Fresh Air. The Scent of Pine.
Solar Influence
The Monthly Climate: March 2011
In Brief March 2011 began with a major setback to improving NASA climate observation capabilities with the launch failure of the Glory satellite. Intended to improve both solar monitoring and aerosol impacts on global climate, Glory suffered a fate similar to its 2009 predecessor, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO), which also experienced a launch … Continue reading
National Research Council: Advancing the Science of Climate Change
This is not about a belief. This is about evidence. This is about observations. This is about an accumulated body of knowledge that tells us something about the way the world is working. We are having a huge footprint on the planet. – Dr. Pamela A. MatsonChair, The Panel on Advancing the Science of Climate … Continue reading
Should The Earth Be Cooling?
Current Climate Running Against the Grain When considering whether or not the human influence on the Earth’s climate is discernible, one of the immediate questions that comes to mind is, “What would the climate be doing in the absence of human interference?” Indeed all climate models strive to identify the impact of natural mechanisms as … Continue reading
State of the Climate, Indicators of Change
As the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen gets into full swing, it’s a good time to take a look around and assess the current state of things. In the 30 years of direct satellite observation… Solar irradiance has declined (Source: PMOD/WRC) which should drive temperatures down, and we are currently in the middle … Continue reading
New Study Challenges Cosmic Ray Theory
Those skeptical of the theory of anthropogenic global warming often point to the sun as the source of modern era planetary warming. The reasoning is two-pronged. The argument goes that increases in solar activity increase the amount of heat received by the Earth. However, as this is insufficient to explain the recent warming trend, this … Continue reading
A Closer Look: Warming on Mars
Isn’t Mars experiencing global warming as well? To answer a question with a question, does it matter? If Mars is experiencing warming on a global scale, the only reason to discuss it alongside planetary warming on Earth is to attribute both warming trends to a common source, namely the Sun. However, as discussed in the … Continue reading
A Closer Look: The Solar Influence
Isn’t the Sun driving current climate change? Last updated: February 9, 2009 No. Perhaps a better question would be, “Is the Sun contributing to current climate change?” In that case, the answer would be yes. The Sun goes through a 22-year cycle consisting of two 11-year components. At the end of each of these 11-year … Continue reading
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The Indicators
Climate Change Indicators
Global Temperature
Global Sea Level
Arctic Ice Melt
Glacial Retreat
Atmospheric CO2 Level
Fresh Air. The Scent of Pine. 