Apr 6 - Meteorologists in the Netherlands, who have set up a virtual cloud laboratory to study cloud behaviour, say understanding clouds is key for predicting how climates will change.
The researchers focused their lab studies on the lower 'fair-weather' clouds such as cumulus, which reflect sunlight away from the earth and therefore have a cooling effect.
They are also investigating theories that there will be fewer fair-weather clouds in warmer temperatures, as warm air can hold more water vapour than cold air, and with fewer clouds around to reflect sunlight, global warming could accelerate.
The researchers say one of the problems with the climate change debate is that the earth's processes are often overlooked as attention is focused mainly on the polluting effect of greenhouse gases released from human activity.
The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says in its most recent report that cloud formation was one of the biggest unknowns in climate predictions, leading to disparities of 2- 4.5 percent expected temperature increases.
Greenpeace activists take part in a demonstration in front of the national palace in Mexico's city main square March 31, 2009. Activists propose changing traditional light bulbs in the national palace ...
