The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming
by Professor Ray Bates
Meteorology and Climate Centre, UCD
8pm May 12th, RDS Dodder Room B, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, with refreshments from 7pm in Dodder Room A.
This lecture marks the 30th anniverary of the Irish Met Society, which was founded by Ray Bates.
It is necessary to pre-book your seat - click here to register.
Brief Biography:
Ray Bates is Adjunct Professor of Meteorology in the Meteorology and Climate Centre, School of Mathematical Sciences, UCD. He obtained a B.Sc. in Physics from UCD in 1962 and a PhD in meteorology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1969. He spent his early career in Met Éireann, where he held the positions of Head of Research and Assistant Director. From 1987 to 1995 he was a Senior Scientist and Branch Head in the Laboratory for Atmospheres at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre. From 1995 to 2004, he was Professor of Meteorology at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen. His current research is in global climate feedbacks. Prof. Bates is a member of the Royal Irish Academy and of the Academia Europaea. He was President of the Irish Meteorological Society (2004-08). He was awarded the Vilhelm Bjerknes Medal of the European Geosciences Union in 2009.
Lecture Abstract:
The scientific basis of the greenhouse effect will be described, ranging from the original experimental work on the absorption of infrared radiation by greenhouse gases carried out by the Irish physicist, John Tyndall, 150 years ago up to the results of modern climate models. The current observational evidence of the enhanced greenhouse effect due to human activities will be surveyed. Aspects of natural climate variability will be described and the question of whether there is any causal relationship between global warming and the recent Northern Hemisphere cold winters will be addressed.
The RDS:
Parking will be available to all attending, free of charge. As there are several commercial events on that evening, you must state that they are attending the ‘Irish Met Society’ event at the RDS Anglesea Road entrance, otherwise you may be charged a parking fee. See http://www.rds.ie/index.jsp?p=102&n=129 for a map of the RDS.
Lecture Poster:
