How Do We Measure Earth's Energy Balance?
Exploring the scientific methods and technologies used to quantify Earth's energy flows
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0 / 5 completed📊 Current Energy Balance Measurements
240 W/m²
Satellite Measurements
216 W/m²
Ocean Heat Content
12 W/m²
Surface Temperature Records
241 W/m²
Climate Models
Consensus: +0.9 W/m²
All measurement methods agree: Earth is gaining heat at 0.9 watts per square meter
Scientific Measurement Methods
🛰️
Satellite Measurements
CERES instruments measure incoming and outgoing radiation
Accuracy: ±2 W/m²
Current: 240 W/m²
🌊
Ocean Heat Content
Argo floats measure ocean temperature changes
Accuracy: ±0.1 W/m²
Current: 216 W/m²
🌡️
Surface Temperature Records
Weather stations and buoys track temperature changes
Accuracy: ±0.5 W/m²
Current: 12 W/m²
🖥️
Climate Models
Computer simulations predict energy balance changes
Accuracy: ±10 W/m²
Current: 241 W/m²
🎯 Understanding Measurement Uncertainty
±10 W/m²
230 - 250 W/m²
Model Range
240 W/m²
Satellite Measurement
✓ Match
Agreement
💡 Key Insight: Despite measurement uncertainties, all methods consistently show Earth gaining heat. The +0.9 W/m² imbalance is well outside the uncertainty ranges of any individual method.
📈 Evolution of Energy Balance Measurements
1970s
Early satellite measurements begin
~10 W/m² uncertainty
1990s
ERBE satellite provides global radiation budget
~5 W/m² uncertainty
2000s
CERES instruments achieve high accuracy
~2 W/m² uncertainty
2010s
Argo ocean floats revolutionize ocean heat measurements
~0.1 W/m² uncertainty
2020s
Multiple independent methods confirm +0.9 W/m² imbalance
Consensus reached