Great Post! Never thought of it that way! I’m not a climatologist but know a bit about planetary science and atmospheric modelling. I would like one of the global warming whackos to prove to me that a gas...any gas, can be an insulator (greenhouse gas). Then I would ask them to prove how other planets in our solar SYSTEM, yes it is a system (I’m sure they’re confused by that), effected our climate in the time periods they compare as proof of global warming, and then compare that effect to the present gravitation effects!
Without carbon dioxide mean global temperature would be something like 18 F. Thank God for CO2.
“Greenhouse effect” is a misleading term. Greenhouses act by reducing convective cooling. “Greenhouse” gases convert normal IR radiation emitted by the surface of the earth to heat, and thereby shift the equilibrium temperature of the troposphere higher. Most of the absorption takes place in the upper troposphere. With or without additional “anthropogenic” CO2 effectively all of the IR emitted by the surface will be absorbed. More CO2 means it is absorbed closer to the surface.
The important questions are how much of a shift in the surface equilibrium temperature will occur, and what the consequences are.
A first order answer to the first question is simple physics, and it indicates that a doubling of CO2 will result in approximately 0.5 degree F of surface warming. In order to get a bigger number, +1 C, +5 C, +yourguessisasgoodasanybodies, alarmists posit amplification through positive feedback mechanisms. These feedbacks have not been observed and some (Roy Spence) believe that the evidence indicates that the feedbacks are slightly negative, reducing the first order effects. YMMV.
The answer to the second question, “what are the consequences?” is not easy to answer. There are likely to be winners and losers, but on net, a warmer world is probably a happier world. IOW, the current mean world temperatures are sub-optimal.
An often overlooked side benefit of enriched CO2 is more and better plant growth. The earth is becoming more verdant.
I would like one of the global warming whackos to prove to me that a gas...any gas, can be an insulator (greenhouse gas).
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I’ve asked this repeatedly and never received an answer....not just not a good answer...any answer. They look at me like I am demented. Then, I want to know where is the roof of the greenhouse? Atmosphere goes all the way up to the vacuum of space. There is, for example, thinner air with less oxygen in Boulder, CO. People need breathing equipment to climb the highest Himalayas. Is that because it’s pure CO2 up there? (cue innocent, wide-eyed expression). If so, why doesn’t the CO2 hold in the O2? Seriously. I want to know.
All the warmists can do is parrot talking points. People who know a subject can explain it in the simplest terms to anyone and do so quickly.