Global Dimming
Research Findings for Global Dimming
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Global Dimming Resources
http://www.globalissues.org/EnvIssues/GlobalWarming/globaldimming.asp
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sun/
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/topstory/2007/aerosol_dimming.html
- There is also an interesting documentary titled "Horizons" that was produced by the BBC
Sunshine Levels Diminishing
Chang, Kenneth. "Globe Grows Darker as Sunshine Diminishes 10% to 37%." Common Dreams Newscenter. 13 May 2004. Common Dreams. 30 Mar 2008 <http://commondreams.org/headlines04/0513-01.htm>.
Chang's article was writtin in 2004 for the New York Times. It addresses the idea that the amount of sunshine reaching earth has diminished anywhere from 10% to 37% in the 20th century. The article's main point is to make the reader aware that many scientists have been studying the dimming phenomenon, and that they are compiling more and more evidence that supports the theory of global dimming. There is also explanation included of how these scientists perform their studies. The article completely supports the scientist's findings and is not an argument for or against global dimming
Geneva Granatstein
History of Global Warming
Adam, David. "Goodbye Sunshine." The Guardian. 18 Dec 2003. 30 Mar 2008 <http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2003/dec/18/science.research1>.
Adam's article gives a detailed summary of who first discovered the idea of global warming, and the different scientists that have published related research since then. Atsumu Ohmura first published research on global warming in 1985, when he recorded that since the 1960's, the amount of sunshine penetrating Europe had declined by 10%. Since Ohmura's article was published, several other research papers were published during the 1990s on global dimming. All of these papers provided additional evidence to support Ohmura's theory. It was reported that sunshine in Ireland was decreasing, both the Arctic and the Antarctic were getting darker and that light in Japan was also decreasing. The most surprising evidence was that levels of solar radiation in the former Soviet Union had gone down almost 20% between 1960 and 1987. Since then, many more scientists have begun their own research around the world, and are continuing to find evidence that supports Ohmura's original claim.
Geneva Granatstein
Explanation of Dimming
Appell, David. "The Darkening Earth." Scientific American. August 2004,p16-18. <http://web.ebscohost.com/bsi/detail?vid=3&hid=116&sid=f8bc64c8-2fca-460f-8a3c-203ad833101b%40sessionmgr107>
Gives a good background behind global dimming. Makes the claim that the amount of solar reduction has been about 2.7% per decade since the 1950s. Aerosols and other particulates/greenhouse gases are the main culprits behind the dimming and lead to more cloud formation which deflects more solar energy each year. This could affect rainfall and farming productivity among other things. This is a news-based article, the author is reporting the facts put forth from the scientific community.
Andrew Kersh
General Dimming Info
Lovett, Richard A. "A Dim Outlook." Weatherwise. Sept/Oct 2004, p17. <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=733701731&sid=1&Fmt=4&clientId=10553&RQT=309&VName=PQD>
The most interesting issue this raises is the fact that because of dimming the earth may actually get warmer and drier instead of warmer and wetter. It was thought that global warming would make more rain fall because of increased humidity, but dimming causes slower evaporation of water and the air cannot become humid so easily. This article agrees with the previous one as far as diminishing overall sunlight in the world. It finally mentions a possible link between the dimming effect and reduced monsoon seasons in India. This article is much like the previous one because the author is writing based off of what scientists have to say on the issue.
Andrew Kersh
One Interesting Outlook
"What is Global Dimming?" UnlimitedWatts.com. <http://unlimitedwatts.com/listpage.jsp?page=globaldimming>. 30 March 2008.
This is included because of the view it presents in the fourth paragraph. It has some good statements regarding reverting global dimming, and intentional global dimming. This information seemed unique enough to call attention to. I believe this article was written more recently than the previous two, the view seems very liberal and advocates use of "alternative energies and conscientious living" to help offset global warming and dimming. Unlike the other articles, this one gives an opinion on how to stop dimming, whereas the more scientific based ones simply put the facts out there for us to take however we want. This article's purpose is to motivate people to live cleaner to help fix our earth.
Andrew Kersh
Description of Global Dimming
"Global Dimming?." RealClimate. 18 Jan 2005. 30 Mar 2008 <http://www.realclimate.org/index.php?p=105>.
This resource is written in a blog form, where one person posted the topic and information they had gathered and then people had the opportunity to post their own opinions as well as additional research. The information originally posted shows the two sides to the topic. Some people are against the idea of global warming, while others are adament in believing it, so it was very interesting to read their different reasonings. The page brings up the idea that as of yet there is no actual solid explanation for the phenomenon, but brings up many potential answers and theories that are being researched. The page also discusses the possible connection between global dimming and the famines in Ethiopia in the 1980's.
Geneva Granatstein
What is Global Dimming?
"Global Dimming" Climate Change and Global Warming. 15 Janurary 2005. 31 March 2008
<http://www.globalissues.org/EnvIssues/GlobalWarming/globaldimming.asp#Whatisglobaldimming>
This article explains how Global Dimming is the reduction of heat reaching the earth. Fossil fuel use, as well as producing greenhouse gases, creates other by-products. These by-products are also pollutants, such as sulphur dioxide, soot, and ash. These pollutants however, also change the properties of clouds.
Clouds are formed when water droplets are seeded by air-borne particles, such as pollen. Polluted air results in clouds with larger number of droplets than unpolluted clouds. This then makes those clouds more reflective. More of the sun’s heat and energy is therefore reflected back into space.
Molly Stephens
