Scientists Say Global Warming Slows Earth's Spin

Duluth News Tribune ^ | 13 Feb 02 | Seth Borenstein

[johniegrad]

WASHINGTON -- Feeling like the day is dragging? Blame global warming.

Increased man-made carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, a global warming gas, is slowing the Earth's rotation, according to a new study by Belgian scientists published Tuesday in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

It's not much of a slowdown -- about 1.7 microsecond or 1.7 millionth of one second a year, according to co-author Michel Crucifix, a climate researcher at Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium.

The slowdown occurs because extra carbon dioxide expands the mass of the Earth's atmosphere from the Earth's surface. The change slows the Earth's rotation for the same reason that the spins of ice skaters slow when they extend their arms.

Crucifix's findings were based on runs of 14 different computer models.

Even without global warming, Earth has been slowing, mostly because the gravitational pull of the moon has been acting as a brake. Keepers of the master clock at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington generally add a leap second to official time every 12 to 18 months to compensate, said observatory spokesman Geoff Chester.

The effects of lunar braking plus global warming add up to this: A day in 2002 is about .002 seconds longer than it was in 1900, Chester said.

Not that you'd notice.

If you're banking on getting an extra minute of sleep, it'll be an extra 3 million years before you see that,'' Chester said.

[johniegrad]

Maybe if we discharge enough greenhouse gases, the earth will slow to the point where we will all live longer lives. But if that takes too long, I'd be satisfied knowing that I could at least keep it up for a few more minutes.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I suppose the study had an error rate of plus or minus 5 percent, eh ?

[TADSLOS]

It's not much of a slowdown -- about 1.7 microsecond or 1.7 millionth of one second a year</>

It'll never counter balance the liberal spin that creates this garbage at that rate.

[Number_Cruncher]

But all the windmills will slow the wind down, causing the solid Earth to speed up to conserve angular momentum. They forgot that.

[steveo]

Everybody get out and push.

[2banana]

The earth may spin faster on its axis due to deforestation. Just as a figure skater's rate of spin increases when the arms are brought in close to the body, the cutting of tall trees may cause our planet to spin dangerously fast.

[Khepera]

Actually we could compensate for this by having people driving east all put on their brakes at the same time.

[erikm88]

I guess we as a human race ought to stop breathing in order for the earth to spin faster eh?

[techcor]

Warm the earth, I want to get off.

[cid89]

They lost me we add a second every 18 months but it takes 3 million years to gain a minute. Doesn't compute. I know they are talking about just due to global warming but it shows that they didn't really think about the numbers.

[dalereed]

The earth has been slowing down since it's beginning, it's called gravitational pull, at least that what was taught before they invented environmental whackos.

[The Westerner]

I think you made a mistake, kid. This should've been posted under humor.

[patriot_wes]

Spock.....as soon as it comes to a stop, kick these suckers off!

[skateman]

I knew I have been feeling lighter!

[Uncle George]

And just think, if it slows too much we will all have to wear anchors to keep us on the ground huh?

[Doomonyou]

The earth may spin faster on its axis due to deforestation. Just as a figure skater's rate of spin increases when the arms are brought in close to the body, the cutting of tall trees may cause our planet to spin dangerously fast.

Well according to these bozo's the earth is still slowing down, We better start cutting down more trees!

[counterrevolutionary]

Perhaps the UN should contract James Carville and Paul Begala to increase the amount of spin.

[ao98]

Even without global warming, Earth has been slowing, mostly because the gravitational pull of the moon has been acting as a brake. Keepers of the master clock at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington generally add a leap second to official time every 12 to 18 months to compensate, said observatory spokesman Geoff Chester.

This is a lie. The leap second is not added because the earth is slowing. It is added because the year is not excactly 365-1/4 days long. The leap second is to compensate.

[ValerieUSA]

Don't forget the hamsters running in their wheels.

[Psycho_Bunny]

Man...this article is so funny, in and of itself, I can't think of anything to add.