Unit 4: Global Challenge Introduction to Atmospheric Processes Aim: What is the importance of weather & climate? Key questions… What is the difference between weather & climate? Why is the recording of weather significant? What effects can weather have on us? THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Weather The state of the atmosphere at a specific time and at any one place Climate Average weather conditions for a place over a lengthy period of time (30+ years). Read p.6-8 Global Challenges… 1.Study figures 1-4 and write notes on the following for each: (a) the nature of the weather issue (b) the effects of the weather on human activity (c) why these issues are relevant for geographical study 2.“Human beings are at the mercy of weather” –to what extent do you agree?

We must be aware of the news in geography… Where are these weather/ climate issues taking place? Who are they affecting? At what scale are the impacts felt? Can they be managed? New Orleans, USA, September 2005 Heat wave, UK, July 2006 Aral Sea, Central Asia Hurricane Mitch, 1998 Great storms, UK 1987 Famine in drought gripped Southern Africa Coastal flooding Forest fires Fuel prices rise Increasing number of low-cost airlines Penguin populations decline by 33% in 25 years as Antarctica’s ice shrinks

You will need to revise and improve your understanding of atmospheric systems to be able to engage with this unit fully… 1.Make notes on structure & composition of earth’s atmosphere (Waugh p ) 2.Read through student notes on isolation & the solar budget Is there anything you don’t understand? Refer to your glossary for unit