What is the lag time for the "greenhouse" effect of CO2?

[Richard E]

In other words: suppose we quit emitting all co2 right now, freezing the concentration at approx 380 ppm. How long would it take for global mean temperatures to reach equilibrium (i.e. to quit rising)?

I think there is two parts to this question: 1) how long does it take for the CO2 in he atmosphere to reach its full potential for heat capture?
It seems rather unbelievable that the effects would take place right away. Just like a room is not fully warmed the minute you turn on the heater

2) How long before feedback loops reach equilibrium. I guess there is little exact data on this one. Are there any estimates on how long it would take for negative or positive feedbacks to reach equilibrium again?

I've asked this before, but i didn't really get an answer. I hope i catch some climate scientist who can link me to the proper articles this time!

 

[Tat]

The earth has not warmed in ten years. It now appears to be possibly cooling. It has nothing to do with us. It has to do with the sun.
http://www.enterstageright.com/archive/articles/0408/0408globalwarmingoceans.htm
http://www.alarmingnews.com/archives/007203.html
http://www.canadafreepress.com/2006/avery032506.htm

 

[Ben O]

There's no one answer to that question that is consistant with all the prevailing global warming theories.

While the latest IPCC report considers the multi century effects of global warming as if the time period to reach equilibrium was around 1000 years, then there's the assertion that the sun could not possibly have caused recent global warming because we have 30 years data for it and thermal equilibrium would occur much faster than that.