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Back radiation versus CO2 as the cause of climate change

Author

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  • H Douglas Lightfoot
  • Orval A Mamer

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 CO 2 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 CO 2 and works in the opposite direction. Thus, if CO 2 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.

Suggested Citation

  • H Douglas Lightfoot & Orval A Mamer, 2017. "Back radiation versus CO2 as the cause of climate change," Energy & Environment, , vol. 28(7), pages 661-672, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:engenv:v:28:y:2017:i:7:p:661-672
    DOI: 10.1177/0958305X17722790
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