The greenhouse effect live

2001/03/15 Carton Virto, Eider - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Astronautika
• Ingurumena

The news has been published today in the journal Nature and researchers have not based, as so far, the increase of the greenhouse effect on the consequences derived from climate models, but on satellite observations. The data obtained by two satellites orbiting the Earth in 1970 and 1997 have compared those recorded and have undoubtedly indicated that the current greenhouse effect is due to gas emissions. John Harris, head of the research, explained that "satellite spectroscopic data show that spectral changes during these 27 years are related to greenhouse gases."

Researchers have studied high-wavelength infrared spectrum and found that levels of methane, carbon dioxide, ozone and some chlorofluorocarbons have increased considerably. A particular Pacific region has been analyzed, but the results are repeated around the world.

Although the data has been collected by two different satellites over a 27-year interval, the researcher has ensured that the research is valid, as all factors have been measured in comparison. According to them, only greenhouse gas emissions can explain the change in recent years.

The next step will be to see if this data can be used to explain cloud behavior. Dr. Harris insists on the need to analyze whether satellite data conforms to models used to analyze climate change, as they are the existing tool for predicting climate change and determining the forces that cause it, and it is essential that they be as accurate as possible. In short, because many scientific and political decisions will be made based on their predictions.