Changes in Climate Earth Science Mr. Barry

Ice Ages Ice Age: period of extensive glacial coverage, producing long-term climatic changes Average global temperatures decrease by 5˚ C Last Ice Age ended 10,000 years ago, covered northern USA plus parts of Europe and Asia

Short-Term Changes Seasons: short-term periods of climatic change caused by regular variations in daylight, temperature, and weather patterns These changes are a result of the amount of solar radiation a location receives Cause by tilting of the Earth as it revolves around the Sun

Short-Term Changes El Nino: warm ocean current that develops off the western coast of South America that causes short-term climatic changes felt worldwide Extended periods of rain cause warmer temperatures leading to heavier than usual rainfall and flooding in some areas

Natural Changes Climate changes are natural and have been occurring for many years Solar Activity: sunspot cycles can cause warmer and colder temperatures on Earth Earth’s Orbit: the Earth’s orbit goes from circular to elliptical over the course of a 100,000 year cycle

Natural Changes Earth’s Wobble: over a period of 26,000 years Earth wobbles as it rotates. This will eventually lead to a change in Earth’s seasons Volcanic Activity: large amounts of ash get caught in the atmosphere, blocking the Sun and causing cooler than normal conditions

The Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse Effect: natural heating of Earth’s surface by certain atmospheric gases, which helps keep Earth warm enough to sustain life This is necessary for life to survive on Earth

Greenhouse Effect & Global Warming An increase in the Greenhouse Effect could lead to temperatures in excess of what we could survive (470+˚ C) The balance of the gases that cause the Greenhouse Effect (mainly CO2) is vital to regulating Earth’s temperature Adding to the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere can cause the overall average temperature of the Earth to rise

Global Warming Global Warming: rise in global temperatures due to increases in atmospheric CO2 Deforestation: removal of trees lowers the amount of organisms using CO2 to live, thus increasing the amount in the atmosphere Burning Fossil Fuels: burning of fossil fuels releases CO2 as a waste product