Re: [OM] Climate Change

[Mike Gordon via olympus]

Moose on High Ground writes:

<<I wonder if there is any meaningful basis for this idea, or might it simply 
be wishful thinking. A great many processes in nature reach a tipping point 
where they switch from gradual to rapid. A point could occur where all the ice 
suddenly slips into the seas in a matter of days or <<weeks. 


Must agree--there are many climate models but the climate certainly involves 
some nonlinear dynamics  and a major component of non-linear dynamics is the 
theory of bifurcations, these being points in the slow evolution of a system at 
which qualitative changes or even sudden jumps of behavior can occur (tipping 
point).  We can already see evidence that positive feedback loops are starting 
to engage.   Some areas to worry about include Arctic summer sea-ice  and the  
Atlantic thermohaline circulation as possibly being subject to 
bifurcations--among several others.  

Dry for now, Mike


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