ecology news

ecology

important new item on global warming

“... some climate models might be overestimating the amount of water vapor entering the atmosphere as the Earth warms. Since water vapor is the most important heat-trapping greenhouse gas in our atmosphere, some climate forecasts may be overestimating future temperature increases.

“In response to human emissions of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, the Earth warms, more water evaporates from the ocean, and the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere increases. Since water vapor is also a greenhouse gas, this leads to a further increase in the surface temperature. This effect is known as "positive water vapor feedback." Its existence and size have been contentiously argued for several years.”

With animations.

related material
global warming

19.03.2004

related material
global warming

email email_abelard [at] abelard.org

© abelard, 2004, 19 march


all rights reserved

the address for this document is https://www.abelard.org/news/ecology040319.asp

variable words
prints as variable A4 pages (on my printer and set-up)