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7.2 Climate change - causes & impacts - Coggle Diagram
7.2 Climate change - causes & impacts
Climate & weather
Climate: average and extreme states of the atmosphere over a period of not less than 30 years
Weather: the state of the atmosphere at any particular moment in time
Variables - temperature, rainfall, winds, humidity, cloud cover, and pressure
Affected by
altitude
distance from sea
latitude
prevailing winds
ocean circulation
aspect
atmospheric circulation
human activities
Human activities
Burning of fossil fuels increase the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmossphere
increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events
potential for long term change in climate and weather patterns
increase in mean global temperature
rise in sea level
Feedback loops
Positive feedback: feedback that amplifies or increases change; it leads to exponential deviation away from an equilibrium
Melting of polar ice caps - lower planetary albedo - more solar energy absorbed - more melting
More forest cover in higher latitudes - decreased albedo - more warming
Permafrost thaw due to increase in temperature - CO2 and CH4 released into the atmosphere - increase in temperature - more permafrost thaw
Negative feedback: feedback that tends to dampen down, reduce or counteract any deviation from an equilibrium, and promotes stability
Increased evaporation in low latitudes - higher levels of precipitation - increased snowfall on polar ice caps - reduced mean global temperatures
Increase CO2 in atmosphere - increased plant growth - reduced atmospheric CO2
Impacts of global warming
Environmental features
increase in sea level causing coastal flooding
increasing flooding, causing more rapid circulation in the water cycle
melting of polar ice caps and glaciers
change in biome distribution & species composition - biome shift
Social features
agricultural areas shift towards the poles
relocation of residential locations due to flooding and storms
severe water shortages and possible wars over supply shortage
increased risk of tropical diseases
Impacts vary from location to location
Impacts may be perceived as adverse or beneficial
Affects
Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services
Coastal inundation
Distribution of biomes and crop-growing areas
Ocean acidification
Water availability
Damage to human health