Modeling Dynamic Climate Systems

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

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2. Two Paradigms of Stability

   • Walter A. Robinson

   Pages 1-10

3. Models of the Global Climate

   • Walter A. Robinson

   Pages 11-51

4. Thermodynamics and Dynamics in the Vertical

   • Walter A. Robinson

   Pages 52-67

5. Dynamics of Horizontal Motion

   • Walter A. Robinson

   Pages 68-90

6. Dynamics of Circulation and Vorticity

   • Walter A. Robinson

   Pages 91-120

7. Dynamical Models of the Climate

   • Walter A. Robinson

   Pages 121-153

8. Climate Variations

   • Walter A. Robinson

   Pages 154-191

9. Back Matter

   Pages 193-210

   PDF

The world consists of many complex systems, ranging from our own bodies to ecosystems to economic systems. Despite their diversity, complex sys­ tems have many structural and functional features in common that can be effectively modeled using powerful, user-friendly software. As a result, vir­ tually anyone can explore the nature of complex systems and their dynam­ ical behavior under a range of assumptions and conditions. This ability to model dynamic systems is already having a powerful influence on teaching and studying complexity. The books in this series will promote this revolution in "systems think­ ing" by integrating skills of numeracy and techniques of dynamic modeling into a variety of disciplines. The unifying theme across the series will be the power and simplicity of the model-building process, and all books are de­ signed to engage readers in developing their own models for exploration of the dynamics of systems that are of interest to them. Modeling Dynamic Systems doesnot endorse any particular modeling paradigm or software. Rather, the volumes in the series will emphasize sim­ plicity of learning, expressive power, and the speed of execution as priori­ ties that will facilitate deeper system understanding.

• atmospheric science
• climate
• climate change
• computer
• modeling
• transport
• air pollution and air quality

From the reviews:

"This is a useful textbook on numerical simulation of fluid motions in a context of their application in various aspects of atmospheric dynamics relevant to global climate models. The author’s aim is not to focus on numerical techniques and mathematical details, instead the reader is approached by clear and readable descriptions of physical processes involved in a particular atmospheric phenomenon." (Vladimir Cadež, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 995 (20), 2002)

"This book is the seventh volume in the series ‘Modeling Dynamic Systems’. … If you are serious with climate modeling, you will love this book. In my view, it marks a real progress as compared to other recent textbooks on much the same topic … . The best aspect of the book is … the beautifully balanced view of the global climate. So, a fine slim book, well embedded into other system modeling treatments, and worth its price." (Michael Hantel, Metereologische Zeitschrift, Vol. 11 (1), 2002)

"Modelling Dynamic Climate Systems attempts to guide the reader into an appreciation of … complex feedback couplings by considering a spectrum of simple models of climate and climate processes. … Modelling Dynamic Climate Systems is an appropriate laboratory companion to a more formal treatment of climate dynamics. Robinson’s contribution to the series Modeling Dynamic Systems provides a basis for developing, through experimentation, a sound conceptual intuition of the (at times) intricate balance between multiple physical processes operating within the climate system." (David Noone, Australian Meteorological Magazine, Vol. 51 (1), 2002)

• Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, USA

  Walter A. Robinson

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