Climate Alteration and Global Change Chapter 19 Climate Alteration and Global Change

Global change includes global climate change and global warming.

Could it be because 160 members of the 113th Congress have taken more than $55.5 million from the fossil fuel industry? Youtube bill Nye and congress woman on climate change

America's single largest CO2 emitting coal-fired power plant—Georgia Power's Plant Scherer south of Atlanta. In 2011, that coal plant released more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than the entire state of Maine.

Examples include past natural periods of cold temperatures (ice ages) Global Change Global change: any chemical, biological, or physical change in the properties of the planet Examples include past natural periods of cold temperatures (ice ages)

We are seeing more severe weather Global Change Global climate change: changes in the climate (average weather) of the Earth. We are seeing more severe weather Global warming: one aspect of climate change, the warming of the oceans, land masses, and atmosphere of the Earth

Solar radiation and greenhouse gases make our planet warm.

The Greenhouse Effect SUN ⅓ Earth The ultimate source of almost all energy on Earth is the Sun. When radiation from the Sun hits the atmosphere, clouds, and surface of the earth, almost ⅓ is reflected away back into space: SUN ⅓ solar radiation reflected into space Earth Key Idea#2: Explain how solar radiation and greenhouse gases warm our planet. 8

The Greenhouse Effect Some of the UV portion of the remaining radiation is then absorbed by the ozone layer . The rest of the remaining solar radiation strikes and is absorbed by the clouds and Earth’s surface. It is then re-emitted into the atmosphere as low- energy infrared radiation. Key Idea #2: Explain how solar radiation and greenhouse gases warm our planet. 9

The Greenhouse Effect Much of this infrared radiation is taken up by the atmospheric greenhouse gases. These gases are warmed and also radiate infrared energy back to Earth. Collectively, these processes cause warming on the planet. We are supposed to have CO2 in our atmosphere. It is natural, just not this much. Key Idea #2: Explain how solar radiation and greenhouse gases warm our planet. 10

Greenhouse Gases Water vapor Carbon dioxide Methane Nitrous oxide Ozone The major reason why we have more greenhouse gases is because we have more people who have more money. Developed countries produce the most carbon emissions

Natural Greenhouse Gases Volcanic eruptions: mainly carbon dioxide Methane: from decomposition Nitrous oxide: from denitrification Water vapor

Ash from volcanic eruptions can also cause global dimming

Livestock produce a lot of methane 1 cow can produce 1/2 pound of methane per day.

Anthropogenic Sources of Greenhouse Gases Burning of fossil fuels Agricultural practices Deforestation Landfills Industrial production: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are one example

CFC’s are have the 2nd highest warming potential after CO2

Anthropogenic sources of greenhouse gases in the United States.

Changes in CO2 and global temperatures have been linked for millennia.

Increasing CO2 Concentrations Charles David Keeling began measuring CO2 in 1958.

Emissions from the Developed (Total vs. per capita emissions) and Developing World (Total vs. per capita emissions) China is the leading country but we produce more per person than they do.

In a very rough approximation the following trace gases contribute to the greenhouse effect: 60% water vapor 20% carbon dioxide (CO2) Water has a high heat capacity and therefore hold heat from infra red radation.

Global Temperatures Since 1880 Since 1880 temperatures have increased 0.8°C. Scientists also compare isotopic oxygen found in ice cores (O218 ) is more common in warm temperatures

https://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=zORv8wwiadQ True or false global warming The Most Terrifying Video You'll Ever See Chart on Debate of global warming

Temperatures and Greenhouse Gas Concentrations in Past 400,000 Years We indirectly measure temperature changes over thousands of years in a number of ways, including: Changes in species compositions Chemical analyses of ice (CO2 and O218 )

The IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change) was created by the UN to monitor climate change 28

Putting It Together We know an increase in CO2 level in the atmosphere causes a greater capacity for warming through the greenhouse effect. Coal releases the most CO2, and mercury

As a result, the oceans release CO2 into the atmosphere. Putting It Together When Earth experiences higher temperatures, oceans warm and cannot contain as much CO2 gas. This loss of gas from warmer water is what causes a can of warm carbonated soda to foam over when opened. As a result, the oceans release CO2 into the atmosphere.

Altogether, this is a cyclical effect: Putting It Together Altogether, this is a cyclical effect: A warmer Earth causes the ocean’s to release CO2 Higher CO2 concentrations warm the Earth through the Greenhouse Effect This causes a release of yet more CO2 gas from the oceans … and so on …

Feedback Systems Key Idea #4: Describe the importance of feedback loops in the process of global warming. 34

Feedback Systems Decomposers break down organic matter faster in warm temperatures. Key Idea #4: Describe the importance of feedback loops in the process of global warming. 35

Feedback Systems Melting permafrost is also releasing a lot of CO2 and methane that was stored and frozen Key Idea #4: Describe the importance of feedback loops in the process of global warming. 36

Consequences to the Environment because of Global Warming Melting of polar ice caps, Greenland and Antarctica Melting of many glaciers around the world Melting of permafrost Rising sea levels due to the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, and because warm water expands Currently, Hawaii is losing 5 inches of beach per year. Key Idea #5: Identify how global warming is affecting people and the environment. 37

Consequences to the Environment because of Global Warming Heat waves Cold spells Global changes in precipitation patterns Increases in storm intensity Huricane Katrina Global shifts in ocean currents Loss of seasonal drinking water Increase in diseases from insects Plants bloom earlier, animals hibernate later, but feeding cycles may be altered. (birds hatch earlier but the insects they eat do not.)

Rising Sea Levels

Greenland Ice Melt About ½ of Greenland’s ice melts and then quickly re-freezes each year. In 2013, 97% melted (Red is ice melt in July)

Higher temperatures leads to more droughts, less food Consequences to Living Organisms Wild plants and animals will be affected in both predictable and unpredictable ways. Growing season for plants is changing, becoming longer or shorter in different areas. Organisms may be harmed if they can’t migrate to more suitable climates. Higher temperatures leads to more droughts, less food

Coral Bleaching Algae leaving their symbiotic hosts. Hot temperatures or pH changes cause this

Consequences to Living Organisms Humans may have to relocate due to coastal and island flooding. Rates of diseases such as those carried by mosquitoes (malaria, yellow fever) could increase. These could spread into areas only recently freed from their burden (e.g., southeast United States). There will be economic consequences.

The Controversy of Climate Change The fundamental basis for climate change is that greenhouse gas concentrations are increasing and that this will lead to global warming. This fact is not in dispute among the vast majority of scientists.

The Controversy of Climate Change What is unclear is how much world temperatures will increase for a given change in greenhouse gases. This depends on the different feedback loops.

The Kyoto Protocol In 1997, representatives of the nations of the world went to Kyoto, Japan to discuss how best to control the emissions contributing to global warming. The USA is the ONLY developed country to NOT sign this. Can you believe it?????? Key Idea #6: Discuss how the Kyoto Protocol aims to reduce global warming. 47

The agreement was that: The Kyoto Protocol The agreement was that: Emissions of greenhouse gases from industrialized countries will be reduced to 5.2% below their 1990 levels by 2012. Developing nations (including China and India) did not have emission limits imposed by the protocol. Key Idea #6: Discuss how the Kyoto Protocol aims to reduce global warming. 48

In 2005, U. S. President George W In 2005, U.S. President George W. Bush said in a Danish TV interview aired Thursday that adhering to the Kyoto treaty on climate change would have "wrecked" the U.S. economy, and called U.S. dependence on Middle East oil a national security problem. Kyoto would have “Kyoto would have wrecked our economy. I couldn't in good faith have signed Kyoto," Bush said, noting that the treaty didn't require other "big polluters" such as India and China to cut emissions. Kyoto climate change treaty sputters to a sorry end in 2012. Kyoto Protocol aimed for 5% cut in carbon emissions — instead, we got a 58% increase CBS News

Kyoto Treaty aimed to reduce each below

Involves taking the Greenhouse gas CO2 out of the atmosphere Carbon Sequestration Involves taking the Greenhouse gas CO2 out of the atmosphere Some methods include: storing carbon in agricultural soils retiring agricultural land and allowing it to become pasture or forest

Carbon Sequestration Researchers are looking at other cost- effective ways of capturing CO2 from the air and emission sources such as coal-burning power stations. This captured CO2 would be compressed and pumped into abandoned oil wells or the deep ocean.

Review Questions What is global change? How is this different from global warming? Where does most of the energy on Earth come from? In what forms does it come to Earth?

Review Questions What happens to about ⅓ of the solar radiation that strikes the Earth? Why is the phenomenon called the “Greenhouse Effect”? Explain how the Greenhouse Effect operates. What are some greenhouse gases?

Review Questions Which greenhouse gas has the strongest effect? What are some sources of natural greenhouse gases? Over what period of time have changes in CO2 levels and temperatures been linked?

Review Questions How do emissions from the developing and developed nations compare? What has happened to global temperatures since 1880? What is the trend in the link between CO2 levels and temperature over the last 400,000 years?

Review Questions How are gas levels from the past measured? How do feedback loops impact climate change? What are some consequences of global warming for the environment? For organisms and humans?

Review Questions What impact will rising sea levels have on human life? What controversy exists over climate change? What is the Kyoto Protocol? How can carbon sequestration help limit global warming?