How about a little science!
Our planet earth (ours as in all of humanity, not just the small patch we legally own) is controlled by many physical forces. Not all of us fully understand the “Magic” that is our world.
In the past humans had “Gods” who dictated their lives – these entities were fashioned from the various physical properties of the world around them. Rain, Sun, Wind, Seas, Terrain, etc. When the Earth changed – humans thought it was an almighty being causing the changes.
Today, many humans believe in themselves as the center of the Universe. This belief helps drive many thoughts about what causes change to our planet.
Simple basics of the Sun, Earth, and our Temperature:
The Sun is the main source of energy for our planet (Yes we could use physical or chemical properties to create energy such as nuclear power, sea power, wind power) – but these are very minimal compared to the energy the sun provides our planet.
Our sun creates nuclear fusion of proton particles at a rate of 620 million metric tons of hydrogen per second. (not your average cigar lighter is it?) The estimated surface temperature of the sun is a mere 5200 degrees C. Our climate starts from the sun. Radiation in the form of what we call light is electromagnetic waves leaving the sun and traveling across space towards earth. The Earth receives about 342 watts per square meter and is called “insolation.”
Earth does not absorb all of the Sun’s radiation because the earth actually reflects a portion of this light through “albedo” or reflection off of clouds, snow, ice packs, deserts, etc.
BUT – if the insolation and albedo were the only factors – the Earth would be about -18 degrees C – which is much colder than our world really is (Oceans average 15 degrees C – ie. not frozen)
So – what is causing our planet to be warmer than basic sun light gives us? – The answer is related to the electromagnetic spectrum of light. Light energy is absorbed by different types of gases. This over time and experiment became known as “Greenhouse Gases” – carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, etc. With differing levels of these gases, different amounts of the suns radiation is absorbed in the atmosphere and not reaching the surface of the planet.
A curious note on this is the fact that a warmer atmosphere holds more water vapor, which is a powerful greenhouse gas, but instead of changing temperature if amplifies the climate changes in the form of more rain/storms, faster temperature variable, and greater snowfalls.
Now our atmosphere is 99% Oxygen and Nitrogen – which leaves little room for other gases. Another interesting aspect is aerosols, I remember when we were told don’t use aerosols as you are causing greenhouse gases. The fact is aerosols do the opposite, they don’t absorb heat they reflect is like albedo and cool the planet. (Hmm, where’s my hair spray can now?) Actually aerosols are mostly in the form of dust and microscopic liquids that are ejected into the atmosphere from things such as volcano eruptions.
The above science is nice and is used to explain how our planet is heating up. But there is something missing from the discussion. Electromagnetism!
The Earth’s magnetic field called the magnetosphere deflects most of the solar energy particle radiation from the sun. This energy from the sun is in the form of hot gasses we call the “solar wind” If not for the magnetic field, these hot gases would incinerate our planet.
The magnetic force called “Lorentz Force” helps push the hot gases from the sun around our planet! Thus, we must realize that the Magnetic Forces of our planet are the real controller of energy reaching the planet while the Greenhouse Effect has variability on climate patterns.
There is a physical science to why we have a magnetic field – but to understand how it may affect our climate, we must realize the magnetic field is not permanently stable. Scientists have been able to measure historical magnetic field changes and there have been over 170 Polarity Reversals in the past 76 million years (an important time due to considering the planet dealt with the Cretaceous-extinction event killing off most life on the planet)
What is the Polarity Reversal? – First the concept is what helps prove the theory of continental drift or the floating of Earths crust over the molten planet. But more importantly, the changes in the polarity show that the magnetic fields around the earth do change over time. The basics are that our magnetic flow around the planet reverses field, where one side attracts the other rejects, back and forth. And during the period between reversals – the magnetic field decreases in strength.
Now look at this – the time between reversals is about 300,000 years but last recorded reversal was 770,000 years ago. The magnetic field has been decreasing ever since this period. Until the poles reverse, the magnetic field will continue to decrease in strength allowing more of the Suns gases to reach earth and provide added energy.
To sum up our story – The Earth is warmed by the Sun. The sun’s radiation is absorbed by the planets surface and atmosphere. The sun also emits gasses that don’t reach our planet due to the electromagnetic force of the planet.
Two things to consider – first, if the atmosphere absorbs more radiation the climate of the planet will change due to increased energy and the physical forces of wind and rain/snow, and second, if the electromagnetism of the planet continues to decrease, the suns emitted gas energy will reach the planet and cause heating.
So, let me ask you – do you think Humans are causing the planet to warm? – Or do you think Earth and our Solar System are causing the planet to warm? You decide who is more powerful – Humans – or the Sun?
Sources:
https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/mesozoic/cretaceous/cretaceous.php
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/solar-energy/
https://image.gsfc.nasa.gov/poetry/tour/AAmag.html
Southern Cajun Catholic Gentleman 