I present an alternative approach to complex modelling of the Earth system that is based on thermodynamic constraints and that allows for simple, back-of-the-envelope calculations. I illustrate this approach with three examples, dealing with the surface energy balance partitioning on land at the diurnal scale, the hydrologic sensitivity to global warming, and the limits to wind power as renewable energy. Each example shows that the approach matches observations or complex climate models very well, highlighting that this approach provides a simple alternative to derive the expected behavior of the Earth system and its response to change from first principles.

This event is part of the eventgroup Meteorology Colloquium Karlsruhe

Homepage
https://-

Speaker
Prof. Axel Kleidon

Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry
Biospheric Theory and Modelling Group

Organizer
Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
Hermann von Helmholtz Platz 1
76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen
Tel: 0721-608-0
Mail: sekretariat ∂does-not-exist.imk-asf kit edu

Targetgroup
Interested / Everyone