A bright side of precipitation

摘要

During the period 1986-2000, the world - or at least its terrestrial parts - became wetter. On average, the increase in precipitation over this time was 3.5 mm yr~(-1). In other words, the hydrological cycle intensified, and Martin Wild and his colleagues set themselves the task of investigating the factors responsible (M. Wild, J. Grieser and C. Schaer Geophys. Res. Lett. 35, L17706, doi:10.1029/ 2008GL034842; 2008). The strength of the main engine that powers the hydrological cycle depends on the balance of radiative energy at Earth's surface.