Solar Impact: Climate and the Sun

This book is based on an in-depth filmed conversation between Howard Burton and Joanna Haigh, Professor Emerita of Atmospheric Physics at Imperial College London. After inspiring details about how she got into her field of study and how we can encourage more girls to get more interested in science, the conversation examines her research of the influence of the sun and solar variability on our climate, how energy emitted by the Sun in the form of heat, light and ultraviolet radiation warms the earth and drives our climate, how data from satellites and modelling the processes helps us distinguish the warming effects of greenhouse gases from those of natural variations in solar energy, and more. This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Confronting Complexity, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter: I. Meteorological Beginnings - Joanna finds her niche II. Science and Gender - Different disciplines, different stories III. A Curious Correspondence - Examining the link between temperature and solar variation IV. Considering the Earth - A changing orbit and changing tilt V. Considering the Sun - Looking at the solar cycle VI. The Big Picture - More than just the sun VII. Examining the Details - Recreating the weather, more or less VIII. Getting The Word Out - Increasing public awareness IX. Public Policy - From words to acts X. Final Thoughts - Towards a better future About Ideas Roadshow Conversations Series: This book is part of an expanding series of 100+ Ideas Roadshow conversations, each one presenting a wealth of candid insights from a leading expert through a focused yet informal setting to give non-specialists a uniquely accessible window into frontline research and scholarship that wouldn't otherwise be encountered through standard lectures and textbooks. For other books in this series visit our website: https://ideas-on-film.com/ideasroadshow/.