From Guest Blogger Alia Haley: Power of Clouds and Climate: Mystery in the Environment

Scientists and researchers have been trying hard to find out the power of cloud to harness for everyone’s benefits. They are therefore seen collecting a number of historical data and records to find out how clouds can respond to the earth’s warming. This is critical since clouds are considered to be one the biggest single uncertainty in the attempt to predict the future climate. A few contrarian scientists simply emphasize that cloud will change in such a way that it will basically counterbalance the greenhouse gases released by the mankind. However, a majority or scientists are seen calling global warming a big issue in the coming future. Yet, since past few years, the contrarian scientists or climate skeptics have strong feelings that clouds will save the human race.

Majority believes the flip side

A majority of scientists are seen doubtful about the cloud theory. They believe that clouds play a neutral role; however, they end up calling it as a tangible uncertainty. As you see the earth growing warm to a modest level, the scientists call this as a vexing problem, whereas the clouds still remain unaffected. They simply conclude that clouds do have neutral impact or may improve planetary warming. Andrew E. Dessler, a known climate researchers at Texas is also among these scientists who consider clouds as uncertainty thing.

Valiant efforts despite all odds

The constant cloud observations started with the advent of satellite which is actually a decade old phenomenon. You can find out huge amount of satellite and observational records which is stretched back to twentieth century, however, these can be spotty as you move back in time. So scientists who try to find out some trends in cloud properties find small amount of records as a great demerit. However, if they pass a substantial amount of time observing the clouds, they would certainly end up finding the way clouds respond and react to the global warming issue. However, this would require a couple of decades and researchers and policy makers want some quick answers. Hence you can see some valiant efforts are put across to find answers with the current limited data.

Interesting study without definitive proof

The most promising paper was presented by Roger Davies Buckley (Glavish professor of climate physics at the Auckland University in New Zealand) and a student Matthew Molloy. It carried out a global analysis of the cloud measurements across the first decade of information and data from NASA’s Terra satellite meant for cloud measuring things. The conclusion which was drawn though was preliminary in nature but at the same time was provocative.
The duo discovered that there is 1 percent decrease in clouds heights in the past decade (2000-10). As the higher clouds are apt for better warming effect over the climate, this significant drop was likely seen with the cooling effect. Their findings were seen consistent with the notion of clouds as negative feedback -which is, an inherent answer by the earth, this would also lean to counterbalance global warming to some extent. However, the paper was not backed with perfect proof.

Challenges in the road ahead

The basic problem which scientists around the world are facing is the dearth of data. They have limited amount of data or records confined to just one decade. Studying this limited data still was able to observe some changes which were pertaining to the natural El Nino versus the La Nina oscillation seen over the Pacific Ocean. This seems pretty vigorous all through the decade which they studied and analyzed. They also noticed a drop in cloud’s height; however, it was hard for them to guess whether the same trend would continue the coming decade as well. The scientists are therefore calling it a natural variability and in case if it continues for two to three decades it could be the compensation mechanism which can therefore limit the planetary warming.

A vigorous critique is emerging

These findings are still new and fresh just published in February, hence you may not find too many critiques countering this study. However, you can find one vigorous critique emerging out. As the natural variability can hobble this kind of study, few scientists are seen putting their efforts to convert this into their benefits by utilizing it as a proxy for long term warming of the planet. Hence in the case of El Nino which warms up some specific areas of Pacific Ocean, the impacts noticed here can be used as a parameter for any permanent warm planet. Also, Dr. Andrew Dessler a scientist based at Texas A&M had published his paper with similar conclusions in the year 2010. He concluded that clouds are probable to accentuate in a long run but at the same time, he was frank enough to share about some error in his measurements. Hence such study can be called far from perfection.
A majority of scientists consider the entire exercise of employing natural variability to respond the cloud question as intrinsically tricky. In fact, the natural variability of climate system recorded for short term cannot be considered as a long term warming for the complete planet against the enforced greenhouse gases released by mankind. Hence the factor of natural variability can embark as a convincing proxy for some bigger questions.

The ongoing hunt

Despite all odd, the hunt for other methods and ways to understand and study the clouds continues. One of the captivating projects on this issue is led by Dr. Amy Clement Professor, Meteorology & Physical Oceanography at University of Miami. She discovered a fact that the cloud observations based on few decades by skilled observers on ships can be amazingly useful. The main data which she used belong to the 1950’s, but these records have their own limitations for example, a majority of figures are Northern Hemisphere based which is one of the largest shipping areas in the world.
Yet, she and her team is doing the best with these records and are seen comparing it with other information sources. Dr. Clement and her two co-authors have come across some evidences in the year 2009. This states that the low level clouds were more likely to decline against the growing rise of greenhouse gases. As the low level clouds bounces back the sunlight falling over them to the space which keeps the earth cool, this therefore could amount to some positive feedback which will heighten the global warming.
Looking at the larger picture many scientists find the case more convincing than the climate skeptics who simply pray for a large cooling effect. Yet, a majority of scientists in the mainstream consider global warming issue as the most pertinent one by calling the cloud issue as unresolved mystery.

About the author: Alia Haley is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology, Luxury and autos. Beside this she is fond of cars and fancy accessories. She has a huge collection of expensive accessories and loves to write on her sites Gizmowatch and bornrich.