News

Quantum quirk explains why carbon dioxide causes global warming - New Scientist

New Scientist · last updated

Quantum quirk explains why carbon dioxide causes global warming | New Scientist

Carbon dioxide emissions are warming the planet Rupert Oberhauser / Alamy

Carbon dioxide emissions are warming the planet

Rupert Oberhauser / Alamy

Carbon dioxide is uniquely suited to cause global warming because of a coincidental quirk of quantum mechanics.

Global warming is largely caused by carbon dioxide and other gases absorbing infrared radiation, trapping heat in Earth’s atmosphere – known as the greenhouse effect.

The most accurate climate models use precise measurements of the amount of radiation CO₂ can absorb to calculate how much heat will be trapped in the atmosphere.…

View full article

here today, more tomorrow

We’ve launched briefing.center with a focus on the press and media.

And we’ve added Citizen Cartwright, a daily quick-read news summary by veteran Washington journalist Linda Cartwright. We’ve also created a new voting rights knowledge center for Citizen Cartwright subscribers. (You can sign up for a dedicated morning email at citizencartwright.com.)

You can sign up here for full access to press and media and Citizen Cartwright on briefing.center.

You can use briefing.center as the center of your information management, or just one of your tools. We’re happy to discuss your information needs.

Sign up