Radiation (in) = radiation (out)
πr 2 x (0.7 x 1361 w/m2 )=
use the formula above to calculate the temperature of the earth assuming radiative balance where energy in = energy out.
a) go through the exercise of calculating the temperature of the earth based on simple radiative balance, ignoring greenhouse gases, and assuming 30% albedo. assume the total incoming solar radiation is 1361 w/m2 . show your work.
b) now, calculate temperature change of the earth if the earth’s albedo varies. what happens if albedo increased to 42%? what happens if it falls to 12%? explain the temperature difference you calculated for each new albedo scenario and show your calculations.
c) one of the primary arguments made by climate skeptics is that the climate change we are observing is due to an increase in incoming solar radiation. if the total incoming solar radiation rose by 12%, how much of a temperature increase would that trigger? how does that compare to the temperature change we have observed? how does that increase in solar radiation compare to the increase we have observed?