Taking the incorrect premise that surface radiation absorbed in the atmosphere is completely re-emitted to the surface: therefore, the
upward radiation from the atmosphere, EU must be supplied by the only other terms shown in the diagram — convective energy plus solar radiation absorbed by the atmosphere.
This might be a way of explaining the results which show a clear sky super greenhouse effect in which downwelling thermal
radiation from the atmosphere increases more rapidly in the tropics than upwelling thermal radiation at sea surface temperatures (SSTs) above 300 K, occuring over 52 % of the tropics between 20 N and 20 S between the years of 1985 to 1989.
Thus we hear so much about «down welling» re -
radiation from the atmosphere warming up the planet dangerously because humanity is releasing a certain amount of CO2 that would not otherwise be in the atmosphere.
They also fail to mention that sunlight can travel tens of METRES into the water and is thus a powerful warming agent compared to the single MILLIMETRE penetration of down welling
infrared radiation from the atmosphere.
As a greenhouse gas, this increase in atmospheric CO2 increases the amount of downward longwave
radiation from the atmosphere, including towards the Earth's surface.
Not
all radiation from the atmosphere is the same.
Downward long - wave or infrared
radiation from the atmosphere to the surface is a vital component to warming the Earth's surface.