What type of models are GCMs commonly paired with to study climate change?

General Circulation Models (GCMs) are sophisticated tools used to simulate and understand the climate system. They incorporate physical laws governing the atmosphere, oceans, and land surface, providing insights into temperature, precipitation patterns, and other climate variables.

GCMs are commonly paired with Energy System Models (ESMs) to study climate change because ESMs integrate the interactions between energy systems and the climate. These models consider how energy production and consumption influence greenhouse gas emissions, which, in turn, affect the climate system. By combining GCMs with ESMs, researchers can assess future climate scenarios considering both the physical processes governing climate and the socio-economic factors influencing energy use and emissions. This pairing allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the potential impacts of climate change, informing policy and decision-making.

While statistical models, dynamic models, and geospatial models have their own applications in climate science, they do not provide the same level of integration between climate dynamics and energy systems as ESMs do.