CO 2 NOT Cause of Global Warming
Green Hope
recent climate changes have a natural梐nd not a human-induced?cause,
according to one scientist's controversial theory.
Earth is currently experiencing rapid warming, which the vast majority
of climate scientists says is due to humans pumping huge amounts of
greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. (Get an overview: "Global
Warming Fast Facts".) New Mars Pictures Show Signs of Watery
"Aquifers" (February 16, 2007) ?br>
Mars, too, appears to be enjoying more mild and balmy temperatures.
In 2005 data from NASA's Mars Global Surveyor and Odyssey missions
revealed that the carbon dioxide "ice caps" near Mars's south pole had
been diminishing for three summers in a row.
Habibullo Abdussamatov, head of the St. Petersburg's Pulkovo
Astronomical Observatory in Russia, says the Mars data is evidence
that the current global warming on Earth is being caused by changes in
the sun.
"The long-term increase in solar irradiance is heating both Earth and
Mars," he said.
Solar Cycles
Abdussamatov believes that changes in the sun's heat output can
account for almost all the climate changes we see on both planets.
Mars and Earth, for instance, have experienced periodic ice ages
throughout their histories.
"Man-made greenhouse warming has made a small contribution to the
warming seen on Earth in recent years, but it cannot compete with the
increase in solar irradiance," Abdussamatov said.
By studying fluctuations in the warmth of the sun, Abdussamatov
believes he can see a pattern that fits with the ups and downs in
climate we see on Earth and Mars.