Study: Global Warming Increases Humidity

Scientists using complex computer models say they have determined that an increase in humidity in the atmosphere over the past few decades has been caused primarily by the heat trapped by greenhouse gas pollution, according to a story in today's USA Today.

Some doubt has been cast on the methods used to arrive at that conclusion, however. But the simplicity of the assumption is stark: Warmer air can hold more moisture.

Between 1973 and 1999, the average worldwide humidity increased 2.2%, and the scientists who conducted the new research say most of that increase can be attributed to man-made global warming, as opposed to natural variability or other influences.

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