Global Climate Change Visual Vocabulary

Learning Objectives SC.912.E.7.7: Identify, analyze, and relate the internal (Earth system) and external (astronomical) conditions that contribute to global climate change SC.912.E.7.8: Explain how various atmospheric, oceanic, and hydrologic conditions in Florida have influenced and can influence human behavior, both individually and collectively

Climate It is the long-time average weather conditions that occur in a particular area

Global Climate Global climate is the average climate over the entire planet. The planet is warming up fast—faster than at any time scientists know about from their studies of Earth's entire history. Global Climate is divided up to Global Climate Zones. Polar - very cold and dry all year Temperate - cold winters and mild summers Arid - dry, hot all year Tropical - hot and wet all year Mediterranean - mild winters, dry hot summers Mountains (tundra) very cold all year

Global Climate Change Global change is a broad term that refers to changes in the global environment, including climate change, ozone depletion, and land- use change. A long-term change in the earth’s climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature. Climate change also means major changes in temperature, rainfall, snow, or wind patterns lasting for decades or longer. Melting glaciers imply that life in the Arctic is affected by climate change.

Volcanic Dust Fine particles of rock powder that are blown out from a volcano and that stay in the atmosphere for long periods producing climatic changes thousands of miles away.

Air Pollution The presence of a substance in the air which has harmful or poisonous effects. Examples include diesel exhaust and other forms of air pollution"

Acid Rain Rainfall that is made acidic by atmospheric pollution that it causes environmental harm, typically to forests and lakes. The main cause is the massive burning of coal and other fossil fuels, which combine with water in the atmosphere to form acid rain.

Global Warming The rise in Earth’s average surface temperature during the past 100 years is known as Global Warming.

Greenhouse Effect The warming of the earth's atmosphere that occurs when the sun's radiation passes through the atmosphere, is absorbed by the earth, and is given off as radiation which can be absorbed by atmospheric gases (as carbon dioxide and water vapor)

Greenhouse Gases A gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation, e.g., carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons

Fossil Fuels (burning) A natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.

Aerosols Aerosols are particles suspended in the atmosphere. When these particles are sufficiently large, we notice their presence as they scatter and absorb sunlight. Their scattering of sunlight can reduce visibility (haze).

Aerosol Effects Interactions between clouds, aerosols, and precipitation and the impacts water cycle This is an example of how human activities can impact the global climate system

Deforestation The large scale cutting and/or burning of forest. It also gives off lots of Carbon Dioxide from the burning of trees as well as less oxygen for living organisms to use for respiration.

Flashfloods A sudden and rapid local flood, typically due to heavy rain

Floods A flood is an overflow of water that submerges land which is usually dry.

Drought A drought is a period of below-average precipitation in a given region, and has long periods of shortages in its water supply.

Wildfires An uncontrolled fire in an area of combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside (i.e., not in an urban area)

Energy Alternatives Alternative energy sources are renewable and are thought to be "free" energy sources. They all have lower carbon emissions, compared to conventional energy sources. These include Biomass Energy, Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Geothermal Energy, Hydroelectric Energy sources

Conservation The action of conserving something, in particular preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment, natural ecosystems, vegetation, and wildlife.

Migration The physical movement of living organisms (animals and humans) from one place to another