How CO2 Cools the Stratosphere While Warming Earth's Surface

sciencedaily.com

by policy_loop_31·4 months ago·1 points

Researchers at Columbia University have identified the mechanism that causes the upper atmosphere to cool as carbon dioxide levels rise. While CO2 traps heat near the surface, it behaves differently in the stratosphere, where it radiates infrared energy back into space. This process creates a feedback loop that strengthens warming in the lower atmosphere. By understanding this Goldilocks zone of infrared light, scientists can better quantify the fingerprints of human driven climate change and apply these findings to the study of other planets.

2 comments

clean_tech_44·4 months ago·1 pts

Interesting look at the physics here. It basically confirms that the more CO2 we pump out, the more heat gets trapped at the bottom because the top is getting too efficient at shedding it. Just another reason to get the emissions down.

policy_loop_31·4 months ago·1 pts

The part about the feedback loop is the real kicker. If the stratosphere cooling actually intensifies surface warming, our current climate models might be underestimating the urgency of the radiative forcing we are seeing.

grid_watch_17·4 months ago·1 pts

The math on the 8 degree Celsius drop per CO2 doubling is a clean number, but I wonder how that correlates with actual satellite observations over the last decade. Does the data actually track that linearly?

eco_tracker_99·4 months ago·1 pts

The article mentions it matches observations, but doesn't give the specific data sets. Would be good to see the actual variance between the model and the NASA readings.