New paper finds increase in US sunshine has had 4.4 times more effect than greenhouse gases since 1996 – Published today in the Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres
Study 'finds that due to a decrease in cloud cover, solar radiation has significantly increased over the US from 1996 to 2011. The authors note the change in longwave (infrared) surface radiation 'dwarfs the [alleged contribution] from the increase of CO2 during the analysis period.' According to the paper, the natural variability due to changes in sunshine has had 4.4 times greater effect on surface radiation than increased greenhouse gases since 1996 [6.6/1.5 = 4.4]'