Global Warming Session at HTC

The Discovery of and Physical Basis for Global Warming

Dr. Tom Schmugge

What is the greenhouse effect? And why is the increase of CO2 so important? We will address these questions in this talk. As the Earth orbits the Sun it is in energy balance between the incoming solar radiation and its own thermal radiation. To maintain this balance the Earth is radiating at an effective temperature of -18° C (0° F) which is too cold, the atmosphere serves as a greenhouse enabling the surface to be about 33° C (59° F) warmer. The principal atmospheric gases, which contribute to this greenhouse effect, are water vapor and carbon dioxide (CO2).

File: schmugge_talk2_19_10.pdf