Detailed Response to ``Cosmic Rays, Carbon Dioxide and Climate" by Rahmstorf et al.

Nir J. Shaviv$^{1}$ & Ján Veizer$^{2,3}$

$^1$Racah Institute of Physics, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 91904 Israel $^2$Inst. für Geologie, Mineralogie und Geophysik, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany $^3$Department of Earth Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 Canada

Abstract:

Rahmstorf et al. [2004] published a critique to the ariticle ``Celectial driver of Phanerozoic Climate?" [Shaviv & Veizer, 2003]. We show here why the various criticism raised are either irrelevant or erroneous. Thus, the conclusions reached by Shaviv & Veizer [2003] are still valid. In particular, the dominant climate driver on the multi-million year time scale is the variable cosmic-ray flux. CO$_2$ is important, but it likely plays a secondary role in determining the climate.

An abridged reply to the Rahmstorf et al. critique was accepted and will soon be published in Eos. Since Eos places a strict page limitation, we present here the unabridged reply. The text of the Rahmstorf et al. critique is indented and italicized while our response is not.