How does CO2 generate heat?
Till you asked this question I had never heard anyone suggest Co2 generated heat. In basic form light from the Sun reaches the Earth some is reflected by the atmosphere back to space clouds also block some. The light that does reach the surface is converted to IR (infrared) as this heat rises in the atmosphere it is absorbed by greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. The warming effect is why the Earth is not around -20c the effect of AGW has been quite small we have increased Co2 by 1/3 but the temp has gone up just one degree. The source of all the energy is the Sun there is no doubt about that and the effect of reductions in light reaching the surface can easily be seen at the poles, they exist because of the extended periods these areas receive less light during their respective winters because of the tilt in the Earths axis. They cool because heat radiates to space and while the atmosphere can hold onto it briefly with daily rewarming temperatures drop. This e
