical models. They clearly demonstrate the range, persistence, and magnitude of climate variability as represented by many different indicators. Not only do natural climate variations have important socioeconomic effects, but they must be better understood before possible anthropogenic effects (from greenhouse gas emissions, for instance) can be evaluated. A topical essay introduces each of the disciplines represented, providing the nonscientist with a perspective on the field and linking the papers to the larger issues in climate research. In its conclusions section, the book evaluates progress in the different areas and makes recommendations for the direction and conduct of future climate research. This book, while consisting of technical papers, is also accessible to the interested layperson.

Grade Level:

6 - 16

Audience:

Educator, General Public

Learning Resource Type:

Reference, Book

Subjects:

Subjects

Education issues

Teacher content knowledge

Science

Earth and space science

Earth system structure

Atmosphere

Hydrosphere

Evolution

Geologic time

Climate

Personal and social issues

Humans and the environment

Environmental change

Science as inquiry

Science process skills

Interpreting data

Scientific habits of mind

Format:

text/plain

Contributors:

National Academies Press (Publisher)

Copyright Information:

Metadata is copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences, 2005. NSDL may modify, reformat and redistribute metadata to function within NSDL systems, services and partners. Resource terms of use: Copyright 2004 National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials on these pages are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. No part of these pages, either text or image may be used for any purpose other than personal use. Therefore, reproduction, modification, storage in a retrieval system or retransmission, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise, for reasons other than personal use, is strictly prohibited without prior written permission.