File talk:Breakdown of the incoming solar energy.jpg

According to this graphic The earth receives 174PW and radiates 173PW into space. A net gain of only 1PW is that accurate? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 164.227.209.46 (talk) 16:01, 9 November 2007 (UTC)

What I don't understand and would question, is how the atmosphere can radiate energy into space without radiating a similar amount down to earth. I don't think the atmosphere, when creating 111 PW of outward radiation uses gravity and decides to radiate up only, and not down.

If there is 111 PW of upward radiation from the atmosphere, I would expect 111 PW of downward radiation too. Since the surface is suppose to receive a total of only 89 PW it seems there is more upward radiation from the atmosphere only, than the surface receives downward from the atmosphere and the sun combined!

Either something is wrong with the diagram or my understanding of it.

Crysta1c1ear (talk) 12:29, 8 January 2008 (UTC)