Extreme Climates and How to Avoid Them

Abstract

Climate change poses an existential threat. In this dissertation, I explore the uncertainties within, atmospheric changes due to, adaptations for, and mitigation pathways to avoid catastrophic warming. I begin with an analysis of extreme warming in Global Climate Model simulations into 2300, continue to an analysis of Washington State energy assistance policy in a warming world, and end with a coupled economic-climate model to bridge the topics of atmospheric science and climate policy. I find that prioritizing the reduction of fossil fuel emissions rather than scaling carbon capture technologies provides the best chance of avoiding local- to global-scale climatological changes. Ultimately, future research must prioritize equity in climate modeling to better guide us to a greener future.