Water vapor is know to be the Earth's most abundant greenhouse gas, but the level of impact that it has on global warming has been debated by many existing models for years. In November, NASA was able to receive new evidence that water vapor plays a large role in global warming. Using new technology called the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), which measures the humidity throughout the lower 10 miles of the atmosphere, NASA was able to conclude that water vapor, which increases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, is potent enough to double the level of climate warming.
According to Sciencedaily.com, "Increasing water vapor leads to warmer temperatures, which causes more water vapor to be absorbed into the air. Warming and water absorption increase in a spiraling cycle. Water vapor feedback can also amplify the warming effect of other greenhouse gases, such that the warming brought about by increased carbon dioxide allows more water vapor to enter the atmosphere."
While scientists have been estimating the effect of water vapor on global warming, it wasn't until now that they had complete data to support their claims. "AIRS is the first instrument to distinguish differences in the amount of water vapor at all altitudes within the troposphere. Using data from AIRS, the team observed how atmospheric water vapor reacted to shifts in surface temperatures between 2003 and 2008. By determining how humidity changed with surface temperature, the team could compute the average global strength of the water vapor feedback."
This amazing research confirms their beliefs that water vapor is a leading cause of climate change and now they will be able to research ways to minimize the impact and damage.
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