Global Climate Global Climate ChangeChange

http://www.manskopf.com

Statement: “It has been so hot Statement: “It has been so hot this summer, must be that this summer, must be that

global warming”global warming”

GoalsGoals

►What is climate?What is climate?►What factors determine climate?What factors determine climate?►What causes seasonal changes?What causes seasonal changes?►What is the ozone layer and how is it What is the ozone layer and how is it

being altered?being altered?►Describe how human actions are Describe how human actions are

changing the make up of the Earth’s changing the make up of the Earth’s atmosphere and what are the potential atmosphere and what are the potential consequence of that.consequence of that.

Section 1: Climate and Section 1: Climate and SeasonsSeasons

GOALS:GOALS:►Explain the difference between Explain the difference between

weather and climate.weather and climate.► Identify four factors that determine Identify four factors that determine

climate.climate.►Explain why different parts of the Explain why different parts of the

Earth have different climates.Earth have different climates.►Explain what causes seasons.Explain what causes seasons.

WeatherWeather►State of the State of the

atmosphere at any atmosphere at any one time in a regionone time in a region

►What is today’s What is today’s weather like?weather like?

►What was the weather What was the weather like last summer?like last summer?

►What was the weather What was the weather on October 21ston October 21st

ClimateClimate

Climate: is the long-Climate: is the long-term average term average weather weather conditions in an conditions in an areaarea

►Seattle, Seattle, WashingtonWashington

►Phoenix, ArizonaPhoenix, Arizona►San Diego, Calif.San Diego, Calif.►Portland, MainePortland, Maine

Climate FactorsClimate Factors

1) Latitude: the 1) Latitude: the distance north distance north or south from or south from the equator the equator impacts a impacts a regions climateregions climate

►What is 0What is 0oo, 90, 90oo??►What is What is

Atlanta’s Atlanta’s latitude?latitude?

LatitudeLatitudeLatitude influences climate – because the amount of solar energy an area of Earth receives depends on its latitude.

More solar energy falls near the equator than the poles.

LatitudeLatitude

Greenland at noon in the summer

Dominican Republic Winter Sun

Climate FactorsClimate Factors

2) Atmospheric 2) Atmospheric Circulation: the Circulation: the direction the direction the wind comes from wind comes from impacts climateimpacts climate

►Which way Which way generally does generally does wind blow across wind blow across the U.S.?the U.S.?

Atmospheric CirculationAtmospheric CirculationPrevailing Winds: winds Prevailing Winds: winds

that blow predominantly that blow predominantly in one directionin one direction (caused (caused by Earth’s rotation)by Earth’s rotation)

► Westerlies - produced Westerlies - produced between the 30 and 60 between the 30 and 60 latitudeslatitudes

► Trade Winds - between Trade Winds - between 30 N/S and the equator30 N/S and the equator

► Polar Easterlies – from 60 Polar Easterlies – from 60 to the poles to the poles

Climate FactorsClimate Factors

3) Ocean Circulation 3) Ocean Circulation Patterns: Oceans Patterns: Oceans carry carry HEATHEAT from from the equator or cool the equator or cool waters from the waters from the polespoles

►Surface currents Surface currents caused by winds caused by winds and the rotation of and the rotation of the earth.the earth.

Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents

Climate FactorsClimate Factors4) Topography: 4) Topography:

the shape of the shape of the land the land influences influences climate climate greatlygreatly

►Mountains can Mountains can impact impact temperature temperature and and precipitation precipitation patternspatterns

Topography: Where do you think it Topography: Where do you think it snows the most in the U.S.?snows the most in the U.S.?

Can it snow near the Can it snow near the equator?equator?

TopographyTopography

Mountain ranges influence precipitation distribution. Warm air from the Pacific blows east, then hits the mountains and rises. As it rises, it cools which causes it to rain on the western side of the mountains. By the time the air reaches the eastern side of the mountains, it is dry = Rain Shadow Effect

What causes seasonal What causes seasonal changes?changes?

SeasonsSeasons

Seasons: Seasons: caused by caused by the fact the fact that that Earth’s Earth’s axis is axis is tilted at tilted at 23.523.5oo..

Section 1 ReviewSection 1 Review

►Explain the difference between Explain the difference between weather and climate.weather and climate.

► Identify four factors that determine Identify four factors that determine climate.climate.

►Explain why different parts of the Explain why different parts of the Earth have different climates.Earth have different climates.

►Explain what causes seasons.Explain what causes seasons.

Section 2: Global WarmingSection 2: Global Warming

GOALS:GOALS:► Explain how the greenhouse effect worksExplain how the greenhouse effect works► Describe why carbon dioxide is important in the Describe why carbon dioxide is important in the

atmosphere, but why scientists find it troubling atmosphere, but why scientists find it troubling that levels are risingthat levels are rising

► Analyze what a warmer world might look likeAnalyze what a warmer world might look like

►DO NOT CONFUSE OZONE DEPLETION DO NOT CONFUSE OZONE DEPLETION WITH GLOBAL WARMING!!!WITH GLOBAL WARMING!!!

Has Earth’s Climate Always Has Earth’s Climate Always Been Like Today’s?Been Like Today’s?

►How is it possible that How is it possible that you can find shark you can find shark teeth 20 miles from teeth 20 miles from the beach in NJ?the beach in NJ?

►How is it possible that How is it possible that you find fossils of you find fossils of Palm Trees in parts of Palm Trees in parts of Canada?Canada?

►Today, global Today, global average temp = average temp = 5959ooFF

Has Earth’s Climate Always Has Earth’s Climate Always Been Like Today’s?Been Like Today’s?

Over past 4.7 billion Over past 4.7 billion years climate has years climate has changed bychanged by

►Volcanic eruptionsVolcanic eruptions► Changes in solar outputChanges in solar output► Continents movingContinents moving►MeteoritesMeteorites►Natural variations in Natural variations in

COCO22

Some changes slow, Some changes slow, some quicklysome quickly

Why does a greenhouse stay warm in the winter?

Why does the inside of the car heat up quickly on a sunny day?

Greenhouse EffectGreenhouse Effect

►Naturally occurring Naturally occurring process in the process in the atmosphere where atmosphere where gases trap in heat.gases trap in heat.

►Like a blanket Like a blanket covering planetcovering planet

►Known about for Known about for over a centuryover a century

►Without it Earth Without it Earth would be COLDwould be COLD

Greenhouse GasesGreenhouse Gases

►Major greenhouse Major greenhouse gases includegases include

►Carbon DioxideCarbon Dioxide►Water VaporWater Vapor►MethaneMethane►CFCsCFCs►All act to trap in All act to trap in

heatheat

Greenhouse EffectGreenhouse Effect

We know from the past that COWe know from the past that CO22 levels tied closely to levels tied closely to

temperaturetemperature

We know from the past that COWe know from the past that CO22 levels tied closely to levels tied closely to

temperaturetemperature

Measuring COMeasuring CO22 Since 1958 in Mauna Loa HawaiiSince 1958 in Mauna Loa Hawaii

What does this data show?

What trends does it show?

Why does it go up and down each year?

Chemist Charles Keeling’s CO2 measurements

Why measure here?

CO2 rates rising quickly

1764 --- 276 ppm 1995 --- 360 ppm2010 --- 390 ppm

Rising CORising CO22 Levels Levels

►Never 390 ppm in last Never 390 ppm in last 420,000 years 420,000 years (possibly 20 million)(possibly 20 million)

► Continue to rise rapidlyContinue to rise rapidly►Most COMost CO22 in in

atmosphere is coming atmosphere is coming from burning fossil from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and fuels like coal, oil and natural gasnatural gas

►WHAT DOES THAT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE MEAN FOR THE FUTURE?FUTURE?

Where is the COWhere is the CO22 Coming Coming From?From?

42% Coal powerplants42% Coal powerplants

24% transportation24% transportation

20% industrial processes20% industrial processes

14% residential and 14% residential and commercial usagescommercial usages

Exhale, drive, turn on Exhale, drive, turn on light, burn log in firelight, burn log in fire

1 gallon of gas burned 1 gallon of gas burned equals 20 pounds of equals 20 pounds of COCO22

Where is the COWhere is the CO22 Coming Coming From?From?

Americans = 4.6% of Americans = 4.6% of the world’s the world’s population, yet 24% population, yet 24% of emissions of COof emissions of CO22

From just U.S. coal From just U.S. coal burning exceeds 146 burning exceeds 146 other nations with other nations with 3/43/4thth of world of world populationpopulation

Per capita, Americans Per capita, Americans release 500 tons release 500 tons yearlyyearly

What do these graphs tell you?

What do higher CO2 levels mean for our future climate?

It’s All About CarbonIt’s All About Carbon

►http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9943298

Global WarmingGlobal Warming

Earth’s global Earth’s global average average temperature temperature continues to rise continues to rise due to the increase due to the increase in greenhouse in greenhouse gases in the gases in the atmosphereatmosphere

How Can You Predict The How Can You Predict The Future?Future?

► Very Complex Very Complex Computer ModelsComputer Models

► Those models are Those models are saying…saying…

It is likely that the It is likely that the world will warm world will warm 1.41.4ooC to 5.8C to 5.8ooC C (2.5(2.5ooF to 10.4F to 10.4ooF) F) between 2000 and between 2000 and 21002100

Why Care? I would like a Why Care? I would like a warmer winter, and I Love warmer winter, and I Love

Beach WeatherBeach Weather

WHY CARE? It’s not like I can do WHY CARE? It’s not like I can do anything. Plus, I Love my car.anything. Plus, I Love my car.

Some potential benefits of global warming

Consequences of a Warmer Consequences of a Warmer EarthEarth

1) A Grand Experiment 1) A Grand Experiment With Potentially Major With Potentially Major ChangesChanges

2) Melting Ice = Higher 2) Melting Ice = Higher SeasSeas

3) Change in Weather 3) Change in Weather PatternsPatterns

4) Human Health 4) Human Health ProblemsProblems

5) Agriculture Changes5) Agriculture Changes

6) Effects to plants and 6) Effects to plants and animalsanimals

Maple Trees in VT and NH have been producing less and less maple syrup over last few decades.

Both photos show Sperry Glacier in Montana’s Glacier National Park. Top: 1913:Bottom: 2008

Many major cities in the world are below, near or just above sea level.

Florida after sea level rise of 5 meters

Impacts on OrganismsImpacts on Organisms•Habitats shift, usually toward the poles or to higher altitudes.

•Migrations start earlier in the spring.

•Loss of ice makes hunting seals difficult for polar bears

Impacts on the OceansImpacts on the Oceans• An increase in ocean An increase in ocean

temperature is temperature is associated with a associated with a process called process called coral coral bleachingbleaching..

• Changes in ocean Changes in ocean acidityacidity, resulting , resulting from an increase from an increase in dissolved carbon in dissolved carbon dioxide, can harm dioxide, can harm organisms.organisms.

Reducing RisksReducing Risks

Improve Efficiency of CarsImprove Efficiency of Cars

International AgreementsInternational Agreements►What make Global What make Global

Warming a difficult Warming a difficult issue for political issue for political leaders to deal with?leaders to deal with?

1) Complex Issue2) Consequences in Future3) Need behavior changes4) International5) Wealth Companies

International AgreementsInternational Agreements

►Why are international Why are international agreements needed?agreements needed?

►What makes them What makes them hard to negotiate?hard to negotiate?

►What differences What differences exist between the exist between the developed and developed and developing developing countries? countries?

Kyoto ProtocolKyoto Protocol

►1997 International 1997 International Treaty accepted by Treaty accepted by 160 countries to 160 countries to limit CO2 pollutionlimit CO2 pollution

►1990 levels by 1990 levels by 20122012

►U.S. did not ratifyU.S. did not ratify►New treaties trying New treaties trying

to negotiate to negotiate

Global Warming: What does the Global Warming: What does the future hold?future hold?

Section 2 ReviewSection 2 Review

►Explain how the greenhouse effect worksExplain how the greenhouse effect works►Describe why carbon dioxide is important Describe why carbon dioxide is important

in the atmosphere, but why scientists find in the atmosphere, but why scientists find it troubling that levels are risingit troubling that levels are rising

►Analyze what a warmer world might look Analyze what a warmer world might look likelike

►DO NOT CONFUSE OZONE DEPLETION DO NOT CONFUSE OZONE DEPLETION WITH GLOBAL WARMING!!!WITH GLOBAL WARMING!!!

(What are some similarities/differences)(What are some similarities/differences)

Agree or DisagreeAgree or Disagree

►Developed countries should help Developed countries should help countries with tropical rain forests so countries with tropical rain forests so those poorer countries can afford to those poorer countries can afford to leave their forests intact. leave their forests intact.

►Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring molecule and rising levels in our molecule and rising levels in our atmosphere should not be worried atmosphere should not be worried about. about.

Section 3: The Ozone ShieldSection 3: The Ozone Shield

GOALS:GOALS:►Explain how the ozone layer shields Explain how the ozone layer shields

the Earth from harmful radiation.the Earth from harmful radiation.►Describe how CFCs are damaging the Describe how CFCs are damaging the

ozone layer.ozone layer.►What are impacts for a thinner ozone What are impacts for a thinner ozone

layer.layer.

Why is the atmosphere Why is the atmosphere important?important?

Ozone LayerOzone LayerOzone Layer:Ozone Layer:►An area of the An area of the

stratosphere with stratosphere with high concentrations high concentrations of ozone gasof ozone gas

►Acts like a sun Acts like a sun screen blocking out screen blocking out UV raysUV rays

►Ozone = OOzone = O33

►Good ozone vs. Bad Good ozone vs. Bad OzoneOzone

The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere.

Ozone DepletionOzone DepletionThe ozone depletion is The ozone depletion is

largely due to: largely due to: Chlorofluorocarbons Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)(CFCs)

►Man-made chemicalMan-made chemical► ““Miracle Chemical”Miracle Chemical”►Damages the ozone Damages the ozone

layerlayer► Takes a LONG time to Takes a LONG time to

get to ozone layer get to ozone layer and destroys many and destroys many ozone moleculesozone molecules

CFCsCFCs► Used for decades in Used for decades in

refrigerants and refrigerants and aerosols aerosols

► Each CFC molecule Each CFC molecule can destroy can destroy 100,000 ozone 100,000 ozone molecules over molecules over decadesdecades

Ozone HoleOzone Hole

Antarctic Ozone Levels

Impacts of Thinning Ozone Impacts of Thinning Ozone LayerLayer

► Damage to skin cells Damage to skin cells (including skin cancers)(including skin cancers)

► Damage to eyesDamage to eyes► UV Light damages DNAUV Light damages DNA► Kills phytoplankton Kills phytoplankton

(single-celled (single-celled organisms) which are organisms) which are the base of most ocean the base of most ocean food chainsfood chains

► UV light damages cropsUV light damages crops

Wide Ranging ImpactsWide Ranging Impacts

Protecting the Ozone LayerProtecting the Ozone LayerMontreal Protocol: Montreal Protocol:

international international agreement in 1987 to agreement in 1987 to phase out CFC usagephase out CFC usage

►Second conference in Second conference in 1992 in Copenhagen 1992 in Copenhagen

►WHY WILL IT STILL BE WHY WILL IT STILL BE A PROBLEM FOR A PROBLEM FOR MANY MORE MANY MORE DECADES?DECADES?

Section ReviewSection Review►Explain how the ozone layer shields the Explain how the ozone layer shields the

Earth from harmful radiation.Earth from harmful radiation.►Describe how CFCs are damaging the Describe how CFCs are damaging the

ozone layer.ozone layer.►What are impacts for a thinner ozone What are impacts for a thinner ozone

layer.layer.►DO NOT CONFUSE OZONE DEPLETION DO NOT CONFUSE OZONE DEPLETION

WITH GLOBAL WARMING!!!WITH GLOBAL WARMING!!!

(What are some similarities/differences)(What are some similarities/differences)

►http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUfVMogIdr8