 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Humidity increases greenhouse gas warming
College Station, Texas (UPI) Nov 11, 2008 U.S. scientists say if greenhouse gases levels are not reduced soon, significantly warmer global conditions are nearly a certainty during the next century. Texas A&M University scientists Zhibo Zhan and Ping Yang, and Professor Andrew Dessler conducted a study of the Earth's temperature variations from 2003 to 2008. They discovered changes in the humidity of the atmosphere amplify warming due to greenhouse gas emissions alone. That, they said, confirms it is highly likely the Earth will experience several degrees of warming during the next century if nothing is done to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Using measurements of water vapor from NASA's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder aboard the Aqua satellite, the researchers confirmed that from 2003 to 2008, the humidity in the atmosphere followed temperatures during that five-year period. Enhanced humidity resulting from more greenhouse gases is viewed as a major factor in projected warmer global temperatures, according to their research. "This new data shows that as surface temperature increases, so does atmospheric humidity," Dessler said. "Thus, if we dump greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, we'll be making the atmosphere more humid. And since water vapor is itself a greenhouse gas, the increase in humidity amplifies the initial warming." The study appeared recently in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. Related Links Climate Science News - Modeling, Mitigation Adaptation
Financial crisis puts heat on Australian govt over climate plan
Melbourne (AFP) Nov 9, 2008Australia's centre-left government is under pressure to water down its plans to tackle climate change as the global financial crisis threatens jobs and economic growth, experts say. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement |
