A Stability Theorem for Energy-Balance Climate Models

Abstract

This paper treats the stability of steady-state solutions of some simple, latitude-dependent, energy-balance climate models. For north-south symmetric solutions of models with an ice-cap-type albedo feed-back, and for the sum of horizontal transport and infrared radiation given by a linear operator, it is possible to prove a ?slope-stability? theorem; i.e., if the local slope of the steady-state icelinc latitude versus solar constant curve is positive (negative) the steady-state solution is stable (unstable). Certain rather weak restrictions on the albedo function and on the heat transport are required for the proof, and their physical basis is discussed in the text.