The ability to absorb and re-emit energy from the Earth’s surface and atmosphere also is found in the most widely variable atmospheric gas – water vapour – the invisible gaseous form of water. Water vapor can not only absorb energy, but can also store it, making water vapour a more efficient at capturing radiant energy than carbon dioxide. This stored energy is transported with the air currents, and thus is an essential part of surface temperature moderation process. The warmer the air, the more moisture of water vapour it can hold. The part of the atmosphere closes to the surface of the earth is the warmest, and thus retains the most moisture, often this moisture is manifest as rainfall and clouds. Water vapour is an integral part of the hydrological cycle, that sees water move from the surface of the earth, to the atmosphere, and back down to the earth. Without this cycle very little life would be found on planet earth.
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