aerosol, definition of

Greenhouse gases are those gaseous constituents of the atmosphere, both natural and anthropogenic, that absorb and emit radiation at specific wavelengths within the spectrum of thermal infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface, the atmosphere itself, and by clouds. This property causes the greenhouse effect.

Greenhouse gases are essential to maintaining the current temperature of the Earth; without them the planet would be uninhabitable.

Wikipedia Entry

• Geoengineering vs. volcanic activity for a cooler climate
  [More crazy talk from Carnegie Institute’s Ken Caldiera… Anthony] Washington, DC– Major volcanic eruptions spew ash particles into the atmosphere, which reflect some of the Sun’s radiation back into space and cool the planet...
• Another negative climate feedback: more CO2 = more plants = more aerosols = cooling
  Recall a couple of days ago that I posted on the aerosols released by trees: Those dirty trees: why hasn’t the EPA called for trees to be regulated? Now, from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis  comes a cause-effect … Continue...
• Pollution enhanced thunderstorms warm the planet?
  From the DOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, something that doesn’t make much sense to me. As shown in the diagram above, thunderstorms transport heat from the lower troposphere upwards. The heat source at the base of the atmosphere (at the...
• Spencer’s posited 1-2% cloud cover variation found
  In a nutshell, with a −1.6%per decade change in cloud cover during 1954–2005, it becomes a climate forcing. While China is not the world, it bears consideration. The Hockey Schtick reports: New paper finds significant, natural decrease in cloudiness...
• Linked: aerosol pollutants and rainfall patterns
  From the University of Maryland Rising air pollution worsens drought, flooding, UMD-led study shows COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Increases in air pollution and other particulate matter in the atmosphere can strongly affect cloud development in ways that reduce...
• The weekday -vs- weekend weather effect
  Hailstorms and tornadoes are more common during the weekday due to human created aerosols. By Dr. Roger Pielke Sr. New Paper “Why Do Tornados And Hail Storms Rest On Weekends” By Rosenfeld and Bell 2011 There is a new paper which … Continue...

Related Tags: environment