Climate Change

Página 1

Section 1 - Factors that affect climate change

As latitude increases, the avg. intensity of solar energy decreases

3 Temp zones

1. Temperatures zones - Between 23.5 degrees and 66.5 degrees North + South

- The sun's rays strike Earth at a smaller angle compared to the equator.

- Hot summers + Cold Winters

2. Tropical zones - Between 23.5 degrees North + 23.5 degrees South

-The sun's rays are most intense

- Generally, warm all year round

3. Polar zones

-The sun's rays hit at an even smaller angle than the temp. zones

- Has very cold temps. even in summer

The higher the elevation, the colder the climate. Large bodies of water can affect the climate from the temp. of the water.

- Bodies of water temp. can affect the air around it.

Topography - Topographic features such as mountains play an important role in the amt. of precipitation that falls over an area.

The rain shadow effect happens when humid air on the windward side of the mountain moves over the mountain and cools to form clouds. It condenses and results in heavy precipitation. By the time it's over the mountain, most water vapor is gone and leaves warm, dry air. Hence, the rain shadow.

- The leeward side of the mountain is usually East. Most of the time, it has a warm and dry climate.

Global Winds are another factor that influences climate because they distribute heat and moisture around Earth.

Section 2 - World Climates

Köppen climate classification system - A system used to classify climates by using mean monthly + annually values of temp. and precipitation.

Climates

Humid Tropical Climate - Climate w/o winters

-Every month has a mean temp above 18 degrees Celsius.

-Amt of precipitation exceeds 200 cm annually.

+Wet tropical - High temp. w/ high annual precipitation

+Tropical Wet + Dry - Has similar temp.+ precipitation but has distinct periods of low precipitation ( The Savanna)

Dry Climate

- Annual precipitation is not as great as the potential loss of water from evaporation.

- Rate of precipitation < Rate of evaporation

Polar Climate

- Mean temp. of warmest month is below 10 degrees Celsius

- Treeless region

- Has two climates -> Tundra Climate and Icecap Climate

Highland Climate

-Highland Climates are cooler + wetter than lowland climates

Section 3 - Climate Change

Volcanic eruptions release volcanic ash, dust, and sulfuric-based aerosols in the air which increase the amt of solar radiation that's reflected back into space.

-This causes Earth's lower atm. to cool

Some carbon from decayed organic matter is deposited as sediment. This becomes buried over long periods of time. Under the right conditions, some of these c-rich deposits are changed to fossil fuels.

- When fossil fuels are burned, huge quantities of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere.

Consequences of global sea levels rising

- The melting of ice sheets + sea ice will cause levels to rise.

- This leads to shoreline erosion + coastal flooding

- Warmer oceans could also lead to stronger and more frequent storms, including hurricanes.

Anthropogenic - Originating from human activity

-Burning of some types of fossil fuels is anthropogenic

The Little Ice Age

- Began in the 1300s and ended abruptly in 1850; lasted about 550 years.

-Killed many people -> Caused famines -> Influenced beer and potatoes today -> helped create Antonio T.'s violins -> influenced stories (Hansel + Gretel)

-Scientists believe it ended due to a decrease in energy output and an increase of energy input from the sun. Other ideas are that the weakening/strengthening of the ocean conveyer belt, fewer volcanic eruptions, and industrialization.

5 Indicators of Global Warming

Heat Waves are becoming more frequent

Shorter + Milder cold snaps

Snow + Ice cover is decreasing in the Northern hemisphere

Glaciers around the world are melting

Plant + animal species are moving to different latitudes or elevations.

Deforestation is responsible for 10-20% of the increase in carbon dioxide in the atm.

Solar Activity - Short time scale fluctuations in the amt of solar radiation can change global climates.

+ Increase in sunspots (dark, cool areas on the sun) correlates w/ warmer temps on Earth.

+ Decrease in sunspots correlates w/ cooler temps on Earth.

U.S. residents have on avg the largest per capita carbon footprint in the world compared to residents in other countries. Most residents in other countries have smaller carbon footprints than Americans do.

We have like 12 years to live sis idk.

4 Ways carbon enters + exits the atm

Photosynthesis - Carbon dioxide+ water vapor + sunlight = Oxygen

Respiration - CO2 leaves the biosphere and enters the atmosphere.

Organic decay - CO2 reacts to oxygen -> Carbon in the Atmosphere.

Combustion of organic material - Burning fossil fuels.