Climate-warming water vapor increasing in atmosphere from human activity

A new study shows that human activity is contributing to water vapor levels in the upper troposphere, further exacerbating global warming, according to Reporting Climate Science.

Comparing NOAA satellite data with climate model predictions, the researchers found that increasing water vapor in the Earth’s atmosphere is a product of human activity rather than natural causes. Previous hypotheses in the scientific community had suggested volcanoes or solar activity might be to blame for the rising vapor levels.

The relationship between water vapor and CO2 is considered the largest positive feedback in the climate system. As greenhouse gases warm the Earth, the atmosphere becomes more moist and traps more heat, perpetuating the cycle.