The sun contributed as much as 45–50% of the 1900–2000 global warming
Published Fri, Oct 27 2006 5:52 PM
Technorati Tags: Global Warming
In an article published by the American Geophysical Union, two scientists have concluded that as much as 50% of the global warming experienced during the 20th century was caused by the sun. This study was based upon solar irradiance satellite composites (variations in the amount of energy produced by the sun). The scientists don't dismiss the possibility of anthropogenic warming (caused by CO2).
Earlier I noted another study that shows that the sun's magnetic field affects how much cosmic radiation reaches the lower atmosphere. The stronger the sun's magnetic field the fewer cosmic rays reach the lower atmosphere. This results in less low-level cloud cover, which means less of the radiation reaching the atmosphere is reflected back into space before it can be absorbed by the earth and re-radiated as infra-red (heat) radiation for greenhouse gasses to trap.
So, it seems to me that if 50% of the warming was caused by variations in the sun's output, and another large contribution was made due to reduced low-atmospheric cloud cover, MOST of the recent global warming, isn't even related to CO2 in the first place, so it's not likely to be anthropogenic.
In other words "We Didn't Do IT"!
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Whacky responded with:
 | I'd argue the sun contributed 100% of the global warming. I haven't noticed any other nearby stars lately. |
Perri Nelson responded with:
 | Technically, you're correct.
And, according to the central bureaucracy that's the best kind of correct. |
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