Climate Change – Beyond the Global Warming

Global warming is an issue that we hear about nearly every day. Most scientists believe it affects the average temperature on our planet. According to some, this will have disastrous effects on many equilibrium processes, climate, and weather conditions. According to some of the harshest predictions, this process is becoming irreversible. That would mean that humankind is on the verge of extinction.

Global Warming is a process that we should take seriously. The consumption of fossil fuels is often identified as the culprit, as this causes the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) to rise.

On the other hand, scientists are also discovering other processes that, to some extent, balance out the effects of rising CO2 content in the atmosphere. Here are some theories that scientists have developed since the first reports on the Green House effect in 1988.

• Bio-thermostat
• Albedo and clouds
• Planetary motion
• Solar cycle
• Ocean currents
• Human intervention

This blog discusses these in more detail.

Bio-Thermostat

According to this first theory, part of the negative effects of CO2 emissions are offset by other chemical and biological consequences.

For example, plants absorb CO2 to grow. So, increasing levels of carbon dioxide would make these plants grow faster. That means that an increase in vegetation can keep carbon dioxide levels at a reasonable level.

Other chemicals that offset the effects of global warming are carbonyl sulphide, dimethyl sulphide, and various iodinated compounds. The levels of these chemicals increase proportionally with CO2 content. Small particles, which are also the result of human action, are thought to partially prevent sunlight from entering the earth’s atmosphere.

Albedo and Clouds

Albedo is a Latin word that means ‘whiteness’. It is a measure of how much diffuse solar radiation is reflected. White things, such as snow, reflect most radiation, 50-85%. Dark bodies, such as forests, absorb a lot of solar energy, around 90%.

Logically speaking then, forests contribute to the warming up of the planet. This may go against our intuition which dictates that forests are good for the earth. Deforestation in our minds is bad, while in reality, they add to albedo, or reflection of solar energy.

One of the effects of global warming is the formation of clouds. Clouds are white objects that have a high albedo index. Thus, more clouds lead to more reflection of solar energy. According to some scientists, the increase in light objects, in part offsets the effects of greenhouse gases.

Planetary Motion

The earth’s orientation and rotation change constantly. These motions are governed by the influence of other celestial bodies, such as the moon and other planets.

Changes in the way the earth behaves with respect to the sun influence the amount and kind of solar energy that reaches the earth. Some parts become more or less exposed, with local and global consequences.

Scientists have researched local climate changes and sediment deposits. They have found evidence that these kinds of variations have been going on for many millenniums. They have found a relation between orbital and gravitational disturbances and ice ages.

Solar Cycle

The previous observations contradict scientific observations to some extent. Then how is it possible that we see climate changes? One of them is known as the solar cycle or the Schwabe cycle.

The sun does not always emit the same amount of energy. There is an eleven-year cycle that scientists measure by the amount of solar radiation, sunspots, solar flares, and other observables. Each cycle has a minimum and maximum when less or more solar energy reaches the earth.

These solar cycles are also not constant. Over the last 400 years, some solar cycles are higher energy than others. Between 1600 and 1750 the intensity of the sun was considerably lower. After 1850 or so, the intensity has been significantly higher.

Ocean Currents

Another explanation for the climate effects is the ocean currents. Ocean currents are caused by temperature, density, and salt concentration differences. That causes the equilibration of concentrations and temperatures. It makes the earth’s oceans form one global system.

In this way, enormous amounts of matter, solids and gases, and energy are distributed over the earth. It follows that the ocean currents have a huge impact on the planet’s average climate.

When these ocean currents slow down, the mass and temperature distribution over the earth become distorted. Some parts of the planet become warmer, and others become cooler. The slowdown of the ocean currents contributes to local low saline concentrations of the seawater. A side effect is the extreme rising of the sea level in certain places.

Human Intervention in the Earth’s Surface

Clearing forests can have a double effect. On the one hand, it can increase the reflective power of the area. Indeed, the cutting of a forest has a cooling effect on the soil. On the other hand, plants and trees through evaporation have a cooling effect. Removing them will ultimately result in a warming up of the soil.

Clearing forests results in the formation of deserts. A lowering of the total amount of vegetation leads to reduced uptake of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, and lower emission of oxygen.

Cities are major contributors to the warming up of the earth. According to some scientists, cities contribute some 75% to the effects. The largest contributors are transportation and the construction of buildings.

Conclusions

Global warming is a complex process, and the last word has not been said about this. It is interesting that thanks to the rise in the earth’s temperature, scientists have discovered and investigated many other processes.

We still need to take the formation of greenhouse gases seriously. The discovery of these other factors has shown the complexity of our planet. It raises the question: To what extent can the earth counteract or recover from the damage humans are doing?