The Oceans Flowing Through Our Veins

Hydrologic Cycle Terminology

Evaporation: Change of a liquid to a gasTranspiration: Water loss from plants through leaf

poresCondensation: Phase change from water vapor to a

liquidPrecipitation: Atmospheric moisture formed in the air

that falls to the surfaceSurface Runoff: Surface water flow that contributes to

water bodiesMelt runoff: Water movement from melting snow down

into streams and lakesPercolation/Infiltration: The movement of water

during rainfall into the soilGroundwater flow: Subsurface water flow that

contributes to water bodies

Journey of the Water Moleculehttp://www.planetguide.net/book/chapter_2/

water_cycle.htmlWater Cycle

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change IPCC, 2006

Global Climate Change

Kyoto Protocol The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations

Framework Convention on Climate Change. The major feature of the Kyoto Protocol is that it sets binding targets for 37 industrialized countries and the European community for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions .These amount to an average of five per cent against 1990 levels over the five-year period 2008-2012.

The major distinction between the Protocol and the Convention is that while the Convention encouraged industrialised countries to stabilize GHG emissions, the Protocol commits them to do so.

Recognizing that developed countries are principally responsible for the current high levels of GHG emissions in the atmosphere as a result of more than 150 years of industrial activity, the Protocol places a heavier burden on developed nations under the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities.”

The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005. 184 Parties of the Convention have ratified its Protocol to date. The detailed rules for the implementation of the Protocol were adopted at COP 7 in Marrakesh in 2001, and are called the “Marrakesh Accords.”

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

May 2008,

Participation in the Kyoto Protocol, where dark green indicates countries that have signed and ratified the treaty, yellow is signed, but not yet ratified, grey is not yet decided and red is no intention of ratifying.

Kyoto expires 2012 next international conference on Global Climate Change to occur in Bali.

Climate Science TodayScientist Comments

Carbon SequestrationTerrestrial Sequestration

Forest and Soil managementOcean SequestrationCarbon storage underground

Increase marine primary productivityInjection of liquid CO2 into the sea floor

Concerns: Ocean chemistry (acidity)