Abrupt climate change - Revision history

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	[[Category:Done ~~2016~~-04-30]]		[[Category:Done 2026-08-01]]
	<onlyinclude>'''Abrupt climate change''' is a specific type of [[climate change]] that can occur naturally or possibly as a result of human activities. In abrupt climate change, the [[climate]] system changes to a new climate state rapidly, generally over a time scale which is much faster than the typical time scale of the [[climate forcing]] responsible for ~~the~~ change.</onlyinclude> Essentially, abrupt climate change is any sudden change in the climate system which results in a new climate state much more suddenly than is expected for ~~whatever~~ mechanism is responsible for ~~the~~ change.<ref name= nap>Committee on Abrupt Climate Change, National Research Council. (December 23, 2015). ''Abrupt Climate Change: Inevitable Surprises'' [Online]. Available: http://www.nap.edu/read/10136/chapter/3</ref> Abrupt climate change is often surprising ([[nonlinearity\|non-linear]]), hard on living systems (which could include people), and almost impossible to reverse.<ref name = nap/> Many experts fear that [[anthropogenic]] [[climate change]] could become abrupt climate change, dramatically impacting people all over the world in ~~bad ways~~.		<onlyinclude>'''Abrupt climate change''' is a specific type of [[climate change]] that can occur naturally or possibly as a result of human activities. In ''abrupt'' climate change, the [[climate]] system changes to a new climate state ''rapidly'', generally over a time scale which is much faster than the typical time scale of the [[climate forcing]] responsible for change.</onlyinclude> Essentially, abrupt climate change is any sudden change in the climate system which results in a new climate state much more suddenly than is expected for the mechanism responsible for that change.<ref name="nap">Committee on Abrupt Climate Change, National Research Council. (December 23, 2015). ''Abrupt Climate Change: Inevitable Surprises'' [Online]. Available: http://www.nap.edu/read/10136/chapter/3</ref> Abrupt climate change is often surprising ([[nonlinearity\|non-linear]]), hard on living systems (which could include people), and almost impossible to reverse.<ref name="nap" /> Many experts fear that [[anthropogenic]] [[climate change]] could become abrupt climate change, dramatically impacting people all over the world in a negative way.[[File:Greenland ice sheets.gif\|thumb\|Figure 1. Greenland ice sheets.<ref>Nilov, M. (2021). (Accessed July 10, 2026). ''Aerial View of Ice Sheets at Greenland'' [Online]. Available: https://www.pexels.com/video/aerial-view-of-ice-sheets-at-greenland-8318701/</ref>\|left]]

	Although [[external forcing]]s can result in abrupt climate change, not all abrupt climate changes are externally forced. Some of these changes may be unexpected, and occur as the result of some strong, rapidly changing forcing that pushes the climate system in a [[nonlinearity\|nonlinear]] fashion.<ref>IPCC, 2012: Glossary of terms. In: Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation		Although [[external forcing]]s can result in abrupt climate change, not all abrupt climate changes are externally forced. Some of these changes may be unexpected, and occur as the result of some strong, rapidly changing forcing that pushes the climate system in a [[nonlinearity\|nonlinear]] fashion.<ref>IPCC, 2012: Glossary of terms. In: Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation
	[Field, C.B., V. Barros, T.F. Stocker, D. Qin, D.J. Dokken, K.L. Ebi, M.D. Mastrandrea, K.J. Mach, G.-K. Plattner, S.K. Allen,		[Field, C.B., V. Barros, T.F. Stocker, D. Qin, D.J. Dokken, K.L. Ebi, M.D. Mastrandrea, K.J. Mach, G.-K. Plattner, S.K. Allen,
	M. Tignor, and P.M. Midgley (eds.)]. A Special Report of Working Groups I and II of the Intergovernmental Panel on		M. Tignor, and P.M. Midgley (eds.)]. A Special Report of Working Groups I and II of the Intergovernmental Panel on
	Climate Change (IPCC). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, and New York, NY, USA, pp. 555-564. </ref> Abrupt climate changes can impact a region, hemisphere, or even the entire globe.<ref name="RE1">NOAA. (December 23, 2015). ''Defining Abrupt Climate Change'' [Online]. Available: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo/abrupt/story1.html</ref> One major concern with ~~the~~ climate change that is currently occurring as a result of human activities is that ~~the~~ changes that are occurring at a steady rate ~~now~~ could rapidly and suddenly change the climate system of the Earth. ~~This case~~ is concerning as there is not a good way to predict this sudden climate change~~, as~~ well as the fact that adapting to ~~some~~ sudden change in the overall climate of a region would be extremely difficult.		Climate Change (IPCC). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, and New York, NY, USA, pp. 555-564. </ref> Abrupt climate changes can impact a region, hemisphere, or even the entire globe.<ref name="RE1">NOAA. (December 23, 2015). ''Defining Abrupt Climate Change'' [Online]. Available: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo/abrupt/story1.html</ref> One major concern with climate change, that is currently occurring as a result of human activities, is that changes that are now occurring at a steady rate could rapidly and suddenly change the climate system of the Earth.

			An example of abrupt climate change: interrupting the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), an important component of global ocean circulation.<ref name=":0">IPCC (2019). (Accessed July 10, 2026). ''FAQ 6.1 \| How can risks of abrupt changes in the ocean and cryosphere related to climate change be addressed?'' [Online]. Available: https://www.ipcc.ch/srocc/about/faq/final-faq-chapter-6/</ref> AMOC slowing down could reduce rainfall in the Sahel region (hampering crop production), weaken summer [[monsoon]] in Asia, increase regional sea level rise in the Atlantic, and increase the number of winter storms in Europe.<ref name=":0" /> A [[tipping point]] could be reached; such as the collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS)<ref name=":0" /> or the melting of Greenland ice gradually adding freshwater to the North Atlantic Ocean<ref>Kasal, K (2026). (Accessed July 10, 2026). ''Greenland meltwater adds to AMOC weakening, but updated model finds no tipping point in sight'' [Online]. Available: https://phys.org/news/2026-07-greenland-meltwater-amoc-weakening-sight.html</ref> (See Figure 1). If a critical tipping point is reached, ocean circulation could change rapidly and lead to sudden, difficult to predict changes in climate globally.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Abrupt climate change is concerning because there is not a good way to predict this sudden climate change. As well as the fact that adapting to sudden change in the overall climate of a region would be extremely difficult.

	==Types of Changes==		==Types of Changes==
	There are several different ways that a drastic, abrupt change in the climate could occur. From observations of paleoclimatic records, there are four major types of changes that if they were to occur, ~~they~~ would pose significant risks in terms of how well society would be able to adapt ~~to said changes~~. Essentially, if human activities are pushing the climate towards some sort of abrupt change, it is the following changes that would pose the biggest threat to humanity:<ref>US Climate Change Science Program. (December 23, 2015). ''Abrupt Climate Change'' [Online]. Available: http://data.globalchange.gov/assets/71/4c/6665e91ddf094b0bb21bec42f03e/sap3-4-final-report-all.pdf</ref>		There are several different ways that a drastic, abrupt change in the climate could occur. From observations of paleoclimatic records, there are four major types of changes that, if they were to occur, would pose significant risks in terms of how well society would be able to adapt. Essentially, if human activities are pushing the climate towards some sort of abrupt change, it is the following changes that would pose the biggest threat to humanity:<ref>US Climate Change Science Program. (December 23, 2015). ''Abrupt Climate Change'' [Online]. Available: http://data.globalchange.gov/assets/71/4c/6665e91ddf094b0bb21bec42f03e/sap3-4-final-report-all.pdf</ref>
	# Rapid changes in the amount of ice in [[glacier]]s and ice sheets. The melting of ~~these~~ ice packs would result in ~~a in~~ increase in sea level, potentially flooding or submerging coastal towns and cities. Additionally, the loss of these [[ice cap]]s and glaciers would change the [[albedo]] of the surface of the Earth, changing the amount of incoming [[solar radiation]] that is reflected and absorbed. This would further impact changes in the average [[global surface temperature\|global temperature]].		# '''Rapid changes in the amount of ice in [[glacier]]s and ice sheets.''' The melting of ice packs (such as the ice sheets in Greenland, Figure 1) would result in an increase in sea level, potentially flooding or submerging coastal towns and cities. Additionally, the loss of these [[ice cap]]s and glaciers would change the [[albedo]] of the surface of the Earth, changing the amount of incoming [[solar radiation]] that is reflected and absorbed. This would further impact changes in the average [[global surface temperature anomaly\|global temperature]].[[File:11927906233 2281be986f o.jpg\|thumb\|Figure 2. When ice-rich permafrost thaws, former tundra and forest turns into a ''thermokarst lake'' as the ground subsides. The carbon stored in the formerly frozen ground is consumed by the microbial community, who release methane gas. When lake ice forms in the winter, methane gas bubbles are trapped in the ice. Location: Alaska. Credit: Miriam Jones, USGS.<ref>Jones, M. & U.S. Geological Survey (2014). (Accessed July 10, 2026). ''Frozen Methane Bubbles'' [Online]. Available: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usgeologicalsurvey/11927906233/in/photostream/</ref>\|293x293px]]
	# Widespread, long term changes to how water cycles across the Earth in the [[hydrologic cycle]]. Because [[water]] is incredibly important to life on Earth, significant changes in where fresh water is located and how it moves would significantly impact life.		# '''Widespread, long term changes to how water cycles across the Earth in the [[hydrologic cycle]].''' Because [[water]] is incredibly important to life on Earth, significant changes in where fresh water is located and how it moves would significantly impact life.
	# Abrupt change in the flow of warm salty water in the Atlantic Ocean.		# '''Abrupt change in the flow of warm salty water in the Atlantic Ocean.''' Recall the AMOC example above.
	# Rapid release of [[methane]] - a [[greenhouse gas]] - trapped in permafrost into the [[atmosphere]], which would rapidly accelerate the global warming process.		# '''Rapid release of [[methane]] (a [[greenhouse gas]]) trapped in [[permafrost]] into the [[atmosphere]]''', which would rapidly accelerate the global warming process. Figure 2 on the right shows frozen methane bubbles that got trapped in a lake after being released from thawing permafrost.

	Other possible changes include:<ref>IPCC. (December 23, 2015). ''Climate Change 2014 Synthesis Report'' [Online]. Available: https://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/syr/SYR_AR5_FINAL_full.pdf#89</ref>		Other possible changes include:<ref>IPCC. (December 23, 2015). ''Climate Change 2014 Synthesis Report'' [Online]. Available: https://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/syr/SYR_AR5_FINAL_full.pdf#89</ref>
	# [[Ocean acidification]]		# [[Ocean acidification]]
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	==Current Climate Change==		==Current Climate Change==
	One common notion that exists surrounding climate change is that climate is always changing, so any change happening currently is no different than natural climate shifts over time. However, the changes occurring in the climate presently are more accelerated than previous climate change events. ~~This~~ comparatively rapid increase in global surface temperature and changes in weather patterns ~~can be seen as~~ abrupt in comparison to historical events. For more information on how the climate is changing rapidly as a result of human effects, please see ~~the~~ IPCC's summary [~~http~~://www.~~climatechange2013~~.~~org~~/~~images~~/~~report~~/~~WG1AR5_FAQbrochure_FINAL.pdf#14~~ here] ~~or watch the video from 'This is not cool with Peter Sinclair' by Yale Climate Connections:~~		One common notion that exists surrounding climate change is that climate is always changing, so any change happening currently is no different than natural climate shifts over time. However, the changes occurring in the climate presently are more accelerated than previous climate change events. The change itself isn't the problem, it's the comparatively ''rapid'' increase in global surface temperature and changes in weather patterns that is abrupt in comparison to historical events. For more information on how the climate is changing rapidly as a result of human effects, please see IPCC's 2023 Climate Change Report summary [https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/ here].

			== For Further Reading ==

	~~<html>~~		* [[Climate change]]
	~~<iframe width="816" height="459" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EmIkppjplqU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>~~		* [[Climate forcing]]
	~~</iframe>~~		* [[External forcing]]
	~~</html>~~		* Or explore a [[Special:Random\|random page]]

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
	[[Category:Uploaded]]		[[Category:Uploaded]]

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported: From the summer

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Jmdonev at 01:15, 25 July 2016

2016-07-25T01:15:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:15, 25 July 2016
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	[[Category:Done 2016-01-~~15]]~~		[[Category:Done 2016-04-30]]
	~~[[category: Holding for climate change writer~~]]
	<onlyinclude>'''Abrupt climate change''' is a specific type of [[climate change]] that can occur naturally or possibly as a result of human activities. In abrupt climate change, the [[climate]] system changes to a new climate state rapidly, generally over a time scale which is much faster than the typical time scale of the [[climate forcing]] responsible for the change.</onlyinclude> Essentially, abrupt climate change is any sudden change in the climate system which results in a new climate state much more suddenly than is expected for whatever mechanism is responsible for the change.<ref name= nap>Committee on Abrupt Climate Change, National Research Council. (December 23, 2015). ''Abrupt Climate Change: Inevitable Surprises'' [Online]. Available: http://www.nap.edu/read/10136/chapter/3</ref> Abrupt climate change is often surprising ([[nonlinearity\|non-linear]]), hard on living systems (which could include people), and almost impossible to reverse.<ref name = nap/> Many experts fear that [[anthropogenic]] [[climate change]] could become abrupt climate change, dramatically impacting people all over the world in bad ways.		<onlyinclude>'''Abrupt climate change''' is a specific type of [[climate change]] that can occur naturally or possibly as a result of human activities. In abrupt climate change, the [[climate]] system changes to a new climate state rapidly, generally over a time scale which is much faster than the typical time scale of the [[climate forcing]] responsible for the change.</onlyinclude> Essentially, abrupt climate change is any sudden change in the climate system which results in a new climate state much more suddenly than is expected for whatever mechanism is responsible for the change.<ref name= nap>Committee on Abrupt Climate Change, National Research Council. (December 23, 2015). ''Abrupt Climate Change: Inevitable Surprises'' [Online]. Available: http://www.nap.edu/read/10136/chapter/3</ref> Abrupt climate change is often surprising ([[nonlinearity\|non-linear]]), hard on living systems (which could include people), and almost impossible to reverse.<ref name = nap/> Many experts fear that [[anthropogenic]] [[climate change]] could become abrupt climate change, dramatically impacting people all over the world in bad ways.

	Although [[external forcing]]s can result in abrupt climate change, not all abrupt climate changes are externally forced. Some of these changes may be unexpected, and occur as the result of some strong, rapidly changing forcing that pushes the climate system in a [[nonlinearity\|nonlinear]] fashion. <ref>IPCC, 2012: Glossary of terms. In: Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation		Although [[external forcing]]s can result in abrupt climate change, not all abrupt climate changes are externally forced. Some of these changes may be unexpected, and occur as the result of some strong, rapidly changing forcing that pushes the climate system in a [[nonlinearity\|nonlinear]] fashion.<ref>IPCC, 2012: Glossary of terms. In: Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation
	[Field, C.B., V. Barros, T.F. Stocker, D. Qin, D.J. Dokken, K.L. Ebi, M.D. Mastrandrea, K.J. Mach, G.-K. Plattner, S.K. Allen,		[Field, C.B., V. Barros, T.F. Stocker, D. Qin, D.J. Dokken, K.L. Ebi, M.D. Mastrandrea, K.J. Mach, G.-K. Plattner, S.K. Allen,
	M. Tignor, and P.M. Midgley (eds.)]. A Special Report of Working Groups I and II of the Intergovernmental Panel on		M. Tignor, and P.M. Midgley (eds.)]. A Special Report of Working Groups I and II of the Intergovernmental Panel on
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	==Current Climate Change==		==Current Climate Change==
	One common notion that exists surrounding climate change is that climate is always changing, so any change happening currently is no different than natural climate shifts over time. However, the changes occurring in the climate presently are more accelerated than previous climate change events. This comparatively rapid increase in global surface temperature and changes in weather patterns can be seen as abrupt in comparison to historical events. For more information on how the climate is changing rapidly as a result of human effects, please see the IPCC's summary [http://www.climatechange2013.org/images/report/WG1AR5_FAQbrochure_FINAL.pdf#14 here].		One common notion that exists surrounding climate change is that climate is always changing, so any change happening currently is no different than natural climate shifts over time. However, the changes occurring in the climate presently are more accelerated than previous climate change events. This comparatively rapid increase in global surface temperature and changes in weather patterns can be seen as abrupt in comparison to historical events. For more information on how the climate is changing rapidly as a result of human effects, please see the IPCC's summary [http://www.climatechange2013.org/images/report/WG1AR5_FAQbrochure_FINAL.pdf#14 here] or watch the video from 'This is not cool with Peter Sinclair' by Yale Climate Connections:

			<html>
			<iframe width="816" height="459" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EmIkppjplqU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
			</iframe>
			</html>

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
			[[Category:Uploaded]]

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2016-02-18T04:31:23Z

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Jmdonev at 00:06, 17 February 2016

2016-02-17T00:06:22Z

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[[Category:Done 2016-01-15]]
[[category: Holding for climate change writer]]
<onlyinclude>'''Abrupt climate change''' is a specific type of [[climate change]] that can occur naturally or possibly as a result of human activities. In abrupt climate change, the [[climate]] system changes to a new climate state rapidly, generally over a time scale which is much faster than the typical time scale of the [[climate forcing]] responsible for the change.</onlyinclude> Essentially, abrupt climate change is any sudden change in the climate system which results in a new climate state much more suddenly than is expected for whatever mechanism is responsible for the change.<ref name= nap>Committee on Abrupt Climate Change, National Research Council. (December 23, 2015). ''Abrupt Climate Change: Inevitable Surprises'' [Online]. Available: http://www.nap.edu/read/10136/chapter/3</ref> Abrupt climate change is often surprising ([[nonlinearity|non-linear]]), hard on living systems (which could include people), and almost impossible to reverse.<ref name = nap/> Many experts fear that [[anthropogenic]] [[climate change]] could become abrupt climate change, dramatically impacting people all over the world in bad ways.

Although [[external forcing]]s can result in abrupt climate change, not all abrupt climate changes are externally forced. Some of these changes may be unexpected, and occur as the result of some strong, rapidly changing forcing that pushes the climate system in a [[nonlinearity|nonlinear]] fashion. <ref>IPCC, 2012: Glossary of terms. In: Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation
[Field, C.B., V. Barros, T.F. Stocker, D. Qin, D.J. Dokken, K.L. Ebi, M.D. Mastrandrea, K.J. Mach, G.-K. Plattner, S.K. Allen,
M. Tignor, and P.M. Midgley (eds.)]. A Special Report of Working Groups I and II of the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, and New York, NY, USA, pp. 555-564. </ref> Abrupt climate changes can impact a region, hemisphere, or even the entire globe.<ref name="RE1">NOAA. (December 23, 2015). ''Defining Abrupt Climate Change'' [Online]. Available: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo/abrupt/story1.html</ref> One major concern with the climate change that is currently occurring as a result of human activities is that the changes that are occurring at a steady rate now could rapidly and suddenly change the climate system of the Earth. This case is concerning as there is not a good way to predict this sudden climate change, as well as the fact that adapting to some sudden change in the overall climate of a region would be extremely difficult.

==Types of Changes==
There are several different ways that a drastic, abrupt change in the climate could occur. From observations of paleoclimatic records, there are four major types of changes that if they were to occur, they would pose significant risks in terms of how well society would be able to adapt to said changes. Essentially, if human activities are pushing the climate towards some sort of abrupt change, it is the following changes that would pose the biggest threat to humanity:<ref>US Climate Change Science Program. (December 23, 2015). ''Abrupt Climate Change'' [Online]. Available: http://data.globalchange.gov/assets/71/4c/6665e91ddf094b0bb21bec42f03e/sap3-4-final-report-all.pdf</ref>
# Rapid changes in the amount of ice in [[glacier]]s and ice sheets. The melting of these ice packs would result in a in increase in sea level, potentially flooding or submerging coastal towns and cities. Additionally, the loss of these [[ice cap]]s and glaciers would change the [[albedo]] of the surface of the Earth, changing the amount of incoming [[solar radiation]] that is reflected and absorbed. This would further impact changes in the average [[global surface temperature|global temperature]].
# Widespread, long term changes to how water cycles across the Earth in the [[hydrologic cycle]]. Because [[water]] is incredibly important to life on Earth, significant changes in where fresh water is located and how it moves would significantly impact life.
# Abrupt change in the flow of warm salty water in the Atlantic Ocean.
# Rapid release of [[methane]] - a [[greenhouse gas]] - trapped in permafrost into the [[atmosphere]], which would rapidly accelerate the global warming process.
Other possible changes include:<ref>IPCC. (December 23, 2015). ''Climate Change 2014 Synthesis Report'' [Online]. Available: https://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/syr/SYR_AR5_FINAL_full.pdf#89</ref>
# [[Ocean acidification]]
# Changes in the composition of [[biome]]s
# Changes in the levels of soil [[carbon]]

==Current Climate Change==
One common notion that exists surrounding climate change is that climate is always changing, so any change happening currently is no different than natural climate shifts over time. However, the changes occurring in the climate presently are more accelerated than previous climate change events. This comparatively rapid increase in global surface temperature and changes in weather patterns can be seen as abrupt in comparison to historical events. For more information on how the climate is changing rapidly as a result of human effects, please see the IPCC's summary [http://www.climatechange2013.org/images/report/WG1AR5_FAQbrochure_FINAL.pdf#14 here].

==References==
{{reflist}}