How the Greenhouse Effect Works Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an atmospheric constituent that plays several vital roles in the environment. It absorbs infrared radiation in the atmosphere. It plays a crucial role in the weathering of rocks. It is the raw material for photosynthesis and its carbon is incorporated into organic matter in the biosphere and may eventually be stored in the Earth as fossil fuels. Most of the sun's energy that falls on the Earth's surface is in the visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. This is in large part because the Earth's atmosphere is transparent to these wavelengths (we all know that with a functioning ozone layer, the higher frequencies like ultraviolet are mostly screened out). Part of the sunlight is reflected back into space, depending on the albedo or reflectivity of the surface. Part of the sunlight is absorbed by the Earth and held as thermal energy. This heat is then re-radiated in the form of longer wavelength infrared radiation. While the dominant gases of the atmosphere (nitrogen and oxygen) are transparent to infrared, the so-called greenhouse gasses, primarily water vapor (H2O), CO2, and methane (CH4), absorb some of the infrared radiation. They collect this heat energy and hold it in the atmosphere, delaying its passage back out of the atmosphere. Due in part to the warming effects of the greenhouse gases, the global average temperature is about 15°C (59°F). Without the greenhouse gases the global average temperature would be much colder, about -18°C (0°F). Greenhouse Gas Induced Global Warming Since the industrial revolution got into full swing in the 19th century we have been burning ever increasing amounts of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gasoline, natural gas) in electric generating plants, manufacturing plants, trains, automobiles, airplanes, etc. Burning releases CO2 into the atmosphere (much the same as respiration does). These fossil fuels may have formed tens or hundreds of millions of years ago from the buried and preserved remains of plant and animal matter whose carbon originated via photosynthesis. With higher CO2 concentrations come expectations of a stronger greenhouse effect and therefore warmer global temperatures. This was originally proposed by a chemist named Arrhenius about a century ago. Global average temperatures have risen by a small, but measurable amount in the past 100 years, apparently in large part because of the higher level of atmospheric CO2. Global average temperatures are expected to be on the order of 2-5°C (3.6-9°F) higher by the time CO2doubles the pre-industrial concentration. The temperature rise will be small in the tropics but much greater at high latitudes. Consequences of Global Warming A whole host of consequences will result. Some are probably already occurring. Temperature measurements of the sea surface and deep ocean indicate that the oceans are warming. Rising ocean temperature causes rising sea level from thermal expansion of the water. Rising temperature also means melting glaciers and rising sea level through addition of meltwater to the oceans. Sea level rose about 1 foot during the last century, mostly from thermal expansion of the oceans. Sea level is expected to rise closer to 3 feet during the coming century. Rising sea level will cause increasing coastal erosion, flooding, and property damage during coastal storms on top of the potential for major loss of life from storms in low-lying coastal countries like Bangladesh and island nations in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Warmer sea surface temperatures will result in more and stronger tropical storms (hurricanes and typhoons). Coastlines already ravaged by these storms will expect to see more strong storms than before, increasing the loss of life and damage to infrastructure. It is much more difficult to predict how regional and local weather patterns will change but there will certainly be changes. While higher temperatures will produce more rainfall across the globe, the regional rainfall patterns will likely change. Some areas will get more, some areas will get less. The timing of wet and dry periods may change. But higher temperatures will also mean more evaporation. Higher temperatures may also mean stronger storms with damaging winds. All of these mean new risks and changing conditions for agriculture. Centuries old farming practices will have to change. Some areas may go from being marginal to becoming a breadbasket region, while other regions may go from major agricultural production to marginal. Higher CO2 allows plants to grow faster (more CO2 enhances photosynthesis). That would sound good for agriculture. However, weed species tend to grow even better than crop plants under enhanced CO2 conditions so improved crop growth may be nullified by weed competition. Natural ecosystems will be hard pressed to keep up with the changing climate because the rate of change will be faster than typical long-term natural climate change. Many species, especially plant species, will not be able to migrate to cooler areas fast enough to keep up with the warming of their habitats. And arctic species will have no place to go and may not be able to adapt to the new conditions. Severe summer heat in areas not used to it can lead to deaths. Higher heat and expansion of tropical areas may lead to increased incidence of malaria. What Can We Do About Global Warming? We can't realistically stop the rise of CO2 in the near term, but we can slow it and therefore reduce the consequences that will occur. More fuel-efficient cars, less frivolous driving, more use of mass transit, improved insulation to decrease the fuel burned to heat and cool our homes, more efficient appliances, use of fluorescent rather than incandescent light bulbs, and careful monitoring of home electricity usage (turn off the lights and TV when not using them) can reduce our energy needs. Conversion to alternatives like wind and solar power which don't burn fossil fuels and emit CO2 into the atmosphere. Planting large areas with trees will consume CO2 as the trees grow, until the forests mature. Stopping deforestation in the tropical forests around the world, especially in the Amazon and Indonesian rain forests, will keep that carbon in the forest rather than sending it back into the atmosphere as the trees are burned or decay and are not replaced by more. Other techniques have also been proposed such as the chemical removal of CO2 from smokestacks and burial in deep underground reservoirs, though only certain areas can benefit from this, or disposal in the deep ocean where they will form a semi-stable compound under the cold temperatures and high pressures, though the CO2 could too easily come bubbling back up. These latter solutions are not well studied and wouldn't be especially cheap. Moreover, leaders, societies, communities, local planners, farmers, health organizations, need to recognize the changing climate and rising sea level as they make plans for the future. Our citizens need to be educated as to likely changes and how best to deal with the changing conditions. http://www.columbia.edu/~vjd1/greenhouse.htm
I have posted studies supporting this info below many times. 1. We don't live in a closed system. Studies have shown.. a. The earth off gases CO2. and the oceans have been warming since the last ice age. b. The warming may probably comes from underwater vents and volcanoes. 2. Mostly likely the temperature sets the level of co2 the way it sets the level of water vapor. a. multiple studies have shown that throughout history co2 levels trail temperature up and down. 3. We don't even know if adding more co2 will cause more warming because eventually co2 will act more as a shield than a blanket. a. because co2 becomes logarthimically less effective at warming as you add more of it. b. because co2 also blocks income warming rays as it gets added to the upper atmosphere.
Rising emissions of carbon dioxide create twin threats for coral in oceans around the world: warmer temperatures, which can cause mass bleachings, and ocean acidification, which can hinder the animals’ ability to build reefs. But a new study published on Friday in the journal Science Advances suggests that ocean acidification may be the bigger worry in some waters. Studying a chain of remote Australian islands in the Indian Ocean, researchers found that more acidic waters (those that have absorbed more atmospheric carbon dioxide) cause serious skeletal deformities in juvenile coral in subtropical waters. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/20/s...-coral.html?rref=collection/column/trilobites
You propagandize about nonsensical AGW effects on the ocean but likely don't care that the marine industry dumps their garbage in the ocean. In the future massive computers will forensically attribute everything you ever posted on the internet to you. I think you are going to feel rather silly when you are characterized for life by the stupid stuff you posted. This whole thread is a load of tripe.
The top causes of coral reef bleaching are Solar Irradiance, Subaerial Exposure, Sedimentation, Fresh Water Dilution, Inorganic Nutrients and Xenbiotics. AGW and CO2 have nothing to do with it.
The worsening of tidal flooding in American coastal communities is largely a consequence of greenhouse gases from human activity, and the problem will grow far worse in coming decades, scientists reported Monday. Those emissions, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels, are causing the ocean to rise at the fastest rate since at least the founding of ancient Rome, the scientists said. They added that in the absence of human emissions, the ocean surface would be rising less rapidly and might even be falling. The increasingly routine tidal flooding is making life miserable in places like Miami Beach; Charleston, S.C.; and Norfolk, Va., even on sunny days. They also confirmed previous forecasts that if emissions were to continue at a high rate over the next few decades, the ocean could rise as much as three or four feet by 2100. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/23/s...column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
The beginning of the end of the warming scam: http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2016/02/paris_climate_accord_hope_change__and_collapse.html “This could be the beginning of the end of Obama's dictatorial tendencies. We can only hope that it is likewise the beginning of the end of the climate scam. If Republicans and moderate Democrats start to cut funding to the Climate Cartel, as the Aussies did recently, the climate hysteria could wane rapidly.” “Obama may think that the delay imposed upon him by SCOTUS will cause irreparable harm (to his presidency or the planet), but the clear harm would have been to the states forced to follow EPA regulations that are now likely to be overturned. The problem goes far beyond the EPA coal regulations; it involves Obama exceeding his authority with an obvious end-run around the Congress. That is clearly within SCOTUS’ purview; climate science is not." “If scientists prove unable to get their own house in order, the courts may have to learn a little science and do it for them. One legal avenue for that may be the 'Data Quality Act' that should force government agencies to do a far more honest job of presenting the real scientific data that justifies (or does not justify) their actions. If Federal agencies are to continue enjoying the deference they now get from the courts, they have to be forced to do reputable science, not merely reputable politics." The stay is in effect until June and then it could take 2-3 years to resolve the case by which time a new president will likely simply reverse the Obama executive orders to the EPA to proceed. Looks like your boy lost this one. lol
lol American Thinker (affectionately nicknamed "American Stinker" by its fans) is an online wingnut publication that's more or less the poor man's WND or Newsmax. They've published articles by such conservativeluminaries as Noel Sheppard (NewsBusters) and Pamela Geller and such climate experts as S. Fred Singer and Christopher Monckton, as well as an interview with (and hagiography of) white nationalist Jared Taylor.[2] The magazine, of course, is chock-full of right-wing conspiracy theories, woo, and pseudoscience. On the conspiracy side, they promote birtherism, "creeping sharia," red-baiting, and still occasionally prattle on about Vince Foster. On the science side, they concentrate on creationism and global warming denialism. Interesting articles Time for Congress to Declare War on Obama (Obama is destroying 'Merica; Congress should declare war!) Is This the End Game for Liberal Racism? (Liberals are the true racist, sexist, homophobic bigots.) Giving thanks to a brave congresswoman whose life is now in danger (Poor Michelle Bachmann has been the sole voice of reason when it comes to the Muslim Brotherhood's "infiltration" of the US government.) A Suicidal Collapse of Western Civilization? (Islamo-Fascist immigrants and attempts to stop global warming will destroy civilization!!1! Only Russia can save us!) Learning from Russia's Return to Its Historical Roots (Fascist LGBT activists are destroying the West!!1!one1! Only learning from Russia and Islamic Jihadists can save us!) If the Birther Issue Comes Up in Debate: (Could you imagine how AWESOME it would be if Mitt Romney disproved Barack Obama's citizenship during a presidential debate? NO?! That's OK -- I have the whole thing scripted here!)[3]
Sea levels rising at alarming rates, new study projects oceans will rise 11 to 52 inches by 2100 The Associated Press Updated: Tuesday, February 23, 2016, 9:56 AM "Sea levels on Earth are rising several times faster than they have in the past 2,800 years and are accelerating because of man-made global warming, according to new studies. "An international team of scientists dug into two dozen locations across the globe to chart gently rising and falling seas over centuries and millennia. Until the 1880s and the world’s industrialization, the fastest seas rose was about 1 to 1.5 inches a century, plus or minus a bit. During that time global sea level really didn’t get much higher or lower than 3 inches above or below the 2,000-year average. "But in the 20th century the world’s seas rose 5.5 inches. Since 1993 the rate has soared to a foot per century. And two different studies published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, said by 2100 that the world’s oceans will rise between 11 to 52 inches, depending on how much heat-trapping gas Earth’s industries and vehicles expel. “There’s no question that the 20th century is the fastest,” said Rutgers earth and planetary sciences professor Bob Kopp, lead author of the study that looked back at sea levels over the past three millennia. “It’s because of the temperature increase in the 20th century which has been driven by fossil fuel use.” "To figure out past sea levels and rates of rise and fall, scientists engaged in a “geological detective story,” said study co-author Ben Horton, a Rutgers marine scientist. They went around the world looking at salt marshes and other coastal locations and used different clues to figure out what the sea level was at different times. They used single cell organisms that are sensitive to salinity, mangroves, coral, sediments and other clues in cores, Horton said. On top of that they checked their figures by easy markers such as the rise of lead with the start of the industrial age and isotopes only seen in the atomic age. "When Kopp and colleagues charted the sea level rise over the centuries — they went back 3,000 years, but aren’t confident in the most distant 200 years — they saw Earth’s sea level was on a downward trend until the industrial age. "Sea level rise in the 20th century is mostly man-made, the study authors said. A separate, not-yet-published study by Kopp and others found since 1950, about two-thirds of the U.S. nuisance coastal floods in 27 locales have the fingerprints of man-made warming. "And if seas continue to rise, as projected, another 18 inches of sea level rise is going to cause lots of problems and expense, especially with surge during storms, said study co-author Stefan Rahmstorf of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany. “There is such a tight relationship between sea level and temperature,” Horton said. “I wish there wasn’t, then we wouldn’t be as worried.” "The link to temperature is basic science, the study’s authors said. Warm water expands. Cold water contracts. The scientists pointed to specific past eras when temperatures and sea rose and fell together. "The Kopp study and a separate one published by another team projected future sea level rise based on various techniques. They came to the same general estimates, despite using different methods, said Anders Levermann, a co-author of the second paper and a researcher at the Potsdam Institute. "If greenhouse gas pollution continues at the current pace, both studies project increases of about 22 to 52 inches. If countries fulfill the treaty agreed upon last year in Paris and limit further warming to another 2 degrees Fahrenheit, sea level rise would be in the 11 to 22 inch range. "Jonathan Overpeck at the University of Arizona, who wasn’t part of the studies, praised them, saying they show a clear cause and effect between warming and sea level rise."