Fundamental Climate Dynamics in Energy Balance Models: Stability, Paleoclimate Extremes, and Greenhouse Gas Forcing

Abstract

This study investigates fundamental mechanisms of the Earth's climate system using energy balance models (EBMs) of varying complexity. A zero dimensional (0D), globally averaged model and a one dimensional (1D), latitudinally resolved model were employed to address the following research questions: (i) How stable is the climate system under external perturbations? (ii) How can the Faint Sun Paradox be examined within a simplified modelling framework? (iii) How does the climate respond to increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases? and (iv) To what extent do 0D and 1D EBMs differ in their ability to represent these phenomena?
Both models are capable of reproducing key features of the climate system, including feedback mechanisms such as the ice albedo effect. The 1D model provides enhanced spatial resolution and more detailed representations of latitudinal processes, whereas the 0D model exhibits greater sensitivity to parametric changes. Simulations indicate that the climate system can exhibit strong nonlinear responses, including abrupt transitions into globally glaciated states, known as Snowball Earth scenarios.
These results highlight the potential and the limitations of low complexity climate models in capturing essential system behavior. The comparison between model types underscores the trade off between computational simplicity and physical detail, informing model selection for conceptual and exploratory climate studies.