Non-linearity (Q842)

Subject, term, tag: Non-linearity

Language	Label	Description	Also known as
English	Non-linearity	Subject, term, tag: Non-linearity

Statements

Instance of

Category

source version

IPCC Glossary v1.5

1 reference

Source

https://apps.ipcc.ch/glossary/

date accessed

27 May 2026

Part of

Working Group I: Climate Change 2021 – The Physical Science Basis

0 references

Definition

A process is called non-linear when there is no simple proportional relation between cause and effect. The climate system contains many such non-linear processes, resulting in a system with potentially very complex behaviour. Such complexity may lead to abrupt climate change and tipping points. (English)