The scientific majority believes clouds will likely have a neutral effect or even amplify global warming, perhaps strongly, but the lack of unambiguous proof has left room for dissent. Two CoEnv scientists – Christopher Bretherton, professor of atmospheric sciences, and Andreas Muhlbauer, research scientist in JISAO – are quoted. Read more here.
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James Hansen, climate scientist and activist, has updated his analysis of how the buildup of human-generated greenhouse gases is loading the climate “dice.” John Michael Wallace, professor of atmospheric sciences, is quoted. Read more here. In ancient Earth history, the sun burned as much as 30 percent dimmer than it does now. Theoretically that should have encased the planet in ice, but there is geologic evidence for rivers and ocean sediments between 2 billion and 4 billion years ago. Scientists have speculated that temperatures warm enough to maintain liquid water were the result of a much thicker atmosphere, high concentrations of greenhouse gases or a combination of the two. Now University of Washington researchers, using evidence from fossilized raindrop impressions from 2.7 billion years ago to deduce atmospheric pressure at the time, have demonstrated that an abundance of greenhouse gases most likely caused the warm temperatures. Their work, which has implications for the search for life on other planets, is published March 28 in Nature. Read more here. A new UW modeling study shows that injecting sulfate particles in the stratosphere to increase aerosol levels would not stop the effects of increased greenhouse gases. The study, authored by Atmospheric Sciences’ Kelly McCusker and others, shows that increased aerosol levels cannot balance changes in atmospheric and oceanic circulation brought on by higher levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Read more here. The new Doppler radar on Langley Hill near Copalis Beach has proved invaluable during the current winter storm, regional forecasters say. Cliff Mass, professor of atmospheric science, is quoted. Seattle’s weather in 2011 was persistently cold and clammy. Cliff Mass, professor of atmospheric sciences, is quoted in the story. New research from UW-Bothell shows that the upper atmosphere is working as a chemical reactor that transforms elemental mercury into oxidized mercury, which makes it more able to be deposited in aquatic ecosystems and, eventually, to enter the food chain. Read more here. |
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