Hemispheric Symmetry of Planetary Albedo: A Corollary of Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics

It is increasingly recognized that the generic climate state is a macroscopic manifestation of a nonequilibrium thermodynamic (NT) system characterized by maximum entropy production (MEP)—a generalized second law. Through a minimal tropical/polar-band model, I show that MEP would propel low clouds t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Atmosphere 2023-08, Vol.14 (8), p.1243
Main Author: Ou, Hsien-Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Albedo
albedo symmetry
Analysis
Atmosphere
Climate
Climate change
Climate models
cloud distribution
Cloud physics
Clouds
Eddies
Entropy
Entropy production
Environmental aspects
General circulation models
Glacial epoch
Heat
Ice ages
Low clouds
Maximum entropy
maximum entropy production
Nonequilibrium thermodynamics
Physics
Symmetry
Thermodynamics
Triassic
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Summary:It is increasingly recognized that the generic climate state is a macroscopic manifestation of a nonequilibrium thermodynamic (NT) system characterized by maximum entropy production (MEP)—a generalized second law. Through a minimal tropical/polar-band model, I show that MEP would propel low clouds to polar bands to symmetrize the planetary albedo, a remarkable observation that may now be explained. The prognosed polar albedo is consistent with the current observation, which moreover is little altered during the ice age of more reflective land and the early Triassic period of symmetric land, suggesting its considerable stability through Earth’s history. Climate models have not replicated the observed albedo symmetry and, given the potency of MEP in propelling clouds, it is suggested that to improve climate models, a higher premium be placed on resolving eddies—thereby encapsulating the NT—than detailed cloud physics.
ISSN:2073-4433
2073-4433
DOI:10.3390/atmos14081243