LYRICS
Higher saturation
Increased precipitation
More intensification
More evaporation
Men feed the feedback mechanism
The vapor caper
Turn up the heat
Mother Nature’s got us beat
Time to get off the street
Mother Nature’s getting mean
Over how we’ve gone extreme
Stand back from the feedback
Positive is negative
Feedback loop better regroup
Better regroup
Feedback loop
Feedback loop
Feedback loop
Mother Nature’s got us beat
Time for a meet and greet?
Mother Nature’s getting mean
Over how we’ve gone extreme
Mother Nature’s got us beat
Time for Man to retreat
Mother Nature’s getting mean
Over how we’ve gone extreme
Men feed the feedback mechanism
Man-feed — cannibalism
Stand back from the feedback
Positive is negative
Feedback loop better regroup
Better regroup
Feedback loop
Feedback loop
Feedback loop
Men feed the feedback mechanism
Man-feed — cannibalism
Feedback loop
Feedback loop
Feedback loop
- Vapor-Caper-Part-I.mp3 (unplugged to save energy)
- Vapor-Caper-Part-II.mp3
- Vapor-Caper-Part-II-Instrumental.mp3
- Vapor-Caper-LH-Casio-WK-3500.MID (Left Hand / also controlled Korg PS60)
- Vapor-Caper-RH-Yamaha-PSR-740.MID (Right Hand / also controlled microKorg and miniNOVA vocorder)
Chords: D A / C E A / E A A E E A / C D / C D A; Part II @ 104 Beats Per Minute
Instrumentation: Vocals (TC-Helicon VOICELIVE and MiniNova Vocorder), Ibanez Acoustic Guitar (AW54CE), Ibanez Electric RG-270 (Boss Digital Delay), Fender Jazz Bass (Boss Digital Delay), Keyboards (Korg PS60, Casio WK-3500, Yamaha PSR-740, MiniNova, MicroKorg)
ABOUT THE SONG
A feedback loop, also called a “Positive Feedback Mechanism”, in the context of climate refers to a process where an initial change in a system triggers additional changes that further reinforce and amplify the original change. In other words, the feedback loop amplifies the effects in the same direction as the initial change, creating a self-reinforcing cycle. Positive feedback mechanisms can contribute to the acceleration and intensification of certain climate-related processes; therefore, I hesitate to use the word “positive” in the description because the outcome is quite negative.
How does climate change contribute to an increase in moisture in the atmosphere?
Climate change contributes to an increase in moisture in the atmosphere through a process known as the Clausius-Clapeyron equation, which describes the relationship between temperature and the saturation vapor pressure of water. As global temperatures rise due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases, several mechanisms lead to an enhanced water vapor content in the atmosphere:
- Warmer Temperatures:
- Climate change is primarily characterized by an increase in global temperatures. As the Earth’s surface warms, the air near the surface also becomes warmer.
- Increased Evaporation:
- Warmer temperatures accelerate the evaporation of water from the Earth’s surface, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and soil. This increased evaporation results in more water molecules transitioning from liquid to vapor form.
- Higher Saturation Vapor Pressure:
- The Clausius-Clapeyron equation states that the saturation vapor pressure of water increases exponentially with temperature. This means that for every degree Celsius increase in temperature, the air can hold more water vapor.
- More Water Vapor in the Atmosphere:
- The higher saturation vapor pressure allows the atmosphere to hold an increased amount of water vapor. As a result, the atmosphere becomes more “loaded” with moisture, leading to higher absolute humidity levels.
- Changes in Precipitation Patterns:
- The increased moisture in the atmosphere can influence precipitation patterns. In some regions, it may lead to more intense and frequent rainfall events, while in others, it may contribute to prolonged dry spells and drought conditions.
- Positive Feedback Mechanism:
- Water vapor is also a greenhouse gas. As the atmosphere becomes more loaded with moisture, it contributes to the greenhouse effect, trapping more heat and further warming the Earth’s surface. This sets off a positive feedback loop, as the warmer temperatures then lead to even more evaporation and moisture in the atmosphere.
- Changes in Atmospheric Circulation:
- Climate change can alter atmospheric circulation patterns, influencing the distribution of moisture. Changes in circulation patterns can lead to shifts in precipitation, affecting both wet and dry regions.
- Melting Ice and Snow:
- Rising temperatures also contribute to the melting of ice and snow. As these frozen reservoirs shrink, they release additional moisture into the atmosphere.
It’s important to note that the impact of climate change on moisture levels in the atmosphere varies by region and can lead to diverse consequences, including changes in precipitation patterns, more intense storms, and alterations in the hydrological cycle. Monitoring and understanding these changes are crucial for assessing the potential impacts on ecosystems, weather patterns, and water resources.
— Climate Change Increases Moisture in the Atmosphere / Brouse (2024)
Examples of Feedback Loops
- Ice-Albedo Feedback:
- Mechanism: As ice and snow melt due to global warming, darker surfaces (such as open water or bare ground) are exposed.
- Effect: Dark surfaces absorb more sunlight, increasing heat absorption and further warming the area. This leads to more ice melt, creating a self-reinforcing cycle.
- Water Vapor Feedback:
- Mechanism: Warmer temperatures increase evaporation, leading to higher water vapor content in the atmosphere.
- Effect: Water vapor is a greenhouse gas, contributing to the greenhouse effect. As the atmosphere warms due to increased greenhouse gases, it can hold more moisture, amplifying warming.
- Permafrost Thawing Feedback:
- Mechanism: As global temperatures rise, permafrost (frozen soil in polar regions) thaws, releasing stored carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) into the atmosphere.
- Effect: The release of greenhouse gases from permafrost contributes to further warming, leading to more permafrost thaw and additional greenhouse gas emissions.
- Vegetation Loss and Carbon Cycle Feedback:
- Mechanism: Deforestation and land-use changes reduce the amount of vegetation that acts as a carbon sink, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere.
- Effect: With less vegetation, the ability to absorb CO2 is reduced, leading to increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations. This contributes to further warming and can create a positive feedback loop.
- Brown Carbon Feedback:
- Mechanism: Brown carbon, light-absorbing organic carbon with a low albedo, is deposited on ice, snow, or permafrost.
- Effect: Brown carbon absorbs more heat, accelerating ice melt and permafrost thaw. This releases more sequestered carbon and methane into the atmosphere, contributing to further warming.
- Forest Fires and Carbon Release Feedback:
- Mechanism: Climate change leads to more extreme weather conditions and increased lightning, which can ignite forest fires.
- Effect: Forest fires release stored carbon into the atmosphere in the form of CO2. More fires contribute to more carbon release, creating a positive feedback loop.
— Feedback Loops / Brouse and Mukherjee (2006)
ExperiMental Music: The music and lyrics are written and recorded extemporaneously. Extemporaneous, spontaneous, improvisation, jamming, freestyle, and impromptu music are most closely related to pure chaos. The music and lyrics evolve from the “sensitive initial conditions” similar to “a butterfly flapping its wings in China causing a hurricane in the Atlantic.”
Music as a Universal Language: Music has the power to communicate emotions universally. Certain melodies, harmonies, or rhythms can evoke specific feelings that resonate with people across different cultures and backgrounds.
The Science of Chaos Theory, String Theory, and Music