Influence on the Natural Greenhouse Effect

Carbon Dioxide Emission Graph

Influence on the Natural Greenhouse Effect, figure 1

Change Over Time

Influence on the Natural Greenhouse Effect, figure 1

Natural Greenhouse Effect

Influence on the Natural Greenhouse Effect, figure 1

A natural temperature-

control system that relies on greenhouse gases

  • The concentration of carbon (carbon dioxide and methane) strongly influence the natural greenhouse effect.
  • Earth’s climate driven by incoming shortwave solar radiation
  • Approx. 31% is reflected by clouds, aerosols and gases in the atmosphere and land surface
  • 69% is absorbed; almost 50% of this absorbed at the Earth’s surface, especially by oceans
  • 69% of surface absorption is re-radiated to space as longwave radiation

BUT a large proportion of this__ longwave__ radiation is re-radiated back to the surface by clouds and gases.

This ‘trapping’ of longwave radiation is what gives a life supporting average of 15 degrees – the ‘natural greenhouse effect’