Rising global temperatures and sea levels result from intricate factors, with a focus on certainty hindering effective climate action. Historical scientific approaches emphasized observation-based hypotheses, while modern methods often prioritize model alignment with observations. A recent study revealed that water vapor accounts for 80% of the 1.5-degree rise in global temperatures, while carbon dioxide only contributes 11%. Water vapor acts as a significant greenhouse gas, affecting climate change at a rate much higher than carbon dioxide. Understanding the complexities of the water cycle is crucial for effective climate science and meteorology.
The world we have created is a product of our thinking; it cannot be changed without changing our thinking.
Decision-makers seek certainty to justify the extraordinary costs of addressing climate change. They want models that predict the extent of future impacts and to know how much time remains to act.
Rising carbon dioxide emissions were responsible for approximately 0.2 degrees of the 1.5-degree increase, accounting for about 11%. Water vapor caused 1,2 degrees, 80%, of increased global temperatures.
Water vapor in the atmosphere acts as a heat reservoir, warming the planet and driving climate change at a rate eight times that of carbon dioxide emissions.
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