Topic archive
Understanding the interconnected components and processes that shape Earth’s climate.
Marine heatwaves—prolonged periods of unusually warm ocean temperatures—are increasing in frequency, intensity, and duration due to human-caused climate change. These events disrupt marine ecosystems,…
Low-probability, high-impact climate risks are potential climate events or tipping points with a small chance of occurring but catastrophic consequences if they do. Understanding…
The Greenland Ice Sheet tipping point refers to a critical temperature threshold beyond which the ice sheet’s melting becomes self-sustaining and irreversible, committing the…
Methane from permafrost refers to the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as perennially frozen ground thaws due to rising temperatures. Microbes decompose…
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) does not have a single atmospheric lifetime. About half of emitted CO₂ is removed within 30 years, but a substantial fraction…
High humidity prevents sweat from evaporating, crippling the body’s main cooling mechanism. A landmark study found that a wet-bulb temperature of 35°C (95°F) marks…
Snow cover and ice-albedo feedback is a powerful climate process where bright snow and ice reflect solar radiation, cooling the Earth. As global temperatures…
West Antarctic Ice Sheet instability refers to the potential for rapid, irreversible ice loss from the marine-based West Antarctic Ice Sheet due to its…
Tipping-point timelines are difficult to predict because they involve complex, non-linear systems with multiple interacting feedback loops, incomplete data, and inherent uncertainties. Small changes…
Glacier mass balance is the net gain or loss of ice on a glacier over a specific period, typically a year. It is the…
