Equilibrium Climate Sensitivity (ECS) refers to the climate system's response to a doubling of CO2 levels, emphasizing the importance of the term 'equilibrium' in understanding energy imbalances. The concept highlights how small deviations from equilibrium can lead to significant consequences, as seen in various applied sciences such as process engineering and healthcare. The IPCC defines ECS as the energy imbalance between incoming and outgoing energy at the top of the atmosphere, which can result in temperature increases across different components of the climate system, including the atmosphere and oceans. Understanding ECS is crucial for comprehending the long-term impacts of climate change.
PREREQUISITESClimate scientists, environmental researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the long-term effects of climate change and the dynamics of climate systems.
The emphasis is the equilibrium or balanced state and the sensitivity of the system to a departure from equilibrium. Much of applied science, e.g., process engineering such as power generation, operation of aircraft or spacecraft , chemical manufacturing, is concerned about control and how the system responds to deviations or perturbations from steady-state. In health care, doctors would be concerned if one's temperature deviated more than a few degrees F, e.g., having a temperature of 104°F as compared to 97.4 to 99°F, means one has a fever. If the temperature drops much lower (body temperature falls below 95 F (35 C)), one is experiencing hypothermia.Gondur said:Equilibrium Climate Sensitivity - what is the relevance of the word 'equilibrium' - why not 'climate sensitivity?'
Hope you can help.
At the very center of the theory of AGW, is the idea that doubling the CO2 level would create an energy imbalanceGondur said:Equilibrium Climate Sensitivity - what is the relevance of the word 'equilibrium' - why not 'climate sensitivity?'
Hope you can help.