Fascinating and potentially good news: changes in clouds elevation might lower the global temperature.

[Elodie Tronche]

This news has been released in the journal Geophysical Research Letters and is by Prof. Davies and Matthew Molloy from the University of Auckland. They analyzed measurements from the Multiangle Imaging SpectroRadiometer which is part of Terra Satellite; This instrument has been collecting data from clouds around the Earth since more than a decade. Davies and Molloy found out that the average cloud altitude decreased of 1% over the last decade (30 to 40 meters). Of course the record is too short in time to be representative of a real change, but if it was to be confirmed  in the next few years, this would be of great importance: a decrease of the clouds altitude would allow the Earth to cool to space for efficiently, hence reducing the global temperature of our planet. While the reason why this decrease can happen is not clear, “it could be due to a change in Circulation patterns that gives rise to cloud formation at high altitude” said Prof. Davies (taken from Science Daily online journal). If correct this could be an effect of the global warming counterbalancing the global warming itself.

Source: http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2012/2011GL050506.shtml

And for free information: http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/home/news/template/news_item.jsp?cid=...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120222114358.htm