Chapter 14 Greenhouse effect and Global Warming

Clouds

Act as a positive feedback by absorbing and admitting radiation that would otherwise be lost

Climate System is Composed of 5-

Atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere, and cryosphere

Why Is the IPCC so Important

Because of its scientific and intergovernmental nature, the IPCC embodies a unique opportunity to provide rigorous and balanced scientific information to decision makers

CFC's And HCFC's

CFC's Are manufactured chemicals- are often used in coolants, foaming agents, fire extinguishers, solvents, pesticides, and aerosol propellants. HCFC's-Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) —Chemical compounds that contain hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon atoms.

1. Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas that is contributing to recent climate change. CO2 is absorbed and emitted naturally as part of the carbon cycle, through plant and animal respiration, volcanic eruptions, and ocean-atmosphere exchange. Human GHE: Human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and changes in land use, release large amounts of CO2, causing concentrations in the atmosphere to rise.

C)How Should Coastal Cities Prepare for sea level rise and coastal Flooding?

Coastal cities can prepare for climate change by protecting or restoring natural shoreline buffers like sand dunes and wetlands, improving storm drainage systems, and building protective barriers where necessary.

Higher Minimum Temp

Decreased Cold- Related human morbidity and mortality Decreased Risk of damage to a number of crops and increased risk to others Extended Range and Activity of some pest and disease vectors Reduced Heating Energy Demand

21st Century impacts of Global warming-

Human influences,(cities) Changes in ocean circulation Human Burning land use Changes in outgoing radiation

increase in Tropical Cyclone activity-

Increase risks to human life Risk of infectious disease epidemics Increase Coastal Erusion, Damage to coastal reefs

Higher Precipitation-

Increased flood, Landslide, avalanche, and mudflow damage Increased Soil Erosion Increased Recharge of floodpain Increase pressure on government for disasters

Higher Max Temp

Increased incidence of death and serious illness Increased heat stress in livestock Shift in tourist destinations Increased risk of damage to a number of crops

E) What do we want the Government to do?

Invest in nuclear power, Kill the keystone pipeline, New regulations on coal, Invest in solar energy Protect our oceans

Coastal Flooding to Sea Levels-

Many Homes destroyed, Beaches gone, Farming crops destroyed, all grass dead due to salt

2. Methane

Methane (CH4) is produced through both natural and human activities. For example, natural wetlands, Bacteria, swamp areas Human GHE: agricultural activities, and fossil fuel extraction such as coal and drilling for oil and transport all emit CH4.

F)How can we be more Sustainable?

No plastic, Green your home new lightbulbs, Drive less

Evil twin

Ocean acidification has been called the "evil twin" of global warming because the same carbon dioxide emissions that cause climate change also dissolve into seawater, threatening the world's oceans.

4 Most Important naturall GHG

Plate Tectonics- Rearraning Earth's Continetts, Moving closer or father away from the equator. Volcanic Activity- Changing the selectivity and composition of the atmosphere Variations in Earths orbit- Solar Variability- Changes in the Sun's radiation output

Reduction In Sea ice-

Positive Feedback because surface albedo Decreases, the amount of energy at the surface increases

D)What Can we do as Individual Consumers to prevent global climate change?

Reusable Bags, Unplug phone chargers, Shut lights off when not in use, Buy in bulk, Reusable bags, Carpooling, usuable water bottles

B) What to do with Investments In Fossil Fuel Companies?

Sell any holdings in the top 200 companies with the most fossil fuel reserves. If you are invested in mutual funds, switch to fossil fuel free funds and urge your fund companies to offer fossil fuel company-free options.

Ozone Depletion

The Main Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) The most widely used ODS, accounting for over 80% of total stratospheric ozone depletion. Used as coolants in refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners in buildings and cars manufactured before 1995. Found in industrial solvents, dry-cleaning agents and hospital sterilants. Also used in foam products — such as soft-foam padding (e.g. cushions and mattresses) and rigid foam (e.g. home insulation). Halons Used in some fire extinguishers, in cases where materials and equipment would be destroyed by water or other fire extinguisher chemicals. In B.C., halons cause greater damage to the ozone layer than do CFCs from automobile air conditioners. Methyl Chloroform Used mainly in industry — for vapour degreasing, some aerosols, cold cleaning, adhesives and chemical processing. Carbon Tetrachloride Used in solvents and some fire extinguishers. Hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs) HCFCs have become major, "transitional" substitutes for CFCs. They are much less harmful to stratospheric ozone than CFCs are. But HCFCs they still cause some ozone destruction and are potent greenhouse gases.

Sea Level Rises Factors-

Thermal Expansion- Higher Air Tempatures warm the adjacent upper layers of the ocean, which in turn causes the water to expand and sea level to rise Melting Glaciers- Causes sea level to rise by producing absurd amounts of water

Positive Feedback-

These effects reinforce initial change

Ice Cores

They give clues about every year of Earth's history back to the time the deepest layer was formed. The ice contains bubbles of the air from each year. Scientists analyze the bubbles in each layer to see how much CO2 they contain.

Negative Feedbacks-

They produce results just the opposite of the initial change and tend to offset.

Increase in Droughts-

Will likely cause wildfires, impact farming and supply of water

A) How to increase the pace of the adoption of renewable energy sources as we begin to transition away from fossil fuels

Wind and solar energy do not create dangerous waste products and are indigenous, secure and freely available.

What Is A GCM

is a type of climate model. It employs a mathematical model of the general circulation of a planetary atmosphere or ocean. It uses the Navier-Stokes equations on a rotating sphere with thermodynamic terms for various energy sources (radiation, latent heat).

Tropospheric ozone

is formed by the interaction of sunlight , which are emitted by automobiles, gasoline vapors, fossil fuel power plants, refineries, and certain other industries.

3. Nitrous oxide

is produced through natural and human activities, mainly through agricultural activities, and natural biological processes. Human GHE: Nitrogen Fertilizer to boost crop yields.

What Is the IPCC

is the leading international body for the assessment of climate change.

Tundra Methane-

is the release of methane from seas and soils in permafrost regions of the Arctic, due to deglaciation. While a long-term natural process, it may be exacerbated by global warming. This results in a positive feedback effect, as methane is itself a powerful greenhouse gas.

4. Water Vapor

water vapor is controlled by temperature, which influences overall rates of evaporation and precipitation.