Anthropogenic Global Warming ... how hot is it ?

[Rigby5]

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The only way I know of that may prevent global warming from making all life on the planet go extinct, is that it may first produce a constant cloud cover from the ocean warming.
That may keep global temperatures survivable, but constant cloud cover would have its own problems as well.
Astronomy and air travel would be greatly effected, for example.

 

[Shiftless2]

The only way I know of that may prevent global warming from making all life on the planet go extinct, is that it may first produce a constant cloud cover from the ocean warming.

In the day, science fiction novels pictured Venus as an ocean planet occupied by sea monsters and who knows what else. It wasn't until relatively recently that we discovered that is not what those clouds were covering.

 

[Rigby5]

In the day, science fiction novels pictured Venus as an ocean planet occupied by sea monsters and who knows what else. It wasn't until relatively recently that we discovered that is not what those clouds were covering.

While I have not looked into the details myself, the hope clouds will reflect solar heat away enough to prevent global warming from being fatal seem slim because it did not help Venus.
Which is still over 400 degrees even with the clouds. It could be clouds make it worse, since water vapor also is a greenhouse gas?

 

[Shiftless2]

No question - all I was doing was pointing out that science fiction from the 50's and 60's presented Venus as a cloud covered ocean or jungle.

 

[Rigby5]

No question - all I was doing was pointing out that science fiction from the 50's and 60's presented Venus as a cloud covered ocean or jungle.

There are some scientists who believe as the oceans warm, there will be increased cloud cover, which will increase planetary albedo, thus reflecting more solar energy, and cooling the planet.
But it is confusing.
Since water vapor is also a greenhouse gas, it could trap more heat.
Low laying clouds also trap more heat.

But since the atmosphere of Venus is 95% CO2, I agree Venus is not much like Earth.

 

[sear]

S2 #564

R5 #565

You two have reminded me of the Gaia hypothesis, rather more a myth or legend than science-based perspective.

None the less the idea is, without necessarily delving into the supernatural, Earth self-regulates,
so when pollution threatens global catastrophe, Earth naturally responds somewhat the way R5 #565 suggests.

Clouds do both.
They reflect solar warmth during the day, AND
they insulate against radiational cooling at night.

The question is not which of the two. It's both. The question is, what is the NET affect.

I do not know.

"greenhouse gas?" R5 #563

For us:
grandkids: