ooznb wrote:
This establishes a solar link via cosmic ray variations modulating earth's cloud cover.
23 Jun 2007
Look at the plot of earth's albedo in figure 4 at the following link .
http://bbso.njit.edu/Research/EarthS...2007_JASTP.pdf
(Irrelevant x-posts deleted)
What the paper studies is the variation of the albedo, which obviously
(even for denialists) has an impact on the amount of solar energy
reaching the earth's surface- in fact, the same impact as the normalized
GHG content, see equation (1) in the paper.
The possibility of a large change in albedo caused by icecap melting is
one good reason why GW is of concern. The reduction in albedo could
trigger a positive feedback.
Although the paper explores the possibility of a link between solar
activity and the albedo, it does not actually say in the conclusion that
this is the case:
"Thus, a possible Sun–albedo link, would have the
potential to produce large climate effects without
the need for significant excursions in solar irradi-
ance. These could provide an explanation for the
apparently large climate response to apparently
small solar changes, as well as how the 11/22 year solar
cycle is imprinted on Earth."
So - why should the possibility of a cyclic variation in the albedo
driven by the sun, which presumably has existed for eternities, be more
important in your opinion than the 40% increase in atmospheric CO2 due
to human activity?
The following can be observed
1.. Albedo decreased from 1985 and reached a minimum in 1998 (the hottest year)
This is consistent with the global warming trend over the same period.
2.. Albedo has been increasing since 1998, and this is consistent with the ten year
global cooling trend we are currently undergoing.
3.. This appears to be a complete explanation for our climatic varaitions over the last
40 years.
4.. This strongly suggests a solar link to global climate via cosmic ray variations
which modulate earth's cloud cover..
5.. There is no need for spurious explanations such as CO2.
Warmest Regards
Bonzo