On the Physics of Glaciations

Abstract The economically recoverable reserves of fossil fuels will ultimately be depleted, and carbon neutral or low carbon economies of the future may restore past climate regulating parameters. Therefore, knowledge of the physics of glaciations and paleoclimates is warranted, and the physics appears to be an ongoing subject of research. This work reveals that glaciations were initiated by the instinctive and inherent tendency of living green matter to multiply and increase in size when conditions were favorable. Aquatic photosynthesis is a thermodynamic cycle that requires a flow of sea water as a medium of heat transfer. The flow of water altered the thermohaline circulation pattern and cold water of the deep ocean was brought to the surface. Surface temperature decreased cumulatively with time and glaciations thus developed. The opposite occurred during warming periods. The cold water was returned back to the deep ocean. Accordingly, past surface temperature variation is calculated and found to be in agreement with observations, and complex features of past climates are explained. Based on this understanding, photosynthesis may be utilized to manage future climates, and reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere appears to be unnecessary.