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Global Atmospheric Changes

Global Atmospheric Changes. The Atmosphere and Climate. Solar Radiation and Climate Insolation = sunshine Major determinant of climate Makes life on Earth possible Liquid water Warm planet Photosynthesis Powers Earth’s biogeochemical cycles Drives winds and ocean currents.

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Global Atmospheric Changes

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  1. Global Atmospheric Changes

  2. The Atmosphere and Climate • Solar Radiation and Climate • Insolation = sunshine • Major determinant of climate • Makes life on Earth possible • Liquid water • Warm planet • Photosynthesis • Powers Earth’s biogeochemical cycles • Drives winds and ocean currents

  3. Global Climate Change • Earth’s average temperature is increasing • Based on daily measurements taken by: • Meteorological stations, weather balloons, sea-surface buoys • NOAA: global temperatures in1995 and 2001–2009 may have been highest in the last 1000 yrs • Spring in Northern Hemisphere comes 6 days earlier than in 1959, Autumn comes 5 days later • Increase in heat waves, heat-related deaths • Sea levels rising, glaciers retreating, more severe hurricanes

  4. Global Climate Change • Scientific Consensus: • Human activities are largely responsible for current climate change • IPCC: United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Predicts • 1.8 to 4.0 °C (3.2-7.2 °F) increase in global temperature by 2100 • Higher maximum temperatures • More hot days, fewer cold days • Increase in heat index • Changes in precipitation patterns

  5. NASA Statement

  6. Global Climate Change • Causes: • Increase of atmospheric gases due to human activities -- Greenhouse gases: • Carbon Dioxide (CO2) • Nitrous Oxide (N20) • Methane (CH4) • Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) • Ozone (O3) • Water (H2O) - steady amount-does not increase due to human activity

  7. Rise in Carbon Dioxide Concentration in the Atmosphere

  8. More CO2 more heat in atmosphere– more transferred back to surface

  9. Global Climate Change • Aerosols tend to cool the atmosphere • Reflect sunlight into space • Cooling effect much weaker than enhanced greenhouse effect • Human and natural causes of aerosols • Sulfur emissions from fossil fuels • Volcanic eruptions

  10. Global Climate Change • Effects of Climate Change: • Sea-level rise • Polar ice caps and continental glacier melts • Warm water expands in volume • Changes in precipitation patterns • More droughts in some areas • More flooding in some areas • Fresh water availability

  11. Global Climate Change • Effects of Climate Change: • Impacts on agriculture • Rising sea levels will flood deltas • Pests will become more prevalent • No irrigation water • Productivity may increase in some areas

  12. Global Climate Change • Effects of Climate Change: • Impacts on human health • Heat-related illnesses • Disease-carrying mosquitoes will expand their range and transmit more malaria, Dengue fever, yellow fever

  13. Global Climate Change • Effects of Climate Change: • Impact on biodiversity and ecosystems • Warmer oceans lead to decline in populations of krillsilverfishAdelie penguins • Warmer temperatures makes frogs more susceptible to fungal diseases • Polar seas, coral reefs, coastal wetlands, tundra • Ocean acidification • Coral bleaching

  14. Global Climate Change • Mitigation • Develop alternatives to fossil fuels • Reduce energy use • Increase energy efficiency • Plant and maintain forests • Carbon Management • Trap CO2 from smokestacks • Sequester CO2 into geological formations or depleted oil/gas wells

  15. Global Climate Change • Adaptation • Move coastal settlements inland • Construct sea walls on coastal areas • Prevent saltwater intrusion • Find substitute crops to grow on warming land • Develop heat and drought resistant crops/trees • City planning • Sewer systems • Storm runoff

  16. Summary

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