Greenhouse effect of trace gases, 1970‐1980

Abstract

Increased abundances were measured for several trace atmospheric gases in the decade 1970‐1980. The equilibrium greenhouse warming for the measured increments of CH 4 , chlorofluorocarbons and N 2 O is between 50% and 100% of the equilibrium warming for the measured increase of atmospheric CO 2 during the same 10 years. The combined warming of CO 2 and trace gases should exceed natural global temperature variability in the 1980's and cause the global mean temperature to rise above the maximum of the late 1930's.