Back radiation versus CO2 as the cause of climate change. Issue 7 (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lightfoot, H Douglas; Mamer, Orval A
• Is Part Of: Energy & environment. Volume 28:Issue 7(2017)
• Page Start: 661
• Page End: 672
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: Back radiation -- water vapour -- carbon dioxide -- CO2 -- sun angle -- downwelling; Power resources -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Energy policy -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Ressources énergétiques; Politique énergétique; Energy policy -- Environmental aspects; Power resources; Power resources -- Environmental aspects; Renewable energy sources; Periodicals; 333.7
• DOI: 10.1177/0958305X17722790
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-305X

Abstract

Robust scientific evidence shows the sun angle controls water vapour content of the atmosphere, the main component of back radiation, as it cycles annually. Water vapour content measured as the ratio of the number of water molecules to CO2 molecules varies from 1:1 near the Poles to 97:1 in the Tropics. The effect of back radiation on Earth's atmosphere is up to 200 times larger than that of CO2 and works in the opposite direction. Thus, if CO2 has any effect on atmospheric temperature and climate change we show it is negligible. Consequently, current government policies to control atmospheric temperature by limiting consumption of fossil fuels will have negligible effect. Measured data reported in IPCC report Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis ( AR5 ) indicate increased water vapour content of the atmosphere is the cause of the 0.5℃ temperature increase from the mid-1970s to 2011.