Open AccessInterpreting recent temperature trends in California
Author(s) -
Duffy Philip B.,
Bonfils Celine,
Lobell David
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/2007eo410001
Subject(s) - climatology , greenhouse gas , environmental science , forcing (mathematics) , climate change , climate model , radiative forcing , urbanization , climate commitment , climate system , el niño southern oscillation , global warming , geography , atmospheric sciences , effects of global warming , ecology , geology , biology
Regional‐scale climate change and associated societal impacts result from large‐scale “forcing” (perturbing) agents, such as well‐mixed greenhouse gases, and from land‐use changes and other, more local phenomena. In order to predict future climate and societal impacts, it is essential to understand these forcings and the climate responses to them. California serves as a good example of the complex effects of multiple climate forcings. The state's natural climate is diverse, highly variable, and strongly influenced by the El Nino‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. Humans are perturbing this complex climate system through urbanization, irrigation, and the emission of multiple types of aerosols and greenhouse gases. Despite better‐than‐average observational coverage, scientists are only beginning to understand the manifestations of these forcings in California's temperature record.