THE ATMOSPHERE ENERGY BALANCE
The earth-atmosphere energy balance is achieved as the energy received from the Sun balances the energy lost by the Earth back into space. In this way, the Earth maintains a stable average temperature and therefore a stable climate. The average surface temperature of the moon, which has no atmosphere, is 0°F (-18°C). By contrast, the average surface temperature of the Earth is 59°F (15°C).
However, since the Earth is much cooler than the Sun, its radiating energy is much weaker (long wavelength) infrared energy. We can indirectly see this energy radiate into the atmosphere as heat, rising from a hot road, creating shimmers on hot sunny days.Using 100 units of energy from the sun as a baseline the energy balance is as follows:
| Incoming energy | Outgoing energy | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Units | Source | Units | Source |
| +100 | Shortwave radiation from the sun. | -23 | Shortwave radiation reflected back to space by clouds. |
| -7 | Shortwave radiation reflected to space by the earth’s surface. | ||
| -49 | Longwave radiation from the atmosphere into space. | ||
| -9 | Longwave radiation from clouds into space. | ||
| -12 | Longwave radiation from the earth’s surface into space. | ||
| +100 | Total Incoming | -100 | Total Outgoing |
| Incoming energy | Outgoing energy | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Units | Source | Units | Source |
| +19 | Absorbed shortwave radiation by gases in the atmosphere. | -9 | Longwave radiation emitted to space by clouds. |
| +4 | Absorbed shortwave radiation by clouds. | -49 | Longwave radiation emitted to space by gases in atmosphere. |
| +104 | Absorbed longwave radiation from earth’s surface. | -98 | Longwave radiation emitted to earth’s surface by gases in atmosphere. |
| +5 | From convective currents (rising air warms the atmosphere). | ||
| +24 | Condensation /Deposition of water vapor (heat is released into the atmosphere by process). | ||
| +156 | Total Incoming | -156 | Total Outgoing |
| Incoming energy | Outgoing energy | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Units | Source | Units | Source |
| +47 | Absorbed shortwave radiation from the sun. | -116 | Longwave radiation emitted by the surface. |
| +98 | Absorbed longwave radiation from gases in atmosphere. | -5 | Removal of heat by convection (rising warm air). |
| -24 | Heat required by the processes of evaporation and sublimation and therefore removed from the surface. | ||
| +145 | Total Incoming | -145 | Total Outgoing |
The absorption of infrared radiation trying to escape from the Earth back to space is particularly important to the global energy balance. Energy absorption by the atmosphere stores more energy near its surface than it would if there was no atmosphere.
The average surface temperature of the moon, which has no atmosphere, is 0°F (-18°C). By contrast, the average surface temperature of the Earth is 59°F (15°C). This heating effect is called the greenhouse effect.
The first global temperatures posted were by James Hansen of NASA, David Parker of British Meteorology Office and Phil Jones of CRU East Anglia, who had all used 59 F as their baseline reference from 1973 to 1994 as shown in the attachments below. In the period leading up to 1998 when it was clear there had been no warming, they met and agreed to lower the temperature baseline to 57 degrees Fahrenheit (14 C) which was to enable “wriggle” room for a gradual warming up to slightly above 59 F. They are now nicely positioned at 14.81 C towards the the dreaded 15.26 C, the 1.5 C above the pre-industrial era temperature of 13.76 C as shown in the WMO 2015 climate report.
Separate Studies Rank 1990 As World’s Warmest Year
A Global Warming Resumed in 1994
Earth Temperature in 1998 Is Reported at Record High
1 Comment
I would like to know the date of this article, if it is a most recent then its a breakthrough. Breaking out of group-think is going to take time. Beliefs aren’t changed overnight, nor will they be changed back. Ultimately, no one can force someone’s beliefs to change (especially if they’re strongly associated with some sort of ideology). The best we might be able to do is to slowly chip away at their harmful beliefs until they are able to come to a revelation on their own timing. There will be anger directed at the people who are trying to help the brainwashed instead of the perpetrators of the scam.