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The Global Carbon Cycle and Climate Change

Perspectives on Climate Change: Science, Economics, Politics, Ethics

ISBN: 978-0-76231-271-9, eISBN: 978-1-84950-386-0

Publication date: 1 January 2005

Abstract

A variety of gases, including water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), add to the radiative forcing of Earth's atmosphere, meaning that they absorb certain wavelengths of infrared radiation (heat) that is leaving the Earth and thus raise the temperature of its atmosphere. Since glass has the same effect on the loss of heat from a greenhouse, these gases are known as “greenhouse” gases. It is fortunate that these gases are found in the atmosphere; without its natural greenhouse effect, Earth's temperature would be below the freezing point, and all waters on its surface would be ice. However, for the past 100 years or so, the concentrations of CO2, CH4, and N2O in the atmosphere have been rising as a result of human activities. An increase in the radiative forcing of Earth's atmosphere is destined to cause global warming, superimposed on the natural climate cycles that have characterized Earth's history.

Citation

Schlesinger, W.H. (2005), "The Global Carbon Cycle and Climate Change", Sinnott-Armstrong, W. and Howarth, R.B. (Ed.) Perspectives on Climate Change: Science, Economics, Politics, Ethics (Advances in the Economics of Environmental Resources, Vol. 5), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 31-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1569-3740(05)05002-9

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited