Stabilizing Atmospheric Concentrations: Towards International Methane Control

Publication

In this paper we present a mathematical formulation of a well-known model of the enhanced greenhouse effect: the Dutch IMAGE model.

The formulation is in the form of a dynamical system with forcing term consisting primarily of human interference in the form of emissions of greenhouse gases and land use changes. We demonstrate that a mathematical equilibrium/stability analysis of this relatively large-scale, nonlinear system is possible and yields useful insights into the underlying environmental phenomena. The mathematical formulation and technique used can be viewed as quite generic and applicable to a wide range of environmental models. In addition, our formulation should enable mathematicians and other scientists to begin a deeper structural analysis of the IMAGE (90) model, its assumptions, and conclusions.

Authors

Braddock, R., J. Filar, R. Zapert, J. Rotmans and M. den Elzen

Specifications

Publication title
Stabilizing Atmospheric Concentrations: Towards International Methane Control
Publication date
2 May 1994
Publication type
Publication
Magazine
Applied Mathematical Modelling, Volume 18, Issue 5, 234-254
Product number
90005