Please no politics, I'm trying to understand something here. According to what I'm reading on Wikipedia, atmospheric CO2 has increased from 280 ppm in 1750, to 395.4 ppm in "recent" times (no year given), and increase of about 41%. Looked at another way, CO2 has increased from .028% (or .00028) of the atmosphere, to .03954% (or .000395) of the atmosphere. For the sake of my question, I'm assuming that these numbers, i.e. the increase in CO2 since 1750, are correct.
The questions I have are as follows: Is there a threshold at which the "greenhouse effect" is increased or decreased by the presence or absence of a particular gas? In other words, would 1 part per million of CO2 in the atmosphere raise the surface temperature of the earth by a theoretical or measurable amount, or is a certain atmospheric concentration required before effects are seen?
I realize that the greenhouse effect exists and helps to keep the earth as temperate as it is. I also realize that other gases, such as water vapor, methane, and others, have an effect. My current question is about CO2.
The atmosphere of Venus is 96% CO2, and it's hotter than blazes, to use a technical term. The surface temperature of Mercury can range from -275 F to + 840 F, and Venus, which is farther from the sun, stays at about +870 F all of the time. Mars, which is much farther from the sun, has temperatures ranging from a low of about -243 F at the poles, to a high of around +68 F at noon at the equator. The atmosphere of Mars is also about 96% CO2, but its atmospheric density is also extremely low, while the atmosphere of Venus is very dense.
So the question has some complexities. I already know the politics, and I have my own opinions. I think that there are people that can answer my questions above without injecting politics into it, and I hope some will participate before this dissolves into the inevitable flame war. Also feel free to PM me on this, if you think it's necessary to avoid conflict.
Here's hoping.
The questions I have are as follows: Is there a threshold at which the "greenhouse effect" is increased or decreased by the presence or absence of a particular gas? In other words, would 1 part per million of CO2 in the atmosphere raise the surface temperature of the earth by a theoretical or measurable amount, or is a certain atmospheric concentration required before effects are seen?
I realize that the greenhouse effect exists and helps to keep the earth as temperate as it is. I also realize that other gases, such as water vapor, methane, and others, have an effect. My current question is about CO2.
The atmosphere of Venus is 96% CO2, and it's hotter than blazes, to use a technical term. The surface temperature of Mercury can range from -275 F to + 840 F, and Venus, which is farther from the sun, stays at about +870 F all of the time. Mars, which is much farther from the sun, has temperatures ranging from a low of about -243 F at the poles, to a high of around +68 F at noon at the equator. The atmosphere of Mars is also about 96% CO2, but its atmospheric density is also extremely low, while the atmosphere of Venus is very dense.
So the question has some complexities. I already know the politics, and I have my own opinions. I think that there are people that can answer my questions above without injecting politics into it, and I hope some will participate before this dissolves into the inevitable flame war. Also feel free to PM me on this, if you think it's necessary to avoid conflict.
Here's hoping.