Earth System Models of Intermediate Complexity (EMICs)

Definition

Earth System Models of Intermediate Complexity (EMICs) are a class of climate models that strike a balance between the detailed representation of physical processes and computational efficiency. EMICs use simplified representations of key processes in the Earth's climate system, such as ocean circulation and carbon cycling, making them less complex than fully coupled General Circulation Models (GCMs) but more detailed than simple energy balance models. These models are particularly useful for studying long-term climate dynamics and the potential impacts of climate change.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. EMICs are designed to run on less powerful computers compared to GCMs, allowing for longer simulations over extended periods.
2. These models incorporate essential feedback mechanisms that affect climate dynamics, such as ice-albedo feedback and carbon cycle feedback.
3. EMICs can be used to explore scenarios of future climate change by simulating different greenhouse gas emission pathways.
4. The simplicity of EMICs allows for easier parameterization and sensitivity analysis compared to more complex models.
5. EMICs have been valuable in understanding past climate events, such as glacial-interglacial cycles, by simulating Earth's response to varying conditions.

Review Questions

• How do Earth System Models of Intermediate Complexity (EMICs) differ from General Circulation Models (GCMs) and Energy Balance Models?
  • EMICs differ from GCMs in that they offer a middle ground; they are less complex than GCMs, which simulate the Earth's climate with high detail, but more intricate than Energy Balance Models, which focus only on radiation balance. While GCMs provide comprehensive simulations of atmospheric and oceanic processes, EMICs simplify some of these processes while still capturing essential feedback mechanisms. Energy Balance Models, on the other hand, do not account for many dynamic interactions within the climate system and provide a more basic overview.
• Discuss the significance of feedback mechanisms in EMICs and their role in climate simulations.
  • Feedback mechanisms in EMICs are crucial because they significantly influence the outcomes of climate simulations. For instance, ice-albedo feedback amplifies warming when ice melts and exposes darker surfaces, leading to further temperature increases. Similarly, carbon cycle feedback can enhance or dampen warming depending on how ecosystems respond to changes in temperature. Understanding these interactions through EMIC simulations helps scientists predict potential climate responses under various greenhouse gas emission scenarios.
• Evaluate the usefulness of EMICs in studying past climate events and projecting future climate scenarios.
  • EMICs are extremely useful for studying past climate events like glacial-interglacial cycles because their balanced complexity allows researchers to simulate Earth's response over long timescales. They can also be employed to project future climate scenarios based on different greenhouse gas emission pathways. By combining enough detail to capture essential processes while maintaining computational efficiency, EMICs provide insights into how past climates can inform our understanding of future changes, thus supporting informed decision-making regarding climate policies.

Related terms

General Circulation Models (GCMs): Advanced climate models that simulate the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surface using complex equations to represent physical processes.

Energy Balance Models: Simplified models that focus on the balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing infrared radiation to estimate temperature changes.

Climate Sensitivity: A measure of how much the average global temperature will increase with a doubling of carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere.