
(Image from sci.esa.int)
So says a just-published scientific experiment verifying that cosmic rays and sunspots, not human activities, cause global warming. The article was published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society Journal and written up in the British Telegraph, here. It is also described in a book coming out this week, The Chilling Stars, here.
It shows that the more cosmic rays from exploding stars that reach Earth's atmosphere, the more cloud cover. That is because droplets of water gather on the particles, forming into clouds. When more cosmic rays reach earth, there is more cloud cover and the climate is colder. When fewer cosmic rays reach the earth, there are fewer clouds and the climate is warmer. The clouds cause climate change, rather than climate change causing the clouds, says weather scientist, Henrik Svensmark, who led the team behind the 5-year research project.
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How does the sun affect that? When sun is more active, its rays push the cosmic rays away from the Earth. Then fewer clouds are formed and the Earth warms. When the sun is less active, more cosmic rays reach the Earth, more clouds are formed, and the Earth cools.
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Scientists know that we have been going through a high level of sun activity since during the 20th century, which has leveled off at that high level. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute in Germany noted that the sunspot activity has reached a 1000-year high, here.
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Dr. Habibullo Abdussamatov, head of the space research laboratory at the Pulkovo Observatory in St. Petersburg, Russia says scientists are confusing cause and effect. That it is not increases in CO2 that is warming the earth. Rather, as the sun warms the earth, the oceans release more CO2. The warming causes more CO2 in the atmosphere, not the reverse. He also points to the evidence of global warming on Mars. "Since there are no people on Mars, it's clear that the warming here and there is due to the sun," he said, here.
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Now "a team of more than 60 scientists from around the world will conduct a large-scale experiment using a particle accelerator in Geneva, Switzerland, to replicate the effect of cosmic rays hitting the atmosphere." It if proves they are responsible for changing the cloud cover, "it could force climate scientists to re-evaluate their ideas about how global warming occurs."
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Still, warming periods have been better for humans than cooling periods. We are better off when the globe is warmer.
I can't believe you believe this.
Posted by: ~c. | February 17, 2007 at 06:42 PM
Thanks for commenting.
I would just say that it's not anyone's beliefs that matter in this case. The evidence is what matters. And the scientific evidence is mixed, rather than all going in one direction.
The evidence seems to be that the earth has been warming for about 150 years. What is not at all certain is that the human race had anything to do with that.
More time is needed to work that out before we take drastic measures. Those measures are so expensive that the world economy could take a big turn downward.
When the U.S. economy turns down, the world economy turns down even more. The huge U.S. economy is the 'driver' behind the prosperity of much of the rest of the world.
When the world economy takes a downturn, the poor suffer first, and the most. Most especially in the poorer countries. Their suffering would be far greater than any gains we might get from taking such drastic, expensive measures. So we need to really be sure we get this right.
Besides, warming periods have been kinder to the human race than colder ones. They are not to be feared. We have been through them before and know pretty much what to expect. We only have to look at the last warming period, 1000-1300, which was much better than the 500 cold years that followed from 1300-1850.
Some scientists who watch sunspots are concerned, however, that this warming cycle is almost over and a colder period is not far away. That would be a much bigger problem.
We need a longer, more open debate on this question. Closing our minds on it too soon, before a better look at the evidence, is not what we need. And we do not need to start huge, drastic programs until we know more about the facts.
Thanks for taking time to comment.
Gerry
Posted by: Gerry Charlotte Phelps | February 18, 2007 at 12:32 AM
Excellent summary of the relevant science! May I also recommend the excellent BBC video at http://tinyurl.com/34jq4x
Posted by: Richard Schulman | March 15, 2007 at 06:12 PM
I apreciate that you have done this research but I've been researching Global warming for some time now and have looked at alot of evidence from different sources for different sources. In my opinion, and in many other leading climateologist's Global Warming is being caused by an increase in Green house gasses caused mostly by Humans.
I'm afraid to say that you are simply in denial. I know it's scary and overwhelming but you need to face up to it. We can stop climate change we just have to act now and act fast!
Posted by: ms hat | April 18, 2009 at 04:42 PM
I just realised that when I posted that comment it gave the impression that I am a leading climateologist, I am not. However many leading climateologist do believe the views I expressed in my previous message. sorry for any inconvenience. Ms Hat
Posted by: Ms Hat | April 18, 2009 at 04:53 PM
Thanks for commenting Ms. Hat.
The problem is that while many climatologists accept your views, many do not - including some of the best. With such division, rushing ahead is not indicated.
Posted by: Gerry Charlotte Phelps | April 22, 2009 at 08:33 AM