NASA Data: Earth Soaking Up More Solar Radiation

Climate change is now a present reality, as evidenced by recent NASA data indicating an increase in the Earth’s absorption of solar radiation in 2023. This phenomenon is critical because the amount of solar radiation the Earth absorbs significantly influences the climate.

According to the latest findings from NASA’s Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) Energy Balanced and Filled (EBAF) Edition 4.2, there were notable rises in solar radiation absorption, particularly in February, March, and December of 2023.

The beginning of the year saw a marked increase, with solar radiation absorption reaching 3.9 watts per square meter in February and then climbing to 6.2 watts per square meter in March.

When comparing these figures to those from the same months in 2000, it’s evident there’s been a significant uptrend in solar radiation absorption.

Data from December 2023 further confirms the ongoing trend of heightened solar radiation absorption, indicating a shift in average absorption levels to higher figures than those recorded at the start of the 21st century.

This shift has implications for the Earth’s energy balance and could result in climatic alterations, changes in sea levels, and temperature variations.

Notably, the years 2011, 2017, and 2022 also experienced increases in solar radiation absorption. However, the recent data from 2023 underscores a particularly sharp increase, suggesting a significant rise in the average solar radiation absorbed by the Earth.

Such changes are likely to have a substantial impact on the global climate, underscoring the urgency for measures to address this growing concern.