ScienceJuly 4, 2026
stratosphere
/ˈstræt.ə.sfɪər/
Definition
The second major layer of Earth's atmosphere, located directly above the troposphere, which exhibits specific cooling patterns in response to greenhouse gas emissions.
Etymology
The word is derived from the Latin 'stratum' (meaning layer or bed) and the Greek 'sphaira' (meaning globe or ball). It was coined in the early 20th century to describe this distinct, layered region of the upper atmosphere.
In the news
The author cites the cooling of the stratosphere as a vital piece of evidence for human-caused climate change. This specific temperature trend acts as a 'fingerprint' to differentiate human-influenced warming from other climate factors.
Climate scientist who “proved” humanity is warming Earth says government report got it wrong
Read the full article ↗ScienceDaily