Climate change

carbon capture and storage (CCS)

the process of isolating carbon from the environment and finding a place to store it so it is not released into the atmosphere.

rate of change

the speed at which a process occurs

Global warming

the increase in surface temperatures, both surface air and surface water, as a part of global climate change

Atmosphere

the mixture of gases that surrounds the planet's surface

Little ice age Facts:

climate interval that occurred from the early 14th century through the mid-19th century, when mountain glaciers expanded at several locations he world also experienced heightened volcanic activity ash cloud blocks out some of the incoming solar radiation, leading to worldwide cooling The term Little Ice Age was introduced to the scientific literature by Dutch-born American geologist F.E. Matthes in 1939

How have natural processes in the past caused changes in Earth's mean surface temperature? How do we know?

human activities have contributed substantially to climate change by adding CO2 and other heat-trapping gases to the atmosphere.The primary human activity affecting the amount and rate of climate change is greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. Scientists have pieced together a record of Earth's climate, dating back hundreds of thousands of years by analyzing a number of indirect measures of climate such as ice cores, tree rings, glacier lengths, pollen remains, and ocean sediments, and by studying changes in Earth's orbit around the sun

Global climate change

includes major changes in temperature, precipitation, or wind patterns, among other effects, that occur over several decades or longer

Natural processes

phenomena produced by nature rather than humans

Ecological Footprint

represents the amount of land and sea area needed to provide resources and absorb greenhouse gas emissions.

what are other environmental signs you may see that indicate a rise in temperature?

sea/lake levels, extreme weather, changing weather patterns

Mean surface temperature

the average of the near-surface air temperature and the sea surface temperature

Solar activity

the emission of energy from the sun

Solar radiation

the energy emitted from the Sun that travels through space to reach Earth

Thermal energy

the energy possessed by an object due to the motion of its atoms or molecules.

Volcanic activity

the eruption of gases and particles, both as gradual emissions and sudden explosions, of Earth's volcanoes

Greenhouse gas

-a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect. The atoms of a greenhouse gas molecule vibrate when they absorb thermal energy. The vibrating molecules then radiate thermal energy, some of which travels back towards Earth's surface; e.g., carbon dioxide (CO2 ), methane (CH4 ), nitrous oxide (N2O)

Earth systems

-sets of interrelated components and processes, such as the biosphere and atmosphere

Greenhouse effect

-the characteristic absorption of thermal energy by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

Global warming

-the increase in surface temperatures, both surface air and surface water, as a part of global climate change

Patterns of change include any or all of the timing, magnitude and rate of change

As greenhouse gas emissions from human activities increase, they build up in the atmosphere and warm the climate, leading to many other changes around the world—in the atmosphere, on land, and in the oceans. Because many of the major greenhouse gases stay in the atmosphere for tens to hundreds of years after being released, their warming effects on the climate persist over a long time and can therefore affect both present and future generations.

How Earth's climate is affected by human activities

Burning coal, oil and gas produces carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. Cutting down forests (deforestation). Increasing livestock farming. Fertilizers containing nitrogen produce nitrous oxide emissions. Fluorinated gases

How changing behaviors/technologies can impact global climate change

Choose "green" power Power down your electronics Choose energy efficient appliances Walk, bike, or ride a bus when you can Check leaky faucets to save water Wash clothes in cold water Reduce, reuse, and recycle Plant a tree Buy locally grown food

How a change in the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere can affect the mean surface temperature.

Since some of the extra energy from a warmer atmosphere radiates back down to the surface, Earth's surface temperature rises.

How solar radiation and thermal energy interact with greenhouse gases.

Solar energy absorbed at Earth's surface is radiated back into the atmosphere as heat.As the heat makes its way through the atmosphere and back out to space, greenhouse gases absorb much of it. They radiate the heat back to the Earth's surface, to another greenhouse gas molecule, or out to space.

How mean surface temperature has changed in the past 150 years

The 2-degree increase in global average surface temperature that has occurred since the pre-industrial era (1880-1900) might seem small, but it means a significant increase in accumulated heat.

How scientists can calculate the effects of human activities on the greenhouse system

There is substantial evidence that human activities, especially burning fossil fuels, are leading to increased levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which in turn amplify the natural greenhouse effect, causing the temperature of the Earth's atmosphere, ocean and land surface to increase.

How greenhouse gases in the atmosphere affect the temperature of the Earth.

This process makes Earth much warmer than it would be without an atmosphere.

How some technologies can slow or reduce the emission of greenhouse gases

To successfully combat climate change, people will have to switch from getting most of their energy from burning fossil fuels to getting most of their energy from a wide variety of clean energy sources

Little Ice Age

a period of relative cooling on Earth, between approximately 1300-1850

Sudden

a relatively rapid rate of change, or a change occurring over a relatively short time period

Gradualism

a relatively slow rate of change, or a change occurring over a relatively long time period.

How different regions are impacted differently by global climate change

Communities in the Northeast heat waves, more extreme precipitation events, and coastal flooding due to sea level rise and storm surge. Southeast and Caribbean "Decreased water availability, exacerbated by population growth and land-use change, causes increased competition for water increased risks associated with extreme events such as hurricanes. Midwest-Longer growing seasons and rising carbon dioxide levels increase yields of some crops, extreme events such as heat waves, droughts, and floods. Great Plains-Rising temperatures lead to increased demand for water and energy and impacts on agricultural practices." Southwest- Drought and increased warming foster wildfires Northwest-Changes in the timing of streamflow related to earlier snowmelt reduce the supply of water in summer, causing far-reaching ecological and socioeconomic consequences."