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Atmospheric CO2: principal control knob governing Earth's temperature
Andrew A Lacis1, Gavin A Schmidt, David Rind
1NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, 2880 Broadway, New York, NY 10025, USA. andrew.a.lacis@nasa.gov
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|October 16, 2010
Summary
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most crucial greenhouse gas, essential for maintaining Earth's temperature. Without CO2 and other noncondensing gases, the planet would freeze.
Area of Science:
- Climate Science
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Earth System Science
Background:
- Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are critical for regulating Earth's temperature.
- Water vapor, while abundant, is a condensing gas and acts as a feedback, not a primary driver.
- Noncondensing GHGs provide the foundational warming necessary for water vapor to remain in the atmosphere.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the primary role of carbon dioxide (CO2) as the most significant climate-relevant greenhouse gas.
- To explain the physical mechanisms differentiating CO2 from water vapor in atmospheric temperature regulation.
- To highlight the essential contribution of noncondensing GHGs to the terrestrial greenhouse effect.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of physical evidence regarding atmospheric gas properties.
- Examination of radiative forcing contributions from different greenhouse gases.
- Assessment of feedback processes involving water vapor and clouds.
Main Results:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) is identified as the single most important climate-relevant greenhouse gas.
- Unlike water vapor, CO2 does not precipitate out of the atmosphere at current temperatures.
- Noncondensing GHGs, including CO2, account for 25% of the greenhouse effect and stabilize atmospheric conditions.
Conclusions:
- The radiative forcing from CO2 and other noncondensing GHGs is indispensable for maintaining Earth's current climate.
- Without these gases, the Earth's greenhouse effect would diminish, leading to a frozen planet.
- CO2's noncondensing nature is key to its role in sustaining the climate system.
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