Comments on “Anthropogenic Heat Release: Estimation of Global Distribution and Possible Climate Effect” by Chen, B. et al.

Abstract

 Chen et al. (2014, J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 92A, 157-165) estimated the global distribution of anthropogenic heat release (AHR) using satellite observed night lights, and showed a rapid increase of AHR from 2000 to 2009 in many regions, including Europe and North America. From model simulation based on this estimation, they showed a possibility of substantial influence of AHR on the climate over some regions of the world. However, existing data indicate that neither energy consumption nor night lights changed largely from 2000 to 2009. These facts raise serious doubts about the reliability of their results.