Figure 15: Global mean surface temperature anomalies relative to the 1880 to 1920 mean from the instrumental record compared with ensembles of four simulations with a coupled ocean-atmosphere climate model forced (a) with solar and volcanic forcing only, (b) with anthropogenic forcing including well mixed greenhouse gases, changes in stratospheric and tropospheric ozone and the direct and indirect effects of sulphate aerosols, and (c) with all forcings, both natural and anthropogenic. The thick line shows the instrumental data while the thin lines show the individual model simulations in the ensemble of four members. Note that the data are annual mean values. The model data are only sampled at the locations where there are observations. The changes in sulphate aerosol are calculated interactively, and changes in tropospheric ozone were calculated offline using a chemical transport model. Changes in cloud brightness (the first indirect effect of sulphate aerosols) were calculated by an off line simulation and included in the model. The changes in stratospheric ozone were based on observations. The volcanic and solar forcing were based on published combinations of measured and proxy data. The net anthropogenic forcing at 1990 was 1.0 Wm-2 including a net cooling of 1.0 Wm-2 due to sulphate aerosols. The net natural forcing for 1990 relative to 1860 was 0.5 Wm-2, and for 1992 was a net cooling of 2.0 Wm-2 due to Mount Pinatubo. Other models forced with anthropogenic forcing give similar results to those shown in (b). [Based on Figure 12.7] |
Assessments based on physical principles and model simulations indicate that natural forcing alone is unlikely to explain the recent observed global warming or the observed changes in vertical temperature structure of the atmosphere. Fully coupled ocean-atmosphere models have used reconstructions of solar and volcanic forcings over the last one to three centuries to estimate the contribution of natural forcing to climate variability and change. Although the reconstruction of natural forcings is uncertain, including their effects produces an increase in variance at longer (multi-decadal) time-scales. This brings the low-frequency variability closer to that deduced from palaeo-reconstructions. It is likely that the net natural forcing (i.e., solar plus volcanic) has been negative over the past two decades, and possibly even the past four decades. Statistical assessments confirm that simulated natural variability, both internal and naturally forced, is unlikely to explain the warming in the latter half of the 20th century (see Figure 15). However, there is evidence for a detectable volcanic influence on climate and evidence that suggests a detectable solar influence, especially in the early part of the 20th century. Even if the models underestimate the magnitude of the response to solar or volcanic forcing, the spatial and temporal patterns are such that these effects alone cannot explain the observed temperature changes over the 20th century.
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