Climate Change
Atmospheric Layers
The Carbon Cycle
Composition of the Atmosphere
Weather/Climate
The Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse Gases
Causes of Climate Change
Weather
Climate
Measured over short-term.
Changes of the condition of the atmosphere at a certain place and time.
Precipitation and Temperature.
Reported as a temporary forecast.
Occurs differently in different areas.
Measured as an average over a long period of time.
Occurs over a large region.
Climate zones:
Precipitation and Temperature.
Reported as averages over a period of time.
Polar
Arid
Tropical
Tundra
Mediterranean
Natural Causes
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere
85-690km
Space shuttle orbits here, ions like the northern lights live here.
20-50km
Ozone layer, planes fly here.
6-20km
Contain's most of the atmosphere's moisture. Weather takes place here.
50-85km
Meteors burn up here.
690km and up
Satellites orbit here.
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Argon
Carbon Dioxide
Neon, Helium, Methane, Ozone
0.039%
21%
78%
0.93%
-0.04%
The natural warming of Earth's surface and lower atmosphere.
Caused by solar radiation being absorbed and emitted by the atmosphere.
Heat is absorbed by greenhouse gases.
They trap energy from the sun.
First sunlight enter earth's atmosphere and passes through greenhouse gases.
Second earth's surface absorbs solar energy.
Third energy is radiated back into the atmosphere.
Finally this causes the earth to heat up.
The major greenhouse gases include:
Carbon Dioxide
Methane
Water Vapour
Too many of these gases causes the earth to be too warm.
Too little of these gases causes the earth to be too cold.
Anthropogenic Causes
Humans causing climate change.
They contribute by:
Combusting fossil fuels.
Contributing to landfills.
Deforestation
Agriculture
Naturally climate change occurs by:
Volcanic Eruptions
Solar Activity
Plate Tectonics
Weathering/Erosion
Ocean Circulation
Changes in ocean circulation patterns.
Mountains building removes carbon dioxide from atmosphere.
Emit aerosols.
Blocks solar radiation in the atmosphere.
Cooling effect.
Ash
Dust
Sulfur dioxide
Move carbon to the ocean.
Over a long scale of time.
Cooling effect.
Fluctuations of solar radiation can slightly warm or cool climates.
The cycling of carbon molecules between oceans, air, organisms, and rocks.
Carbon Footprints
Carbon sinks take carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it.
Oceans are the world's largest carbon sink.
The ability of the ocean to absorb carbon dioxide decreases as the carbon concentration increases.
Increased carbon dioxide causes:
Ocean acidification.
Kills marine life and coral reef ecosystems.
Prevents marine organisms from building shells.
Forests are carbon sinks.
Carbon is stored in forests as plants take in carbon dioxide for food.
The total amount of greenhouse gas emissions because of human actions.
Factors
Transportation
Electricity
Food
Clothing
Purchased Goods
Reduction
Use less fossil fuels.
Support change.
Drive less.
Turn off lights.
Use energy efficient appliances.
Buy local goods and locally grown foods.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Support local farms.
Educate others.
Educate yourself.