Unsettling the settled: simple musings on the complex climatic system
Overview
Paper Summary
This study challenges the conventional understanding of the greenhouse effect, arguing that the Earth's atmosphere doesn't function like a greenhouse and that water vapor is the primary driver of atmospheric warming, not carbon dioxide. The authors propose replacing "greenhouse gas" with "radiatively active gas" and "greenhouse effect" with "atmospheric radiative effect." However, they rely on theoretical arguments and reinterpretation of existing data, without presenting new empirical findings to support their claims. They also assume isothermal atmosphere at equilibrium, contradicting observed atmospheric conditions.
Explain Like I'm Five
This paper argues that the Earth's atmosphere isn't like a greenhouse and that water vapor, not carbon dioxide, is the main driver of the atmospheric radiative effect, similar to what scientist John Tyndall found in 1865.
Possible Conflicts of Interest
None identified.
Identified Limitations
Rating Explanation
While the paper raises some interesting points about the role of water vapor, its flawed methodology, oversimplifications, unrealistic assumptions, and biased presentation significantly undermine its scientific validity. The lack of new empirical evidence and dismissal of established climate science without strong justification lower its rating.
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