Statistical physics offers an approach to studying climate
change that could dramatically reduce the time and brute-force computing that
current simulation techniques require. The new approach focuses on fundamental
forces that drive climate rather than on “following every little swirl” of
water or air. And yes, there’s an app for that.
Scientists are using ever more complex models running on
ever more powerful computers to simulate the earth’s climate. But new research
suggests that basic physics could offer a simpler and more meaningful way to
model key elements of climate.