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Yes, carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major cause of global warming
.
Here's why:
1. CO2 is a greenhouse gas:
2. Human activities have increased CO2 concentrations:
- CO2 absorbs and re-emits infrared radiation, trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere, similar to how glass traps heat in a greenhouse.
- This natural process, known as the greenhouse effect, is essential for maintaining a habitable temperature on Earth.
3. Increased CO2 amplifies the greenhouse effect:
- The burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), deforestation, and industrial processes release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere.
- Atmospheric CO2 concentrations are now significantly higher than pre-industrial levels.
4. Scientific consensus:
- Higher CO2 concentrations mean more heat is trapped, leading to a rise in global average temperatures.
- This enhanced greenhouse effect is the primary driver of the current global warming trend.
In summary: Increased CO2 from human activities enhances the Earth's natural greenhouse effect, trapping more heat and causing global warming.
- Multiple lines of evidence and a vast body of scientific research confirm the link between increased CO2 and global warming.
- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a leading international body for assessing the science related to climate change, concludes that it is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land.
- Climate Change: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide
Climate Change: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide * Each year, human activities release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than natural processes can remove, caus...
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Climate.gov Home
- FAQ: Carbon Dioxide and Climate Change
Carbon dioxide accounts for two-thirds of the global warming currently caused by human activities, with other compounds such as methane, nitrous oxide, halocarb...
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Scripps Institution of Oceanography |
- The greenhouse effect - British Geological Survey
Greenhouse gases. ... A greenhouse gas is called that because it absorbs infrared radiation from the Sun in the form of heat, which is circulated in the atmosph...
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BGS - British Geological Survey
CO2 absorbs and re-emits infrared radiation, trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere, similar to how glass traps heat in a greenhouse.
Some Google "Searches" LINKS and results: [Links removed to meet the 5000 character limit]
"CO2 absorption bands"
Carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbs infrared (IR) radiation around 15 μm and 4.3 μm, which are key to the greenhouse effect.
"atmospheric window microns"
The atmospheric window is located between approximately 8 and 13 micrometers (μm).
"What is the temperature of a black body that radiates at 4.3 microns?"
Answer 674K (750°F)
"What is the temperature of a black body that radiates at 8 microns"
Answer 362.25K (192°F)
"What is the temperature of a black body that radiates at 15 microns?"
Answer 193.2K (-112°F)
"What is the temperature of dry ice in kelvin?"
Answer 194.7 K (-109°F)
Hmm Google AI says, "15 μm and 4.3 μm, are key to the greenhouse effect."
And Google AI says, "The primary atmospheric window for infrared radiation is located between approximately 8 and 13 μm."
So CO2 Frames the Atmospheric Window between the temperatures of a Pizza Oven and a Brick of Dry Ice. Comment: First time I've seen CO2's 4.3 μm band discussed as part of the greenhouse effect.
One has to wonder how much Pizza Oven & Dry Ice temperatures exist on the surface to radiate upwards.