climate change module 1
Identify overall trends in glaciers and snow cover
*arctic ice cap: -primarily located over over water that retains heat -ice coverage has declined *antartica: -ice sheets lost coverage annually -losing 127 gigatonnes of ice a year *greenland: -ice sheets lost coverage annually -losing 286 gigatonnes of ice a year -this is causing an increase in sea level
Interpret how severe weather events are linked to climate change (both number and severity of extreme weather events).
-many extreme weather events such as wildfires and precipitation extremes (droughts and high rainfall) are amplifies by climate change -average temperature in the U.S. has already increase 1.2 degrees with a projected increase of almost 2.5 degrees by 2050
Distinguish between the terms climate and weather including what factors influence each.
*climate: -the average weather patterns in a given area over time defined by average temperature and rainfall -amount of energy from the sun striking the surface of the planet -seasonal changes due to the tilt of earth on its axis *weather: -the day-to-day conditions in an area usually described by high and low temperatures and chances for precipitation
Explain the evidence climate change researchers are documenting across the scientific community.
*increasing due to climate changes -extreme weather events (heat waves, droughts, flooding, extreme precipitations) -temperature over land -air temperature near surface -temperature over ocean -ocean heat content -sea surface temperature -seal level -humidity *decreasing due to climate change: -glaciers -snow cover -sea ice
Explain the impact of climate change at the ecosystem and species level of biological organization.
*vector borne diseases -shift in range of disease carrying mosquitoes and ticks -increased potential to spread disease *heatwaves and droughts -more heat related deaths -disrupted agricultural practices *the pace of evolution -fast forwarded pace of extinction -habitat loss and changes in vegetation
What factors about the physical orientation of the Earth and topographical features influence climate?
-amount of energy striking earths surface -location of mountain ranges and bodies of water (topography) -seasons are caused by the earth being tilted 23 degrees of its axis
Identify the factors that are used to determine climate baselines and then establish change.
-amount of solar radiation striking the planet -activity on the surface of the planet (volcanic eruptions)
Over the past 100 years, what is the correlation between global carbon dioxide levels and temperature?
-co2 concentrations and global temperatures are a direct relationship -human activity is the major contributing cause of elevated co2 concentrations -anthropogenic climate change
In what ways does increased carbon dioxide affect ocean water and then marine organisms?
-co2 dissolves in water to form carbonic acid. carbonic acid increases H+ concentrations, causing the oceans pH to decrease and become more acidic. -increase in acidity, decreases the amount of carbonate in the ocean which gives animals a harder time forming shells and other structures
What processes naturally add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?
-fire and volcanic activity -breakdown of our food -plants use to produce carbohydrates
Define "greenhouse gases" and identify the role of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
-greenhouse gases: one of the most significant contributors to climate change that retain heat near the surface of the planet -some play an important role in maintaining a climate that supports life
Describe the role of methane in the atmosphere and its sources
-has the ability to retain and release almost 30 times the amount of heat as co2 -produced naturally during the decomposition of organic material -livestocks and landfills release methane -production of agricultural products such as rice
Provide the types of weather events related to climate change that scientists have the strongest evidence to support.
-heat waves -severe droughts -extreme precipitation -coastal flooding
Why are methane levels of such a concern related to the greenhouse effect?
-it is relatively unstable and stays in the atmosphere for about a decade -it also release 30 times more heat than co2 -it is major contributor to global warming and climate change
Differentiate between natural sources of carbon dioxide and human influenced sources.
-natural sources: fire and volcanic activity -animals&humans producing co2 as we break down foods -plants use co2 to produce carbohydrates -use of fossil fuels, changes in farming practices, and deforestation
Identify the primary source of energy for our planet and how greenhouse gases are related to capturing that energy.
-solar energy -the structure of water and carbon dioxide allows them to trap some of this energy and then re-release it slowly back into the atmosphere
Categorize the levels of biological organization and their interactions
-species: similar, interbreeding organisms -population: same species living in a particular area -community: different species interacting in given are -ecosystem: interaction of a community and the physical environment such as (climate) -biosphere: sum of the regions of earth where living organisms are found
What factor of climate does global warming not include?
-tornadoes and hurricanes ?
Explain how the properties of water are linked to climate change and weather.
-water has the ability to absorb heat -the ocean acts as a heat sink or storage location for heat energy
Identify and briefly describe other greenhouse gases and their sources.
-water vapor: associated with water cycle -nitrous oxides: agricultural practices (fertilizers and burning fossil fuels) ozone: interaction of solar energy with pollutants in lower atmosphere -chlorofluorocarbons: compounds used in refrigerants and used to make spray propellants
