Ilmastikus

Ilmastikus is a term used in climate science to describe the climate system as an integrated whole and the study of its internal dynamics and external forcings. The concept treats climate not as a single variable but as an interconnected network that includes the atmosphere, oceans, cryosphere, land surface, and biosphere, with exchanges of energy, moisture, and momentum among them. Ilmastikus emphasizes feedbacks and teleconnections, such as how warming influences sea ice extent, ocean heat uptake, and vegetation, and how those responses, in turn, reshape temperature and precipitation patterns.

Usage and context: The term is more common in Finnish-language discourse and in educational contexts to convey the holistic nature of climate dynamics. It is not a formal category in major international assessments, which typically refer to the climate system, climate forcing, climate models, and related concepts. In research practice, ilmastikus discussions appear in discussions of coupled climate models, multi-sector impact studies, and integrated assessments.

Limitations: The breadth of the term can lead to ambiguity unless the scope is clarified (for example, whether it refers to the full Earth system or a subset).

See also: climate system; climate model; feedback; teleconnection; climate change adaptation and mitigation.

References: consult standard climate science literature for formal terminology.