In this paper we use the inverse modelling technique, first applied to
the atmosphere of the planet Venus, to demonstrate that the process of
convective atmospheric mass motion can be invoked to explain the
greenhouse effect of the Earth’s climate. We propose that the
atmospheric cell is the fundamental element of climate, and have
developed an alternative climate model based on this process of
atmospheric circulation for a hypothetical tidally locked world. The
concept of climate derives from studies by the Greek philosopher
Aristotle, who identified the three main climatic zones known to the
ancient world; the equatorial torrid zone, the polar frigid zone and in
between the favoured temperate zone of the Mediterranean world.
Aristotle’s three climatic zones can be directly linked to the three
main atmospheric circulation cells that we now recognise within the
Earth’s atmosphere. These three cells are the Hadley cell, the Polar
cell and the Ferrel cell. Based on the clear association between the
traditional Greek concept of climate and the modern meteorological
concept of atmospheric circulation cells, we propose that climate be
defined as the presence and action of a particular circulation cell type
within a given planetary latitudinal zone. We discuss how with knowledge
of three simple meteorological parameters of tropopause elevation,
tropopause temperature and lapse rate for each atmospheric cell,
combined with the measurement of the area of that cell, the average
global surface temperature can be calculated. By means of a mathematical
model, the Dynamic-Atmosphere Energy-Transport (DAET) climate model we
apply an individual climate analysis to each of the three atmospheric
cells, and next generate a parallel composite model of the Earth’s
planetary climate using these data. We apply the concepts and techniques
of the adiabatic version of the DAET climate model, and show how this
model can be compared with the published NASA image of the Earth’s
outgoing long-wave radiation recorded by the CERES (Clouds and the
Earth’s Radiant Energy System) Instrument onboard the NASA Aqua
Satellite. Our analysis of the CERES image suggests that the Tibetan
plateau forms a permanent geological thermal radiant leak point in the
Earth’s atmosphere. We also compare the observed temperature found at
the maximum elevation of the Antarctic ice cap with the freezing point
of super-cooled water, and suggest that there is therefore a temperature
controlled and latent heat related upper limit to the vertical
development of a continental icecap.