Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to Lies, Opinions and a Few Facts about AGW

re: Lies, Opinions and a Few Facts about AGW
gbaikie — (archived)

"According to data I've seen, atmospheric water vapor accounts for approximately 0-4% of Earth's atmosphere. There is more water vapor over the tropics than over the poles, so this number is often rounded to 1%. Atmospheric CO2, by contrast, accounts for approximately 0.0360%. Granted, on days when atmospheric H20 reaches zero over a pole, then CO2 would temporarily surpass H20 as the most significant greenhouse gas at that locale for however long all the water (vapor) remained frozen. Obviously, for most of the planet most of the time, most water vapor is not frozen and remains in the atmosphere. If you want to quibble over that point, and call me a liar for making it, then feel free, but realize it does little for your own credibility. "

Anyone that know anything about theory of CO2 causing global warming knows that CO2 is only a small component
of the greenhouse affect. And that water vapor comprises
more than 90% of the greenhouse affect.
Of course some people at this board don't appear to be aware of this aspect of the theory- or simply think mentioning this obvious fact doesn't help their religion is some way.

But it is constantly repeated that a doubling of CO2 levels
is thought to increase global warming by about 1 C.
So, going from 280 ppm to 560 ppm of CO2 is "suppose to"
cause an increase in global temperature by 1 C.
But it's imagined that such a rise in global temperature is
suppose to "force" other increases in greenhouse gases, namely water vapor. It is this forcing idea that makes some of the priests think a doubling of CO2 will cause 2 to 5 C [or more] increase in global temperature. Other less balanced priests simply run around screaming "Runaway affect, runaway affect, we are doomed".

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