Earth sweating under the 'Sauna Effect'

[n2doc]

Catherine Brahic, environment reporter

Hothouse, snowball, slushball, greenhouse - all terms that have been used to describe the various climatic state of our planet. Here's a new one: Sauna Earth.

On a wet planet like ours, warmer temperatures naturally lead to more humid conditions. And because water vapour is a powerful greenhouse gas, a more humid Earth should also be a warmer one. This is what's known as the water vapour feedback (it's what's thought to contribute to the faster-than-average warming in the Arctic).

Models and theory show it should happen, but observational data to back up the theory has been scarce. No longer.
In an article published in Science today (DOI: 10.1126/science.1171264), Andrew Dessler of Texas A&M University and Steven Sherwood of the University of New South Wales in Australia say there is now enough evidence on the table to say that for every degree of warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions, water vapour probably adds another degree.

"This process is always running, so some of the warming we have experienced over the last century is due to the water vapor feedback," says Dessler. "And models include this process, so the predictions of several degrees C warming over the next 100 years also includes warming by this feedback."

more:

http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2009/02/sauna-doubles-the-earths-tempe.html

[BOSSHOG]

1. Don't Worry

this will all be debunked tomorrow on right wing radio with irrefutable evidence.

[liberal N proud]

2. If there is global warming, why can't I see across the street for snow?

Snowing like hell here right now.


:sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm:

[n2doc]

3. Yep, and come back in July and tell me that!

That's what I always tell folks who seriously believe that a bit of cold weather negates everything....

[nocalgirl]

4. Global warming

So, does anyone think there is any creedence to this article about a faulty sensor in the north pole?

www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601110&sid=aIe9swvOqwIY

or is it just more lies?

[guardian]

5. It's all lies

For God's sake nocalgirl....that article wasn't even PEER REVIEWED. You believe that swill? The author is obviously in the pocket of big oil.

[nocalgirl]

7. Peer Review?

Do you understand guardian, what this article is about? Its about a broken measuring device. Saying this need to be "peer reviewed" is like saying we should study whether the ice pack increases or decreases when using a working sensor or a broken sensor. Like the clock that is right twice a day, I guess you could argue the ice is there only when the broken clock reads the right time. No, I am not a sock puppet, and yes I value true scientific methodical studies done well. I'm just a curious person who looks at real honest to goodness evidence, I don't react with anger when something doesn't fit my personal description of what I may be determined to think is true at all cost, even if its truly false. Go ahead people, have at me, your anger is showing... I had no idea that a simple report of a broken sensor would wreak such havoc on your Globally Warmed souls

[guardian]

8. Learn the rules

nocalgirl: You need to understand the rules on this forum for discussing Global Warming:

1. Global Warming heresy is not tolerated. Ad hominem attacks are the preferred response to any argument or question by a GW-infidel.
2. Anyone doubting the imminent, complete, planet-wide disaster is either working for Exxon, Haliburton, Enron, Heritage Foundation, is a Christian nut job, is in the personal employ of Dick Cheney, or is a complete imbecile, or all of the aforementioned.
3. Only peer reviewed articles from scientific journals will even be considered for discussion, except that all heretical writings not promoting Global Warming are to be dismissed out of hand (see Rule #2)
4. Any pro-Global Warming articles or documentaries need not be peer reviewed. Random articles supporting Global Warming TRUTH from magazines, newspapers, blogs, and especially the zenith of the repository of human scientific knowledge--Wikipedia--are to be hailed as gospel.
5. Any authors of pro-Global Warming articles or documentaries are scientific geniuses, even if their background is that of an artist, political science professor, street bum, or in a coma.
6. Any weather pattern or climatic event showing the world will NOT be a flaming inferno is a trivial or random event that means nothing.
7. Any weather pattern or climatic event showing the world WILL be a flaming inferno is conclusive proof of Global Warming.
8. The following are all conclusive proof Global Warming is a fact:
a. It is hot somewhere (especially in summer)
b. It is cold somewhere (especially in winter)
c. It rains somewhere
d. There is a drought somewhere
e. A fly dies
f. A Hollywood celebrity goes into rehab

Repeat the following to yourself 1000 times every night before bed: "I must drink the Kool-Aid." That is your only hope.

[nocalgirl]

9. Wow

thats all I'll say, because you have a mighty way of stopping discussion. I'm done, you're rid of me. (next note from guardian predictably will say 'good riddance' or some variation of that...

[Viking12]

6. So what?

Are you guardian's sock-puppet or do you have a point?

[GliderGuider]

10. Yes, it looks like there was a sensor problem

Do you ascribe any broader significance to that than the simple fact that the measurements were out of whack for a few weeks? After all, as reported in the article, "The recent error doesn’t change findings that Arctic ice is retreating, the NSIDC said."

PS: guardian is also suffering from sensor drift. You can safely exclude his readings from your data set.

[tama]

11. Wrong

What is described here is not "Sauna effect" but "Löyly effect" - 'Löyly' means the vaporizing water when thrown at the stow - hot stones. Without löyly, sauna is just (mildly) hot and arid.

The word 'löyly' means also 'breath' or 'spirit' or 'soul' in the sense of life-force.