Tapio Schneider - Clouds and Climate Tipping Points
- Public Event
Low clouds over subtropical oceans cool Earth's climate because they reflect most of the sunlight shining on them back to space. It is unclear, however, how the clouds themselves change with climate; this gives rise to large uncertainties in climate change projections. Tapio Schneider's lecture will show how advances in computing and satellite observations are enabling breakthroughs in the accuracy of climate projections. Such advances have already revealed a tipping point of the climate system: if greenhouse gas concentrations rise high enough, subtropical low clouds may melt away, triggering dramatic global warming.
This event is free; no tickets or reservations are required. A minimum of 700 seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Reserved section tickets are available to members of The Friends of Beckman Auditorium and the Caltech Associates, and to Caltech alumni.
About the Speaker
Tapio Schneider is the Theodore Y. Wu Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering at Caltech in the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences; and Jet Propulsion Laboratory Senior Research Scientist.
About the Series
Since 1922, The Earnest C. Watson Lecture Series has has brought Caltech's most innovative scientific research to the public. The series is named for Earnest C. Watson, a professor of physics at Caltech from 1919 until 1959. Spotlighting a small selection of the pioneering research Caltech's faculty is currently conducting, the Watson Lectures are geared toward a general audience, as part of the Institute's ongoing commitment to benefiting the local community through education and outreach. Through a gift from the estate of Richard C. Biedebach, the lecture series is able to highlight an assistant professor's research each season.