Modern climate change

Time out for some equations

Global temperatures are determined by a balance between the incoming and outgoing radiation at the top of the atmosphere. On average, 30% of the incoming solar radiation is reflected back to space. The remaining 70% provides heat for the earth's surface. In turn, the surface heats up and emits longwave radiation in order to keep its temperature at equilibrium.



You can calculate the radiative equilibrium temperature by solving for T in the equation below:


Next page   -> modern climate change, continued

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