Do Global Energy budgets make sense. ???

[Richard S Courtney.]

Dear Derek:

This answer is short because my answer to each and every of your questions is, Yes.

However, the solar heating of clouds is more complex than you suggest.

Clouds do absorb some solar radiation, but that radiation would have heated the Earth's surface if the clouds were absent.

Some of that absorbed energy is radiated downwards from the clouds. In this case, the 'back radiation' of this radiation is upwards: i.e. towards the clouds from which that radiation emanated.

Please remember that almost all the radiation that CO2 can absorbs is absorbed in 100m of the atmosphere.

Additionally, I have doubt that an analogy which deflects attention from your most significant point is hlpful to your case. But, if you want to specify its limitations then that is your choice.

Richard