OK, a teaching moment. Basically, heat is transferred by convection, conduction, and radiation. A blanket traps heat by reducing convective and conductive losses. A greenhouse stays warm by reducing the convective loss of the heat gained from solar radiation. CO2 in the atmosphere reduces the net longwave radiative loss to space. There can also be positive feedbacks such as a warmer atmosphere can hold more water vapor and therefore have more clouds which will further reduce longwave radiative losses to space but also can reduce incoming shortwave radiation. It gets complicated and, yes, there are lots of equations and we write lots of code to solve those equations. However, the equations are based on first principals, laboratory work, and field studies to collect data.
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Originally Posted by jimjamuser
I use the term "blanket" because within my layman's understanding of climate factors........ "blanket" is EASY for me to understand. I concede that it is a "dumbing down of scientific explanations". But, it is useful for me. I can't take the time to dive deeper into further "mysteries of the stratosphere."
........I further concede that I have only a layman's understanding of Climate "tipping point". I wish that I knew more.
.........From my reading, I have concluded that CO2 is not a pollutant when the earth is in NORMAL balance. I believe that it becomes a pollutant (in the ocean killing coral) when it becomes EXCESSIVE compared to normal and can NOT BE absorbed NORMALLY by the earth's trees (Brazilian rainforest destruction) and the OCEANS.
...........I believe that I correctly quoted a Corning Scientist that, "CO2 has the potential to TRAP energy from the sun and heat the surface of the earth".
..........I agree with you that, "we will see SUBSTANTIAL political unrest" and I believe that the US is already seeing illegal CLIMATE migration from South America. The investment analyst known as DR Doom for his unconventional honesty stated that US people should avoid retiring to Florida and Texas due to the increasing HEAT that they will experience that is happening RIGHT NOW. Of course, they won't either hear or take that advice. There are giant areas of Africa that are predicted to become uninhabitable in 30 years.....starting northward migration.
........I believe in the things that I write and I wish I had more than a layman's background to raise the ante in these climate discussions. But, I must keep on keeping on and muddle through it.
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