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FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOGRAPHY
Relationship of tropospheric stability to climate sensitivity and Earth's observed

radiation budget
BACKGROUND
This study investigates the relationship between tropospheric stability to climate sensitivity
(specifically how much global temperatures will rise in response to doubling atmospheric
CO2 emissions compared to pre-industrial levels) and the Earth's radiation budget (energy
entering, reflected, absorbed, and emitted by the Earth system) in relation to sea surface
temperature and climate feedbacks. Many studies have been conducted in the past of how
climate feedback mechanisms work, and no precise answers have been found. Scientists and
researchers have also not been able to narrow down the extent to which global warming will
increase in years to come.
PURPOSE OF STUDY
The study was conducted to prove the hypothesis that: 1. Global average feedback
(mechanisms that either increase the physical processes that affect climate) cause spacing of
local feedbacks to change e.g. rising of sea levels, Increased cloudiness (climate feedback)
reflects more incoming solar radiation, Higher rainfall (climate feedback) from more
moisture in the atmosphere (climate force) and 2. Sea surface temperature changes favor
decreases in tropospheric stability resulting in less free-tropospheric warming per unit
surface.
METHODS USED
In order to understand climatic feedback, you must analyze temperature, moisture, surface
albedo and clouds. All these are elements influenced by climatic feedback mechanisms. This
information is readily provided in feedback analysis reports which were used by the
researchers.
The researcher used model graphs to establish a relationship between sea surface
temperature, cloud coverage, insolation and tropospheric stability. The data was obtained
from a previous study (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5) for analysis of
monthly mean values of the elements previously listed to construct models.
RESULTS
Changes in the evolution of sea surface temperature and tropospheric stability
With observations made from sea surface temperature models during first 150 years after
quadruple CO 2 concentration, it has been discovered that sea surface temperature patterns
response per unit global warming increases in the East Pacific, in the Southern Ocean, and
North Atlantic. Meanwhile West Pacific, Northwest Pacific, tropical Atlantic, and much of
the Indian Ocean experienced less warming compared to the global average.
Global-mean difference between patterns of sea surface temperature is observed to be very
close to zero. Temperature depends on the moist adiabat to calculate the effective stability of
the lower troposphere. Tropospheric stability change depends on the relative change in
surface and free-tropospheric temperature. This serves as evidence that the evolution of the
SST warming pattern favors a decrease in tropospheric stability, proving hypothesis #2
correct.
Observed relationship between tropospheric stability and radiative budget
It is established that cloud coverage is a big factor in the radiative budget as they are most
responsible for reflection of insolation. Decreasing tropospheric stability causes changes in
clouds and tropospheric lapse rate resulting in radiative cooling (loss of heat by thermal
radiation). Even higher with increased CO2 concentration.
Changes in climate feedbacks
As time passes, the expected amount of warming due to greenhouse gas forcing, as measured
by climate sensitivity, increases. Internally induced climate variability can be influenced by
cloud feedbacks. The increase in cloud feedback is almost entirely due to a change in
shortwave reflection resulting in changing of clouds and temperature. Cloud amount/cover is
largely responsible for temperature on the Earth Surface. As time passes, the expected
amount of warming due to greenhouse gas forcing, as measured by climate sensitivity,
increases.
IMPLICATIONS
The troposphere is the lowest layer of the Earth’s atmosphere and is the most important layer
of the atmosphere. And with such, we must understand how it works and what happens in
response to human activity as it is essential to life on Earth. Global warming has been a very
great concern for the earth, the study explains the extent to which it affects us and sheds light
on what to expect in the future in relation to tropospheric stability.
FURTHER WORK
Further work is needed to fully understand the implications of abnormal sea surface
temperature patterns for tropospheric stability and the Earth’s radiative budget. The study is
still valid as it was conducted not so long ago, and information used is not out of date and is
still very relevant.

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FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOGRAPHY

Relationship of tropospheric stability to climate sensitivity and Earth's observed

Changes in climate feedbacks

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