Let now denote the year 2000 and . When emissions stop, the model gives
The concentration peaks at the switch, then returns exponentially to ; in 2500 it is about . Before 2000 both scenarios share the exponential-emissions trajectory.
Using the specified logarithmic equilibrium warming relative to ,
gives the fast-adjustment peak estimate
An unspecified finite thermal response time below twenty years delays and reduces that peak relative to the instantaneous-equilibrium value; its exact amount cannot be fixed without a response law and a chosen thermal time. The carbon-removal time is much longer, so the warming subsequently declines gradually in this model. Taking the 1800 concentration as the temperature reference instead changes the quoted estimate by only .
Figure 1.
The two specified carbon-emission scenarios from 1800 to 2500
. Both curves share the prescribed emissions growth up to 2000. Zero later emissions give exponential return to 279 ppmv; holding emissions constant gives approach to 682.43 ppmv. The inset-free lower panel shows equilibrium warming rather than an invented thermal adjustment history. Details.

Articles by others on the same topic (0)

There are currently no matching articles.