Changes in Temperature and CO2 in the Atmosphere at Various Latitudes

Abstract

Masaharu Nishioka

The satellite-based Earth surface temperature, ENSO index, and change rate of the CO2 concentration (ppm/year) were strongly correlated over the 40 years of observation, as reported in the previous paper. The temperature changed approximately one year after the ENSO index changed, and the change rate of the CO2 concentration followed the temperature change by several months. CO2 emission and absorption at the Earth’s surface respond to temperature changes. In this study, satellite-based Earth surface temperatures and change rates of CO2 concentrations were further investigated at various latitudes. These two variables were correlated even at various latitudes. The change rate of the CO2 concentration at northern latitudes responded to temperature changes more than that at southern latitudes. The change rates of CO2 concentrations at various latitudes between 2008 and 2011 and between 2014 and 2017 during El Niño periods were compared, but the change rates of CO2 concentrations at low latitudes were quite different between the two periods. Additionally, the change rate of the CO2 concentration at the sine latitude of 0.75 (�??50 N) significantly responded to temperature changes regardless of ENSO occurrence. Furthermore, the temperature difference between the land and sea is greater in the north (20 N-90 N) than in the south (20S-90S). All these results support previous interpretations: (1) CO2 emissions due to higher temperatures are related to plant respiration or decomposition processes, and (2) temperature changes first, after which the change in CO2 concentration follows temperature changes by several months. These propositions are important for understanding today's warming period.

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