Energy Balance Models Applied To Global Paleoclimatology: The Merging Of Two Disciplines

Abstract:

EBMs have been around since the 1960s when they were introduced by Budyko and Sellers. Models with interactive ice caps exhibited multiple solutions, including a snowball planet. Seasonal models with geography arrived in the 1980s. Many interesting experiments were conducted in the 1970s -1990s, especially emphasizing the importance of land-sea distribution and seasonality for the inception of ice sheets. Crowley and North published a book Paleoclimatology in the 1990’s whose aim was to introduce geologists to the power of climate models and to introduce (or spread the word) to climate modelers to the beauty of paleoclimatology. Paleoclimatology continues afford challenges and tests for today’s climate models.