Sunlight, the Bond Albedo, CO2, and Earth's Temperature

TL;DR

This paper analyzes how Earth's surface temperature is primarily influenced by the solar constant, with albedo and CO2 concentration playing lesser roles, emphasizing the dominant effect of solar radiation over atmospheric composition.

Contribution

It introduces a model linking Earth's temperature to solar and atmospheric factors, highlighting the relative importance of each determinant.

Findings

Solar constant is the most influential factor on Earth's temperature.

Albedo has a secondary but significant effect.

CO2 concentration has a comparatively minor impact.

Abstract

The main determinants of Earth's absolute surface Temperature, T, are the solar constant, S, the Bond albedo, A, and the effective emissivity for thermal radiation, e. In this note we assume that the value of the effective emissivity, e = e(C), is determined by the atmospheric concentration C of CO2. We show that the solar constant is most important, the albedo is second, and the CO2 concentration is a distant third.