The Origin of Long Term Natural Climate Variability

November 1, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Mānoa Campus, Hamilton Library Room 301

FACULTY LECTURE SERIES FALL 2013

--Axel Timmermann, SOEST

Humans have modified the climate system for about 100 years by emitting greenhouse gases and aerosols, leaving a discernible imprint on global mean temperatures. In addition to the anthropogenic forcings, the climate system of the past has experienced massive reorganizations, partly internally generated, partly triggered by changes in earth’s tilt, wobble and orbit. The basic processes will be reviewed that caused ice ages, abrupt climate switches, known as Dansgaard-Oeschger events, and the rapid termination of glacial periods when sea level rose by more than 100 meters. The lecture will further discuss the role of coral reefs in stabilizing the climate system over the past 10,000 years, the effect of volcanic eruptions and the occurrence of megadroughts that triggered collapses of ancient civilizations. Is the climate of the past providing clues for it’s future evolution? This question will be addressed in the context of a recently observed slowdown of greenhouse warming.

Dr. Axel Timmermannn, Oceanography Professor at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, has published more than 100 papers on climate variability and climate change. He is a lead author of the 5th assessment report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) and served as Chair of the International CLIVAR Pacific Implementation Panel and coordinated climate research activities across the Pacific region.


Ticket Information
Free & open to public

Event Sponsor
Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education Office of Research Relations, & UHM Library, Mānoa Campus

More Information
Teri Skillman, 808-956-8688, skillman@hawaii.edu

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