The Climate System Lecture 1 Ecological Climatology
Why does climate vary from place to place?
Ocean Circulation
Why does climate vary from place to place?
Causes of Climate Change
Earth’s Orbital Characteristics Gradual changes in the tilt of Earth’s axis relative to its orbit around the sun at a cycle of 41,000 years
Gradual changes in the eccentricity of Earth’s orbit around the sun occur at a cycle of 100,000 years Earth’s Orbital Characteristics
Changes in the timing of the Perihelion and Aphelion cause changes in the amount of solar radiation received on 22,000 year cycle Earth’s Orbital Characteristics
Methane Orbital monsoon theory: more sun → more monsoon → more methane less sun → less monsoon → less methane
Methane Agriculture originated independently in areas shown in black
Carbon Dioxide
By 2,000 years ago, sophisticated forms of agriculture were practiced in naturally forested areas of China, India, southern Europe, and Mediterranean North Africa
Overdue Glaciation A natural cooling trend in the Northern Hemisphere should have passed the threshold for initiated a new glaciation several thousand years ago
Overdue Glaciation When greenhouse gases of human origin are removed From the atmosphere in a climate-model run…
Overdue Glaciation
Impacts of Disease of Climate