Environmental analysis news: Water vapour 'affects global warming'

A new study published by US scientists has revealed that water vapour in the earth's atmosphere could be a key factor in global warming.

The environmental analysis was carried out by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the report has been published in the journal Science.

According to the researchers, water vapour ten miles above the world's surface has fallen by ten per cent, which could explain why temperatures have increased more slowly over the past ten years than in previous decades.

Susan Solomon, senior scientist at the NOAA and first author of the study, explained that many climate change models only take water vapour that is much closer to the planet's surface into account.

The NOAA's findings are different, she asserted. "It's a thin wedge of the upper atmosphere that packs a wallop from one decade to the next in a way we didn't expect," Ms Solomon stated.

Although the organisation has been unable to explain why water vapour levels declined, it has predicted that this drop resulted in global surface temperatures rising 25 per cent more slowly than they would have done without the change.

In addition to monitoring the climate, the NOAA plays an important role in the management of US fisheries and marine commerce, as well as being involved in work to preserve the country's coastlines.

Posted by Lauren Steadman