Chapter 16 Global Climate Change

1. Weather = state of the atmosphere at a particular place at a particular moment. 2. Climate is the long-term weather conditions in a particular place. 3. Two cities may have the same kind of weather on the same day BUT have different climates. What is the difference between weather and climate? Lesson Our Dynamic Climate

The Greenhouse Effect 1. A natural process in which greenhouse gases absorb heat and release it slowly back into the atmosphere 2. Greenhouse gases absorb energy that has been converted to heat at Earth’s surface.

1. Latitude, atmospheric circulation patterns, oceanic circulation patterns, local geography, solar activity, and volcanic activity. 2. Most important factor= latitude

1. At the equator, sunlight hits the earth vertically and gets concentrated in an area. 2. Away from the equator, sunlight hits the Earth at an oblique angle and spreads over a large surface area. 3. The Earth is tilted 23.5° so the amount of sunlight varies as you get closer to the equator and during seasons.

The Effect of Latitude 4. Latitude is a measure of a place’s distance from the equator. 5. In general, the greater the latitude, the cooler a location’s overall climate will be. 6. The seasons are also caused by the changing angles at which sunlight strikes Earth.

Wind 1. Caused by convection currents resulting from rising warm air and falling cool air 2. Transports moisture and heat 3. Global wind patterns move warm air away from equator, toward poles. 4. Cold air moves from poles toward equator. 5. Winds pick up moisture and can carry it for long distances until it falls as precipitation.

1. Have a great effect on climate because water holds large amounts of heat 2. Caused mostly by winds and the rotation of the Earth; currents redistribute warm and cool masses of water 3. ENSO- periodic change in the location of warm and cold water masses in the Pacific Ocean. El Niño- water is warm La Niña- water is cool

Other Factors That Affect Climate 1.Topography: Higher altitudes have cooler temperatures; mountain ranges affect rainfall patterns. 2.Volcanoes: Gases and particles can temporarily block sunlight, causing air to cool. 3.Vegetation: Plant life promotes cloud formation and absorbs carbon dioxide. Did You Know? Ice ages are at least partially caused by changes in Earth’s orbit and axis. Mount St. Helens- Volcano in Washington