Book contents
- The Changing Flow of Energy through the Climate System
- The Changing Flow of Energy through the Climate System
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Foreword
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- 1 Earth and Climate System
- 2 Earth’s Energy Imbalance and Climate Change
- 3 Earth’s Energy Balance
- 4 The Sun–Earth System
- 5 Observations of Temperature, Moisture, Precipitation, and Radiation
- 6 The Climate System
- Flows of Energy
- 7 The Weather Machine
- 8 The Dynamic Ocean
- 9 Poleward Heat Transports by the Atmosphere and Ocean
- 10 The Changing Hydrological Cycle
- 11 Teleconnections and Patterns of Variability
- 12 El Niño
- 13 Feedbacks and Climate Sensitivity
- 14 Earth’s Energy Imbalance Estimates
- 15 Attribution and the Hiatus
- 16 Prediction and Projection
- 17 Emissions and Information
- 18 Climate Change and Environmental Issues
- Glossary
- Acronyms
- Bibliography
- Index
- References
17 - Emissions and Information
from Flows of Energy
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 February 2022
- The Changing Flow of Energy through the Climate System
- The Changing Flow of Energy through the Climate System
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Foreword
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- 1 Earth and Climate System
- 2 Earth’s Energy Imbalance and Climate Change
- 3 Earth’s Energy Balance
- 4 The Sun–Earth System
- 5 Observations of Temperature, Moisture, Precipitation, and Radiation
- 6 The Climate System
- Flows of Energy
- 7 The Weather Machine
- 8 The Dynamic Ocean
- 9 Poleward Heat Transports by the Atmosphere and Ocean
- 10 The Changing Hydrological Cycle
- 11 Teleconnections and Patterns of Variability
- 12 El Niño
- 13 Feedbacks and Climate Sensitivity
- 14 Earth’s Energy Imbalance Estimates
- 15 Attribution and the Hiatus
- 16 Prediction and Projection
- 17 Emissions and Information
- 18 Climate Change and Environmental Issues
- Glossary
- Acronyms
- Bibliography
- Index
- References
Summary
This book has addressed the energy flows through the climate system. It has made the point that the total energy generation by humans is relatively small compared with natural flows, and the main way humans cause climate change is by interfering with the natural energy flows. Ironically, that interference comes mainly from our use of energy and the associated emissions of greenhouse gases and aerosols. In this case, “energy” encapsulates electricity, heat, transport, industrial, and agricultural activities. The latter include changes in land use. The primary source of the errant emissions is the burning of fossil fuels, generating carbon dioxide. A key issue then is how to decarbonize energy systems.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Changing Flow of Energy Through the Climate System , pp. 260 - 272Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2022