Variability of surface climate in simulations of past and future
It is certain that the mean surface temperature of the Earth will continue to increase under realistic emission scenarios, yet comparatively little is known about future changes in climate variability. While climate change is often presented as a change in mean conditions, it is the temporal and spatial variability of climate that often determines many of the most important impacts, particularly at scales relevant to human societies. Yet despite its importance, climate variability is something that has so far seen relatively little scientific investigation, particularly in Earth’s past. In response, Rehfeld et al present here an analysis of climate variability in an ensemble of climate model simulations of the Last Glacial Maximum, mid-Holocene and two potential future climates.
Authors: Rehfeld K, Hébert R, Lora JM, Lofverstrom M and Brierley CM
Find out more about the Climate Variability Across Scales (CVAS) working group: https://pastglobalchanges.org/science/wg/cvas/intro