Disclaimer: this is based on what little atmospheric physics I know...
Well, if the total amount of sunlight is decreasing, that will affect global temperature just a wee bit...
However, if the energy isn't getting through because it's being absorbed by chemicals in the atmosphere, then that energy is added to the atmosphere, which will ultimately serve to warm the planet...
It's only if half that energy is re-radiated and escapes out into space (or reflected, like from the natural clouds of water that perpetually (partially) shrouds the planet) that we can lose solar energy...
So, if the temperature goes up, then the atmosphere can hold more H20 before precipitating. That means: dry places get drier, wet places get wetter. Ice caps retreat, reflection from ice cover goes down, as does cloud cover (clouds are condensed water: if the atmosphere can hold more water vapour, the saturation point goes up; less water condenses; fewer clouds), Therefore more light begins to get through, therefore earth gets warmer still.... the cycle goes hot.
This happens naturally, as part of a 10,000 or so year cycle between ice ages. However, we're seeing it change on a 100-year cycle. Granted, we've only got 400 years of weather data... but the spike is there, and it's related to carbon dioxide.
Hmmm... I can't seem to find where I hid the link to maps of CO2...
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Scientific Ramble
Date: 2005-01-14 10:41 pm (UTC)Well, if the total amount of sunlight is decreasing, that will affect global temperature just a wee bit...
However, if the energy isn't getting through because it's being absorbed by chemicals in the atmosphere, then that energy is added to the atmosphere, which will ultimately serve to warm the planet...
It's only if half that energy is re-radiated and escapes out into space (or reflected, like from the natural clouds of water that perpetually (partially) shrouds the planet) that we can lose solar energy...
So, if the temperature goes up, then the atmosphere can hold more H20 before precipitating. That means: dry places get drier, wet places get wetter. Ice caps retreat, reflection from ice cover goes down, as does cloud cover (clouds are condensed water: if the atmosphere can hold more water vapour, the saturation point goes up; less water condenses; fewer clouds), Therefore more light begins to get through, therefore earth gets warmer still.... the cycle goes hot.
This happens naturally, as part of a 10,000 or so year cycle between ice ages. However, we're seeing it change on a 100-year cycle. Granted, we've only got 400 years of weather data... but the spike is there, and it's related to carbon dioxide.
Hmmm... I can't seem to find where I hid the link to maps of CO2...