The potential effect of galactic cosmic rays on global climate.
Published: 2005
Language: eng
Number of pages: 169
Description: The validity of the hypothesis that galactic cosmic ray flux (CRF) may be driving global climate through an effect on low-clouds was investigated. A literature review revealed uncertainty regarding almost all aspects of the hypothesis, particularly the apparent CRF-low cloud correlations and the proposed mechanisms. While the hypothesis has potential, there is currently insufficient evidence to accept it as a climate driver. A radiative-convective climate model was developed to test the relative importance of greenhouse gases and the proposed CRF-Cloud-Climate Hypothesis to the global warming experienced over the past century. It was found that a CRF-low cloud link could explain some of the small-scale variability in the global temperature trend, but not the large-scale global warming. It should be noted that there is significant uncertainty in the results of such a simple climate model. Further investigation into the CRF-Cloud-Climate Hypothesis, through atmospheric, laboratory and modelling experiments, is recommended.
Notes: Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 44-02, page: 1011.

Thesis (M.A.Sc.)--University of Toronto, 2005.

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