16 Global Climate Change CHAPTER

Rising Seas May Flood the Maldive Islands Sea levels are rising worldwide. Scientists link this to global climate change. Global climate change threatens the Maldives, a group of islands in the Indian Ocean, with flooding, severe storms, erosion, and saltwater contamination. Sea levels are rising worldwide. Scientists link this to global climate change. Global climate change threatens the Maldives, a group of islands in the Indian Ocean, with flooding, severe storms, erosion, and saltwater contamination. Talk About It Why are rising sea levels a concern for all people, not just those who live on the Maldives Islands?

Lesson 16.1 Our Dynamic Climate Without greenhouse gases, Earth would be too cold to support life.

The Greenhouse Effect A natural process in which greenhouse gases absorb heat and release it slowly back into the atmosphere The greenhouse effect is different then an actual greenhouse that traps warm air inside a structure. Greenhouse gases include CO 2, H 2 O and CH 4 (methane) A natural process in which greenhouse gases absorb heat and release it slowly back into the atmosphere The greenhouse effect is different then an actual greenhouse that traps warm air inside a structure. Greenhouse gases include CO 2, H 2 O and CH 4 (methane) Lesson 16.1 Our Dynamic Climate

The Effect of Latitude Latitude is a measure of a place’s distance from the equator. In general, the greater the latitude, the cooler a location’s overall climate will be. The seasons are caused by the changing angles at which sunlight strikes Earth as the Earth orbits the sun due to its tilt.seasons Lesson 16.1 Our Dynamic Climate

The Effect of Sunspots Sunspots are dark spots on the sun that emit more radiation then normal. The number of sunspots rise and fall in cycles that last about 11 years. Sunspots are dark spots on the sun that emit more radiation then normal. The number of sunspots rise and fall in cycles that last about 11 years.

Wind Caused by convection currents resulting from rising warm air and falling cool air Transports moisture and heat Global wind patterns move warm air away from equator, toward poles. Cold air moves from poles toward equator. Winds pick up moisture and can carry it for long distances until it falls as precipitation. Caused by convection currents resulting from rising warm air and falling cool air Transports moisture and heat Global wind patterns move warm air away from equator, toward poles. Cold air moves from poles toward equator. Winds pick up moisture and can carry it for long distances until it falls as precipitation. Lesson 16.1 Our Dynamic Climate

The Oceans and Climate Ocean currents, which are caused by a combination of unequal heating of water and unequal salinity, affect climate by transporting heat. Driven by thermohaline circulation Ocean currents, which are caused by a combination of unequal heating of water and unequal salinity, affect climate by transporting heat. Driven by thermohaline circulation Lesson 16.1 Our Dynamic Climate

Example of climate alteration due to ocean currents: Gulf Stream and Europe Thermo-: Temperature Warm = less dense due to expansion Cold = more dense due to contraction -haline: Salinity (salt) More salt = higher salinity= more mass = more dense Less salt = lower salinity = less mass = less dense Thermohaline Circulation

Did You Know? The ocean absorbs a lot of carbon dioxide, causing a global cooling effect. The ocean can hold 50 times more CO 2 than is found in the atmosphere.

Upwelling El Niño and La Niña are disruptions to normal climate patterns caused by variations in the typical interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere. El Niño and La Niña Deals with the trade winds and upwelling of cold, deep ocean water El Niño and La Niña are disruptions to normal climate patterns caused by variations in the typical interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere. El Niño and La Niña Deals with the trade winds and upwelling of cold, deep ocean water Strengthening trade winds = colder ocean Weakening trade winds = warmer ocean

How did El Nino get its name?

Other Factors That Affect Climate Lesson 16.1 Our Dynamic Climate Topography: Higher altitudes have cooler temperatures; mountain ranges affect rainfall patterns. Windward Leeward

Other Factors That Affect Climate Volcanoes: Gases and particles can temporarily block sunlight, causing air to cool. CO 2 released from volcanoes have warmed temperatures SO 2 /sulfuric acid in upper atmosphere acts like a mirror Volcanoes: Gases and particles can temporarily block sunlight, causing air to cool. CO 2 released from volcanoes have warmed temperatures SO 2 /sulfuric acid in upper atmosphere acts like a mirror

Other Factors That Affect Climate Vegetation: Plant life promotes cloud formation (reflects sunlight and increases precipitation) and absorbs carbon dioxide (cooling effect) More trees = higher albedo because they absorb U.V. radiation and visible light during photosynthesis

Earth’s orbit: Changes in Earth’s orbit (Milankovitch Cycles) and the tilt of Earth’s axis affect the distribution of solar radiation. Other Factors That Affect Climate Ice Ages occurred during elliptical pattern

Lesson 16.2 Climate Change According to NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, 2009 tied for second warmest year on record, just behind The decade spanning 2000–2009 was the warmest on record.

Evidence of a Warming Earth Lesson 16.2 Climate Change Rising global surface temperatures Changes in precipitation patterns Melting ice (glaciers, polar ice) Rising sea level Rising global surface temperatures Changes in precipitation patterns Melting ice (glaciers, polar ice) Rising sea level Did You Know? Since 1986, the Larsen Ice Shelf near Antarctica has lost an area more than 3 times the size of Rhode Island. Both photos show Sperry Glacier in Montana’s Glacier National Park. Top: 1913: Sperry Glacier in Montana’s Glacier National Park Bottom: 2008

Land subsidence plays a role in sea level. Notice Alaska….as glaciers melt land rises due to the loss of the weight Notice Texas…as we extract oil the land subsides and sea level increases Hyperlink to sea level rise model simulation Video about sea level rise in Maryland

Studying Climate Change Direct measurement is used to study today’s climate. CO 2 Sea level Temperature Precipitation Proxy indicators, such as patterns in tree rings, ice core data and sediment samples give clues about past climates. Direct measurement is used to study today’s climate. CO 2 Sea level Temperature Precipitation Proxy indicators, such as patterns in tree rings, ice core data and sediment samples give clues about past climates. Lesson 16.2 Climate Change

Using Tree Rings

Using Ice Core Data

Using Sediment Samples

Studying Climate Change Models are used to make predictions about future climates.

Finding the Cause of Climate Change Lesson 16.2 Climate Change According to studies, increases in greenhouse gases are the primary cause of climate change. The increase in greenhouse gases is mainly due to burning of fossil fuels and changes in land use. According to studies, increases in greenhouse gases are the primary cause of climate change. The increase in greenhouse gases is mainly due to burning of fossil fuels and changes in land use.

Finding the Cause of Climate Change Emissions of carbon dioxide due to changes in land use mainly come from the cutting down of forests and instead using the land for agriculture or built-up areas, urbanization, roads etc. When large areas of rain forests are cut down, the land often turns into less productive grasslands with considerably less capacity of storing CO 2.

Lesson 16.3 Effects of Climate Change In 2003, a severe heat wave in Europe killed 35,000 people.

Effects on Organisms Lesson 16.3 Effects of Climate Change Habitats shift, usually toward the poles or to higher altitudes. Migrations start earlier in the spring. Loss of ice makes hunting seals difficult for polar bears, walruses can not find sea ice to restLoss of ice makes hunting seals difficult for polar bears walruses can not find sea ice to rest Did You Know? Robins arrive on a Colorado mountaintop about 2 weeks earlier than they did in 1970.

Effects of a Changing Ocean An increase in ocean temperature is associated with a process called coral bleaching, in which algae living within corals die. Without the algae, coral cannot survive. Changes in ocean acidity, resulting from an increase in dissolved carbon dioxide, can harm organisms. What happens to the ocean’s ability to absorb CO2 as it warms? An increase in ocean temperature is associated with a process called coral bleaching, in which algae living within corals die. Without the algae, coral cannot survive. Changes in ocean acidity, resulting from an increase in dissolved carbon dioxide, can harm organisms. What happens to the ocean’s ability to absorb CO2 as it warms? Lesson 16.3 Effects of Climate Change The color of healthy brain coral comes from algae. When the algae die, coral bleaching occurs.

Current Effects of Global Climate Change Lesson 16.3 Effects of Climate Change Agriculture and forestry: Effects are complex. Can be positive: Lengthened growing season for some crops Can be negative: Droughts and forest fires Agriculture and forestry: Effects are complex. Can be positive: Lengthened growing season for some crops Can be negative: Droughts and forest fires

Current Effects of Global Climate Change Economy: Decreased yields from drought= higher price for food; increased property damage due to severe storms and climate conditions

Future Effects of Climate Change Diseases: Warmer temperatures can promote spread of diseases transmitted from animals to people. Sea level: Low-lying populated coastal areas may flood as sea levels rise. Water supply: Saltwater contamination of aquifers resulting from rising sea levels and a decrease in glacial ice may threaten freshwater supplies. Diseases: Warmer temperatures can promote spread of diseases transmitted from animals to people. Sea level: Low-lying populated coastal areas may flood as sea levels rise. Water supply: Saltwater contamination of aquifers resulting from rising sea levels and a decrease in glacial ice may threaten freshwater supplies. Lesson 16.3 Effects of Climate Change Did You Know? In the United States, 53% of the population lives in coastal areas. Black-legged ticks, known to spread Lyme disease

Lesson 16.4 Responding to Climate Change Fossil fuel combustion generates 70% of the electricity used in the United States. Energy conserving light bulbs

Only Two Ways to Respond…. 1.Adaptation: protecting people from effects of climate change Build sea walls Move away from coastlines Desalination 2.Mitigation: reducing greenhouse gas emissions Lowering your Carbon footprint: The amount of carbon dioxide for which an individual or group is responsible 1.Adaptation: protecting people from effects of climate change Build sea walls Move away from coastlines Desalination 2.Mitigation: reducing greenhouse gas emissions Lowering your Carbon footprint: The amount of carbon dioxide for which an individual or group is responsible

Use and Production of Electricity Most electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels. Reducing electricity use reduces carbon footprints. Ways to reduce electricity use: Use energy-efficient technologies, which lessen the electricity needed to do a job. Reduce the use of electrical devices and appliances….Energy Conservation Most electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels. Reducing electricity use reduces carbon footprints. Ways to reduce electricity use: Use energy-efficient technologies, which lessen the electricity needed to do a job. Reduce the use of electrical devices and appliances….Energy Conservation Lesson 16.4 Responding to Climate Change

Alternate Sources of Electricity Nuclear power Solar power Wind power Hydroelectric power Geothermal power Biomass power Nuclear power Solar power Wind power Hydroelectric power Geothermal power Biomass power Lesson 16.4 Responding to Climate Change

Nuclear Power Using heat from nuclear fission of U-235 to create steam to turn a turbine in order to generate electricity

Solar Power Using the energy from the sun to heat buildings and generate electricity Passive solar heating: building design Flat-plate solar collector: heats homes by using circulating water that is heated by the sun Photovoltaic cells: solar energy is converted into electricity Using the energy from the sun to heat buildings and generate electricity Passive solar heating: building design Flat-plate solar collector: heats homes by using circulating water that is heated by the sun Photovoltaic cells: solar energy is converted into electricity Concentrated Solar Power

Wind Power Form of solar power (the sun drives winds due to unequal heating) Converts wind’s kinetic energy into electrical energy using wind turbines Form of solar power (the sun drives winds due to unequal heating) Converts wind’s kinetic energy into electrical energy using wind turbines

Hydroelectric Power Use the kinetic energy of the moving water to turn turbines and generate electricity

Geothermal Power Using the heat of the earth to generate electricity

Biomass Energy Energy that is produced from biomass. Biomass: material that makes up living organisms such as wood, manure, and grain. Biofuels: ethanol, biodiesel Energy that is produced from biomass. Biomass: material that makes up living organisms such as wood, manure, and grain. Biofuels: ethanol, biodiesel

Transportation is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, second only to electricity. Advances in Vehicle Technology Lesson 16.4 Responding to Climate Change Energy Loss in a Car Alternatives to fuel-only cars include: Gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles Vehicles that use alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas Vehicles that use hydrogen fuel cells.

Reducing Dependence on Cars Biking, walking, and using public transportation are all ways to reduce fossil fuel use. Many communities lack good public transportation. Biking, walking, and using public transportation are all ways to reduce fossil fuel use. Many communities lack good public transportation. Lesson 16.4 Responding to Climate Change Did You Know? The average American family makes 10 trips by car each day.

Strategies for Reducing Greenhouse Gases Agriculture / forestry: Reduce soil erosion and replace cut trees, to curb CO 2 emissions Cap-and-Trade: System of emission allowances that can be sold or traded, gives companies incentive to reduce emissions Carbon tax: A tax per unit on emissions Carbon offsets: Instead of directly reducing emissions, companies can make a voluntary payment to a group that reduces or curbs greenhouse gases. Carbon sequestration: Technology is used to trap and store carbon dioxide emissions. Agriculture / forestry: Reduce soil erosion and replace cut trees, to curb CO 2 emissions Cap-and-Trade: System of emission allowances that can be sold or traded, gives companies incentive to reduce emissions Carbon tax: A tax per unit on emissions Carbon offsets: Instead of directly reducing emissions, companies can make a voluntary payment to a group that reduces or curbs greenhouse gases. Carbon sequestration: Technology is used to trap and store carbon dioxide emissions. Lesson 16.4 Responding to Climate Change

Cooperation Among Nations The Kyoto Protocol is a binding international effort to reduce greenhouse gases to below 1990 levels. The United States did not sign the Kyoto Protocol. Many nations are planning to develop a new binding agreement to address global climate change some time in the future. The Kyoto Protocol is a binding international effort to reduce greenhouse gases to below 1990 levels. The United States did not sign the Kyoto Protocol. Many nations are planning to develop a new binding agreement to address global climate change some time in the future. Lesson 16.4 Responding to Climate Change