Global Physical Climatology, Second Edition, provides an introduction to the science of climate and climate change. It begins with a basic introduction to the climate system, and then introduces the physics of the climate system, including the principles and processes that determine the structure and climate of the atmosphere, ocean, and land surface.
This basic knowledge is then applied to understanding natural variability of the climate in both the present and past, the sensitivity of climate to external forcing, explanations for the ice ages, and the science of human-induced climate change. The physical principles and computer models necessary for understanding past climate and predicting future climate are introduced.

1. Introduction to the Climate System
2. The Global Energy Balance
3. Atmospheric Radiative Transfer and Climate
4. The Energy Balance of the Surface
5. The Hydrologic Cycle
6. Atmospheric General Circulation and Climate
7. The Ocean General Circulation and Climate
8. Natural Intraseasonal and Interannual Variability
9. History and Evolution of Earth’s Climate
10. Climate Sensitivity and Feedback Mechanisms
11. Global Climate Models
12. Natural Climate Change
13. Anthropogenic Climate Change

Appendix A. Calculation of Insolation Under Current Conditions
Appendix B. Symbol Definitions
Appendix C. Systeme International (SI) Units
Appendix D. Useful Numerical Values
Appendix E. Aswers to Selected Exercises

Glossary
References
Subject Index

AUTHOR
Dennis L. Hartmann
(Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA)

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