"Terry Harper" wrote in message ...
CO2 is only one of the infra-red absorbing gases in the atmosphere. Methane
CH4 is another and is a stronger absorber than CO2, but the most abundant
and most effective is water vapour. Even moreso when it condenses into
clouds.

Waters influence on climate varies depending on where it is and what
state its in eg stratosphere or troposhere , ice crystals or droplets.
CO2s influence is contstant. As for methane it reacts with O2 fairly quickly
and is converted into C02 so its long term impact on climate is not that
important.


There is a natural CO2 cycle, which involves its conversion by vegetation
into Oxygen and organic material, by photosynthesis. The more CO2 there is
in the atmosphere, the more this reaction can proceed. The CO2 also

It may well speed up but not necessarily at the same rate and this is
obvious given that C02 levels are rising. PLus man cutting down whole swathes
of vegetation that could mop up this extra CO2 doesn't help.

dissolves in water falling as rain, as a further part of this cycle, and
some will be absorbed by the oceans, in turn to be taken up by shellfish to
help make their shells. It's all to do with reaction equilibrium. Have a
look at
http://www.metoffice.com/research/ha...cle/index.html
for more information.

Venus is irrelevant in this context.

Really? I think its highly relevant in that it shows exactly what could
happen if a gunaway greenhouse effect takes hold. Our only saving grace is
that we're 50% further from the sun than venus so if it ever took hold here
the temperature might only rise to 500K instead of 750K.

B2003