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q |
Since the
late 1970s, satellite instruments have observed small
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oscillations
due to the 11-year solar cycle. Mechanisms for the
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amplification
of solar effects on climate have been proposed,
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but
currently lack a rigorous theoretical or observational basis.
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q |
Stratospheric
aerosols from explosive volcanic eruptions lead to
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negative
forcing, which lasts a few
years. Several major
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eruptions
occurred in the periods 1880 to 1920 and 1960 to
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1991.
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q |
The
combined change in radiative forcing of the two major
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natural
factors (solar variation and volcanic aerosols) is
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estimated
to be negative for the past two, and possibly the past
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four,
decades.
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