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Climate Change - Coggle Diagram
Climate Change
Evidence of Climate Change
Global Impacts of Climate Change
Rising temperatures ; with humid and hot summers, certain ecoregions may not be able to handle the heat. E.g. the documentary from BBC shows a region of bats that have died due to the increasing temperatures in Australia
Rising sea levels; many coastal areas are beginning to disappear little by little as the sea level increases and covers more land. E.g. the BBC documentary shows Louisiana has shown a rapid decrease in their land as coastal areas are going under water. Many homes and community have been lost because of this.
With the disappearance of ice glaciers, homes to polar bears and other arctic animals have been at loss and extinction may be on its way
As the ocean turns to thermal expansion, the water absorbs more and more heat, damaging the eco systems (e.g. coral reefs)
these impacts are a direct effect of global warming caused by the excessive greenhouse gas emissions from human activity :star:
:!:Ozone Layer
The ozone layer acts as "Earth's Sunscreen". Ozone (O3) can be found in the stratosphere and blocks UV radiations from the Sun. However there exist holes in the ozone layer located over the Antarctic and Arctic due to the use of chlorofluorocarbons that destroy ozone molecules.
:!: Rising Sea Levels
Global sea levels have been increasing rapidly in recent years due to the fact that Earth is absorbing more heat than ever before and the Sun's radiation is being trapped in the atmosphere. As the temperatures begin to rise, land-based ice begins to melt (glaciers and ice sheets) and the ocean absorbs more heat leading to thermal expansion.
:!:Rising Temperatures
With the increase in Greenhouse gas emissions, the Sun's radiations is increasingly being trapped in the atmosphere. Once the temperature rises and the planet heats up, a number of problems arise -- rising sea levels, disturbance of eco systems, drouts etc.
The Earth's temperature is set to rise anywhere from 1.4-4.0 by the end of the century.
Factors effecting climate change
Fossil Fuel
:star:The usage of fossil fuel is one of the largest anthropogenic factors causing climate change. When fossil fuels are burned, oxygen combines with carbon to create carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere
Rising temperatures
With the percentage of Greenhouse gases increasing in the atmosphere, the Sun's radiation is being absorbed and increasing Earth's temperature.
:!:
Greenhouse Gas Effect
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that allows the temperature on the planet to remain steady both day and night.
Scientific evidence shows that human activity may be accelerating the greenhouse effect and raising the temperature of the planet. :star: Anthropogenic factors that increase carbon dioxide in the atmosphere ; animal agriculture, factory emissions, car exhaust, and deforestation.
Greenhouse Gases are found in the
atmosphere
. Gases that are greenhouse gases and make up the atmosphere are carbon dioxide, methane (which traps 23 times more infrared energy than CO2), nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, water vapour (2/3 of the natural greenhouse effect)and other gases. :
Natural processes of Climate Change
Albedo Effect
Whether a surface absorbs or reflects light is determined by its albedo. Climate change can be greatly affected by the Albedo Effect due to the melting glaciers. The glaciers is highly reflective and reflects the Sun's light back into space. However once the glaciers are melted, the Earth will begin to absorb more of the Sun's radiation,
warming the Earth.
Feedback Loops
A Feedback loop occurs when the cause creates an effect that impacts the original cause. A negative feedback occurs when the effects decreases the original cause. A Positive feedback occurs when the effect increases the original cause. The
Albedo Effect
is an example of a positive feed back loop when it comes to the
Hydrosphere
. Melting snow exposes more dark ground with a lower albedo resulting in absorbing more heat and causes more snow to melt. This is a result of climate change as sea levels rise and significantly effects climate zones.
Long and Short term changes in Climate
Long-Term Changes; Continental drift is the movement of continents over time which can impact ocean currents and wind patterns which can then impact the heat transfer. In addition with the increase of greenhouse gases in atmosphere, temperatures are predicted to rise significantly. This has an overall effect on the
climate
of a region/area and will become a Climate Zone. The climate also depends on distance from the equator, ocean air current, land formations ect
Short-Term Changes; volcanic eruptions, rain fall and rising temperatures are short term changes that can lead to long term changes. This has an overall effect on the
weather
as it is a short-term impact.
Limiting Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Action must be taken, starting with us
:star:
Reduce the usage of fossil fuels would be an effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Electricity and heating accounts for the largest percentage of man made carbon dioxide emissions but as an alternative, clean energy sources such as solar power, wind power and hydropower can be an effective replacement.
Being eco friendly takes only a few simple steps. Purchasing eco friendly and recycled products is a simple way tp start. Next,being consious about the waste we produce will truly help so not wasting any food and only buying what we need is very important. Another easy way to help the planet is to not leave lights or water running.
Planting more trees is an effective way to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions. Along with that deforestation should be reduced enormously, especially in Canada as it is a prime industry.
Spread awareness as much as you can! Some people may not know the long-term effects of climate change thus it is important to promote and encourage everyone to be eco-friendly. A great way to reach people is through social media which is very universal and can be reached by many people.