Natural Climate Variability on Decade-to-Century Time Scales

This volume reflects the state of scientific knowledge about natural climate variability on decade-to-century time scales, and covers a wide range of relevant subjects, including the characteristics of the atmosphere and ocean environments as well as the methods used to describe and analyze them, such as proxy data and numerical models.

The book clearly demonstrates the range, persistence, and magnitude of climate variability as represented by many different indicators.
Not only do natural climate variations have important socioeconomic effects, but they must be better understood before possible anthropogenic effects (from greenhouse gas emissions, for instance) can be evaluated.
A topical essay introduces each of the disciplines represented, providing the nonscientist with a perspective on the field and linking the papers to the larger issues in climate research. In its conclusions section, the book evaluates progress in the different areas and makes recommendations for the direction and conduct of future climate research.

Contents
Preface
Executive Summary
1 Introduction
2 The Atmosphere
3 The Ocean
4 Coupled Systems
5 Proxy Indicators of Climate
6 Conclusions
7 Recommendations for Climate-Variability Research Priorities
List of Participants
Index