Reports

Report 188

On the Correlation between Forcing and Climate Sensitivity

by Sokolov, A.P. (August 2010)
Joint Program Report Series, 8 pages, 2010

Abstract

The possible correlation between climate sensitivity and radiative forcing is studied using versions of the NCAR Community Atmospheric Model (CAM) model with different climate sensitivities. No such correlation was found for the CO2 forcing. A weak correlation for the direct sulfate aerosol forcing is associated with differences in cloud cover in control climate simulations with different versions of the model. Presented results suggest that correlation between sensitivity and radiative forcing in the 20th century simulations with different AOGCMs is not a reflection of physical reality but is a result of different treatments of forcing agents, primarily aerosols.

Link to full document (536 kB PDF)