Solar Influences on Climate
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
One of the greatest science policy issues today is to determine what actions should be taken in response to human-induced changes in the Earth's climate. In order to attribute observed effects to human activity, however, it is essential that we have confidence in our ability to distinguish human-induced changes from those due to natural causes. The fundamental source of energy for the climate system is the Sun but the contribution of solar variability to recent climate change is not well known due to uncertainties in both the magnitude of the Sun's variations and the mechanisms of the climate response. Satellite measurements of total solar irradiance over the past 26 years show that it varies by ~0.1% over the 11-year solar cycle. However, with no reliable direct measurements having been made before the satellite era, studies of the role of solar variability in determining historical climate rely on reconstructions based on proxy activity indicators such as sunspot numbers. There are large uncertainties in these reconstructions and the spectral composition of the irradiance, which is important in determining the impact on atmospheric temperature and composition, is even less well known. Better specification of the temporal variation of total and spectral irradiance is necessary to provide the input required for climate studies. Signals of solar activity throughout the atmosphere have been detected in meteorological data but details of the links remain uncertain. For example, the direct effect on the temperature of the upper atmosphere is fairly well-understood but cannot explain the observed signal of solar variability at lower altitudes. One possible mechanism, based on the observation that variability in solar ultraviolet radiation is much greater than overall, suggests that the direct effects of the UV variations on the stratosphere may indirectly influence the atmosphere below by dynamical coupling, although details of how this takes place are unclear. Furthermore, the stratospheric impact may be associated with solar-induced changes in ozone but this response is not well established, with estimates from satellite data showing different structures from those predicted by theoretical models. In this project we will address all the key issues of uncertainty outlined above. The work will be carried out through a coordinated programme involving the participation of a number of overseas scientists who perceive the benefits of being involved in such an interdisciplinary collaborative project. We will use advanced theoretical models of the solar atmosphere to determine the relationship between solar irradiance and surface magnetic features (such as sunspots) and use this model, with the sunspot record, to determine the total and spectral irradiance over the past 300 years. Atmospheric measurements will be analysed to identify robust signals of solar influence on winds, temperature and chemical composition from the surface to the thermosphere. The irradiance data will be used in a number of different global circulation models of the Earth's atmosphere to investigate the impact of the solar variability and the results compared with the observational analyses. Discrepancies will be used to define further model experiments and to identify the key dynamical and chemical mechanism(s) through which solar variability influences tropospheric climate. The advances in understanding gained through these analyses will be used to improve the representation of the relevant processes in climate models. Beneficiaries will include all interested in climate change including researchers, policymakers and the general public. The irradiance reconstructions will be made available to climate modelling centres. The meteorological data analyses will be submitted to international assessments of trends in temperature and ozone while our advances in understanding of the processes involved will help to advance medium and long-range forecasting.
Organisations
Publications
Haigh J
(2012)
Solar Cycle Signals in the Pacific and the Issue of Timings
in Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
Hosking J
(2012)
Possible Dynamical Mechanisms for Southern Hemisphere Climate Change due to the Ozone Hole
in Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
Simpson I
(2012)
A Mechanism for the Effect of Tropospheric Jet Structure on the Annular Mode-Like Response to Stratospheric Forcing
in Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
Committee On The Effects Of Solar Variability On Earth's Climate
(2012)
The Effects of Solar Variability on Earth's Climate: A Workshop Report
Ball W
(2012)
Reconstruction of total solar irradiance 1974-2009
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Butchart N
(2011)
Multimodel climate and variability of the stratosphere
in Journal of Geophysical Research
Ball W
(2011)
Solar irradiance variability: a six-year comparison between SORCE observations and the SATIRE model
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Krivova N
(2011)
Towards a long-term record of solar total and spectral irradiance
in Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics
Cnossen I
(2011)
Solar signal propagation: The role of gravity waves and stratospheric sudden warmings
in Journal of Geophysical Research
Unruh Y
(2011)
Solar Irradiance Models and Measurements: A Comparison in the 220-240 nm wavelength band
in Surveys in Geophysics
Cooper F
(2011)
Climate Sensitivity via a Nonparametric Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorem
in Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
Krivova N
(2011)
Towards a long-term record of solar total and spectral irradiance
in Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics
Afram N
(2011)
Intensity contrast from MHD simulations and HINODE observations
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Dhomse S
(2011)
Solar response in tropical stratospheric ozone: a 3-D chemical transport model study using ERA reanalyses
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Ineson S
(2011)
Solar forcing of winter climate variability in the Northern Hemisphere
in Nature Geoscience
Roy I
(2011)
The influence of solar variability and the quasi-biennial oscillation on lower atmospheric temperatures and sea level pressure
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Lu H
(2011)
High- and low-frequency 11-year solar cycle signatures in the Southern Hemispheric winter and spring
in Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society
Afram N
(2010)
A comparison of measured and simulated solar network contrast
in Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
Charlton-Perez A
(2010)
The potential to narrow uncertainty in projections of stratospheric ozone over the 21st century
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Roy I
(2010)
Solar cycle signals in sea level pressure and sea surface temperature
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Haigh JD
(2010)
An influence of solar spectral variations on radiative forcing of climate.
in Nature
Tian W
(2010)
Effects of stratosphere-troposphere chemistry coupling on tropospheric ozone
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
Tian W
(2010)
Chemistry-Climate Model Simulations of Twenty-First Century Stratospheric Climate and Circulation Changes
in Journal of Climate
Hirzberger J
(2010)
QUIET-SUN INTENSITY CONTRASTS IN THE NEAR-ULTRAVIOLET AS MEASURED FROM SUNRISE
in The Astrophysical Journal
Lockwood M
(2010)
Top-down solar modulation of climate: evidence for centennial-scale change
in Environmental Research Letters
Description | Role of variations in UV radiation on climate |
Exploitation Route | Research further developed by scientists across the world. Investigation by Met Office has found that seasonal forecasts may be improved by a knowledge of the state of the Sun. |
Sectors | Energy Environment |
Description | They have advanced understanding of how the Sun influences the climate. They have led to an understanding by Met agencies that the models used for climate forecasting need to include a good representation of the stratosphere, and external factors which influence it. They have informed debate on the role of the Sun in climate change useful for policymakers. |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Environment |
Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
Description | Advice to DECC |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Impact | info to government on factors influencing climate change, specifically the Sun |
Description | House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Impact | advice to government on factors influencing cliamte change |
Description | US Natioanl Academy of Sciences Panel on continuation of long-term satellite TSI observation |
Geographic Reach | North America |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Impact | US government decision on new satellite instrumentation |
Description | about 75 schools talks, amateur meteorological societies, media interviews |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I can provide details of all the activities if necessary continuing interest in solar influences on climate from all branches of society |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016 |