P2: Global Warming

P2: Global Warming

1. Upsetting the greenhouse effect

   • Earth varies naturally
     • Due to movement around Sun
       • E.g. caused ice ages
   • Scientific consensus humans are causing increase in greenhouse gasses
   • Increase in carbon dioxide levels
     • Global temperature has also increased
   • The CO2 increase is not due to natural variation
     • Humans are causing global warming
   • Greenhouse effect increased
     • Causing global warming

2. A form of climate change that can cause others, e.g. changing weather patterns

3. Climate Model

   • Mimic what's going on in the real climate
   • Explain why the climate is changing
     • Know it varies naturally
       • These changes aren't due to natural variation
   • Shows increase in greenhouse gasses caused by humans
   • Input data and equations to work out climate
     • Surface temperature of ocean
       • Current speed and direction
       • Air temperature of places around the workd

4. Consequences

   • Sea levels rise
     • Hotter water expands
       • Flooding in low-lying areas
         • Netherlands
         • East-Anglia
         • Maldives
   • Ice melts
     • Loss of habitat for Polar Bear :(
     • Water flows into seas
       • Sea leves rise
   • Weather patterns
     • More extreme weather
       • Longer, hotter droughts
       • More frequent hurricanes
         • Form in seas above 27C
           • Increase in global temperature = increase in water temperature
             • More places above 27C
       • Increased heat in atmosphere
         • Stronger wind
           • More vater vapour
           • Increased chance of flooding and storms
             • Destroy homes/ crops
   • Food production
     • Droughts
       • Too dry to grow crops
     • Flooding
       • Too wet to grow crops