Return to Home Page Return to Home Page January 23, 2014 Introduction to GEOG 495: The Geographies of Climate Change

Big picture items Weather is short-term state of a particular region Climate is long-term average weather pattern in a particular region (land, ocean, atmosphere, water in 3 forms and living organisms=climate system) General circulation of atmosphere – winds transport heat from equator toward poles Oceans influence climate and weather- moderate temperatures & transport heat Ocean problems -> anoxia (lack of oxygen), acidifications, warming Greenhouse effect

Big picture items continued: Past 200 years human activities via fossil fuel consumption and land-use changes have increased all greenhouse gases ->+ ~0.8°C (1.4 ° F) CO 2 once in atmosphere causes climate change for ~1000 years (retention time) Key example of positive feedback-> +1 °C (1.8°F) change in atmospheric temperature caused by CO2 will stimulate water vapor increase causing another +1°C (1.8°F) temperature increase (positive feedback) Some aerosols (solid-vapor or liquid droplets-vapor mixture) in atmosphere and some clouds scatter sunlight offsetting warming to some degree, not all aerosols and not all clouds scatter sunlight (or equally scatter) Currently cars, trucks and buses are the greatest contributors to atmospheric warming 34 billion tons of carbon dioxide released into atmosphere annually from industrialization and deforestation

U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) coordinates climate change activities of 13 federal departments & agencies Source: “Climate Literacy: The Essential Principles of Climate Science” 7 principles: 1)Sun is primary source of energy for Earth’s climate system 2)Climate is regulated by complex interactions among components of the Earth system. 3)Life on Earth depends on, is shaped by, and affects climate. 4)Climate varies over space and time through both natural and human-made processes. 5)Observations, theoretical studies and modeling improve our understanding of the climate system. 6)Human activities are affecting the climate system. 7)Climate change will have consequences for Earth system and human lives.

Animations and Videos Global Circulation of the Atmosphere Atmospheric Circulation Ocean Currents Temperatures & Anomalies in Arctic Six Decades of a Warming Earth Thawing Permafrost-Changing Plant Water Cycle Coral Winners

Animations and Videos continued: NASA, “A Warming World” Global Warning what you need to know…. Ocean Pollution Coral Story Vital Role of the Oceans Speed of Ocean Change An Overview of Threats NSA Scientist James Hansen talks about the urgency of the climate crisis