To calculate , we need the albedo
and the greenhouse
effect
. It is from these variables that the radiative model is
coupled to the atmospheric composition, to the carbon cycle and to
the ice sheets. All these coupled components are represented in figure
9.
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The greenhouse effect is decomposed into two components: the
greenhouse effect associated with
(
)
and that associated with water vapor (
) (section
6.2.1).
Albedo is calculated as a function of ice sheet extent
(section 6.4.1). This extent is calculated as a function
of temperature and of the insolation at 65°N
(section 6.4.2).
This insolation is determined by astronomical and orbital parameters.
Sea levels depend both on temperature, through thermal expansion, and on ice sheet extent, which controls the available liquid water (section 6.5).