Tag: climate controls

Excerpt from the Southwest Climate Change Network, written by Zack Guido, University of Arizona

Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor are naturally part of the Earth’s atmosphere. These gases act as powerful amplifiers of temperature, helping elevate the average temperature in the lower atmosphere to a comfortable 60° Fahrenheit. Without greenhouse gases, the average near-surface conditions would be cold enough to freeze water, at approximately 0°F.

The greenhouse gas effect functions by trapping in the …

Excerpt from the Southwest Climate Change Network, written by Zack Guido, University of Arizona

There are many feedback mechanisms in the climate system that moderate the magnitude of climate change. Positive feedbacks incite continued change, while negative feedbacks halt change. With respect to temperature, positive feedbacks tend to amplify warming, while negative feedbacks suppress it. Figure 1 illustrates two important feedback loops that moderate the climate. These feedbacks contribute to uncertainties in future climate change and make pinpointing the …