How does the Earth self correct for overall warming?

Question

I can agree that the earth is in a warming trend. Let's leave it at that. I can also see from the relavant scientific data that the current temps are near the peak temps measured at any point in the Earth's history(as interpreted from ice core samples). In this case I want to know the mechanism by which the earth will self correct. It seems to have a peek temperature at which the planet will "shift" to a cooling trend.

Here's my theory-just for a grin.
Earth heat's due to solar input and effects of Reflectivity/Absorbtivity. As temp increases ice caps melt. Ice reflects IR so the less ice the more absorbed IR=more heating. As ice melts water surface area goes up. Water is more absorbative so again temp goes up. Earth is a big rock with a melty inside. As temp goes up the temp of the big rock goes up too. Effect is to increase volcanic activity. Ash spewing into the atmosphere rapidly cools the water spread thinly on the surface freezing it in place. Reflectivity jumps rapidly. Chil

I like the answers so far. I'm still thinking that the overall Earth temperature picture is more significant than the relatively small vapor layer on its surface. Sure we live in that vapor layer but look at the macro issues of thermal balance. History shows that the planet does self correct. It has done so many many many times. I am curious if the increase of surface temps by 2 degrees can result in a crust temp increase (even .1 degree) then the rate of volcanism would go up due to the slightly lowered resistance in crustal deformation. For that matter, the crust itself would expand (by a microscopic fraction) also increasing the solar effect by raising the cross sectional area exposed to insolation.
Can we use a satilite to measure to emmisivity of the Earth. We could really take a measure of the green house effect. The further out we get the more averaged the result would be.

Answer 1

Disruption of Thermohaline conveyor bringing warm water to the poles and subducting cold water away. (Movement is accomplished through changes of density as a function of heat and salinity.) It is postulated that the melting of polar ice introduces an excess of fresh cold water that is less dense (less saline) halting the subduction. The overall accumulation of cold water at the poles directly results in a colder atmosphere, triggering glaciation at high altitudes.

This is thought to have been the process that occurred during the Little Ice Age.

Answer 2

All of these guys have good answers. Put them together and you gan string a time line of recovery. Global warming melts the icecaps. Fresh water floods the oceans disrupting the thermohaline conveyor. Warm water no longer carries heat into the North Atlantic. A mini Ice Age begins creating new Ice caps reflecting solar energy back into space. As temperatures begin to stabilize, plant life begins to flourish in the CO2 rich environment. Eventually a reforestation will bring the CO2 levels into equilibrium. That is If we can wait that long and not screw up it along the way. The planet is resilient. The planet will survive. Humans as a species are pretty adaptable and resilient. But that leaves no guarantees for individual people. If the oceans rise or there are mass famines. lots of people will die and lots of people will get scared. Scared people do stupid things.

But the Vulcanism idea is completely unrealistic.

Answer 3

Well I like the way you think, even if you're wrong. There will be an ultimate brake on global warming, but it won't be volcanism. Magma chambers are way too far below ground level to be affected by surface temperatures.

The actual final brake on GW will be clouds. Warm the earth by 10 to 15° and evaporation will outpace dewpoints, leading to greater cloud cover, leading to more of the Sun's energy being reflected back into space. The Earth will be permanently warmer, of course, and we will have lost half of Florida in the meantime -- but the effect will eventually stop.

Answer 4

Excessive burning of fossil fuel is responsible or at least partly responsible for the observed warming, as the carbon dioxide absorb more energy and increase the green house effect causing the earth temperature to rise. The plants can absorb and fix some of the carbon dioxide and produce oxygen instead, however; the rate of burning and release of carbon dioxide is much more than what the plants and trees can handle.

Answer 5

James Lovelock is a respected scientist who believes strongly in the Earth's ability to regulate itself. He has written a number of peer reviewed scientific articles and books about it. He calls the Earth Gaia, in his respect for that ability.

The data on global warming has changed his mind. His latest book "The Revenge of Gaia" is a passionate plea for nuclear energy as the best strategy to reduce global warming.

The Earth will eventually regulate itself. But by then we'll be broke from the expense of dealing with global warming. It is far better to spend much less money now to reduce it.

Answer 6

God will return before we can destroy the earth and each other.