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Climate Change
Student PPT
CLASS NOTES AND
HOMEWORK
ICE CORES: Video/Notes
A long cylinder of glacial ice recovered by drilling in glaciers in
Greenland and Antarctica. They can proide evidence about
Earth’s younger climate.
Trapped ancient air bubbles
Traces of volcanic ash & dust
Layers of ice and thickness can tell us past snowfall.
ICE CORES: Video/Notes
The amount of CO2 in our atmosphere is currently
higher than it has ever been.
Burning fossil fuels puts extra greenhouse gases in our
atmosphere which causes global warming.
When greenhouse gases increase, the sea level rises
because the glaciers are melting. The Earth getting
warmer causes sea levels to rise.
ICE CORE: Foldable Contents
4.1 GR
What Causes
Climate?
climate
microclimate
The main factors that influence temperature are
latitude, altitude, distance from larger bodies of water,
and ocean currents.
lower
tropical
temperature
polar
tropical
23.5o S
23.5o to 66. 5o N
winter
polar
66.5o – 90o N
66.5o – 90o N
The greater the latitude, the lower the angle of
the Sun’s rays as they strike the Earth.
The climate of a temperate zone in summer is
more like a tropical zone because the angle of
the Sun’s rays is more direct at that time.
TRUE
A
B
prevailing winds
presence of
mountains
c. seasonal winds
FALSE
4.3 GR
Long Term
Changes in
Climate
If plants or animals today need certain conditions to live,
then similar plants and animals in the past also required
those same conditions.
Three sources of information that scientists use to learn
about ancient climates are fossils, tree rings, and pollen
records.
During an ice age, huge sheets of ice, called glaciers, cover
large parts of Earth’s surface.
Earth’s sea level is lower during an ice age because much of
Earth’s water is frozen in the ice sheets.
Possible causes of climate change include variations in the
position of Earth relative to the sun, changes in the sun’s energy
output, volcanic activity, and the movement of continents.
sunspots
ice ages
4.4 GR
Global
Changes in
Atmosphere
El Nino
La Nina
TRUE
A
B
greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane
are some of the greenhouse gases.
Many scientists have hypothesized that human
activities that add greenhouse gases to the
atmosphere may be warming Earth’s
atmosphere.
TRUE
FALSE
Satellite measurements have shown that the amount of
energy the sun produces increases and decreases from
year to year. These changes in solar energy could be
causing periods of warmer and cooler climates.
TRUE
FALSE
CFCs are chlorine compounds that are the main cause
of ozone depletion. CFCs were used in air conditioners
and refrigerators, as cleaners for electronic parts, and
in aerosol sprays, such as deodorants.
stratosphere
Chlorine
ultraviolet radiation
oxygen
According to
the EPA, a
near
complete
recovery of
the ozone
CFCs break down ozone in the stratosphere
layer is
expected
near the
middle of
the 21st
If CFCs were completely eliminated, the amount of
century.
ultraviolet light reaching Earth would be
The long
diminished because there would be fewer chlorine
time scale
atoms there to break down the ozone.
for this
recovery is
due to the
slow rate at
In the late 1970s, the United States and many
which ODS
other countries banned most uses of CFCs in
are removed
aerosol sprays. In 1990, many nations agreed to from the
phase out the production and use of CFCs.
atmosphere
by natural
processes.
CLIMATE STUDY GUIDE
Climate Past:
(RG 4-1, RG 4-3, Climate Change Notes)
1. What is the difference between CLIMATE and WEATHER?
Climate is the average, year-after-year conditions of
temperature, precipitation, winds, and clouds in an
area. Weather is the condition of Earth’s atmosphere at
a particular time and place.
2. What are the 4 main factors that influence temperature of a location?
The four main factors that influence temperature of a
location are latitude, altitude, distance from large bodies
of water, and ocean currents.
3. Why is the tropical climate zone bordered by 23.5°N and 23.5°S? (Hint: Sunlight…)
The tropical climate zone, near the Equator, receives
the most direct sunlight all year, so is the warmest
climate.
4. What are the main factors that influence precipitation?
The main factors that influence precipitation are prevailing
winds, the presence of mountains, and seasonal winds.
Winds are forced to rise and pass over the mountain. The rising
warm air cools, and its water vapor condenses and falls as rain or
snow on the windward (upslope) side of the mountain where the
oncoming wind hits.
Temperature can be measured directly using thermometers and
satellite data.
tree rings
corals
pollen
ice cores
Ice cores provide the most
important climate data to allow
scientists to see back about
500,000+ years.
These
natural
Variations in the position of
variations
Earth relative to the sun.
cannot
account for
the
Changes in the sun’s
unprecedent
energy output.
ed increase
in CO2 which
is
responsible
c. Major volcanic eruptions
for warming
d. Movement of the continents
Earth.
• Ice at the poles and glaciers are melting back considerably.
• Where possible, plants are moving higher in altitude.
• Migration patterns of animals are changing in response to a
new climate.
Plant and animal species have been moving
higher in elevation to cooler altitudes.
CO2 in the atmosphere forms into carbonic acid.
Increased CO2 in the atmosphere leads to
increased CO2 in the ocean, making it more acidic.
There are more record high temperatures than
there are record low temperatures.
During El Niño, sea surface temperatures across
the central and east-central Equatorial Pacific
warm; during La Nina sea surface temperatures
across the east-central Equatorial cool.
The average temperature of the troposphere has
changed by increasing by 1 degree C with steadiest
increases in the last 25 years.
The three greenhouse gases are CO2, (methane)
CH4, and water vapor.
True – 99%
1-1.3o C
Albedo Effect: amount of light reflected; Ice reflects 90% of sunlight; water reflects
10%. Melting the North Polar ice cap will result in decreased albedo.
+1-3 °C
Atmospheric Water Vapor: Warmer atmosphere holds more water vapor (a very strong
greenhouse gas), increasing energy absorbed by the planet.
+1-3 °C
Melting and Decaying Permafrost: Melting permafrost releases methane (stronger
greenhouse gas than CO2) as the now thawed vegetation decays; would result in more
energy absorbed by the planet.
+1-3 °C
• Shorter shipping routes through Pole
• Access to resources in Arctic as ice melts
• Possible better growing seasons for northern
climates
• Plants grow better with increased CO2





Changing precipitation could damage current growing
areas with droughts or floods.
Areas where people just get by could be threatened with
starvation
Rising Sea Levels could flood coastal areas and make entire
countries disappear
Possible extreme weather as climate comes into a new
balance.
Ocean food chain issues with acidification
Loss of wildlife (e.g, moose) or commercial harvesting (e.g.,
lobsters)
1. Reduce CO2
2. Remove CO2
3. Reduce sunlight
ADDITIONAL CLIMATE CLASS
PPT/NOTES
http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/degree/how_do_we_know.jsp
Where does the DATA come from?
TEMPERATURE
Direct measurement
• Thermometer record back to 1850
• More recent Satellite data
Indirect measurements
• Tree rings, corals, ice cores, lake/ocean
sediments go back 500,000+
CO2
Direct measurement
• Air samples from Hawaii back to 1950
• Air Bubbles in ice cores go back
500,000+

Changes in atmospheric Carbon Dioxide are directly
related to changes in temperature
Temperature from ice core data
CO2 from ice core data




Temperature record from Universities and
other research institutions
Over the century, cities have built up around
them.
Cities tend to be hotter due to more pavement
and less greenery.
MAIN CONCERN: Temperature data might be
corrupted by heat from cities. Has since been
shown to not be an issue
Climate Change is a Natural Process!
The Earth’s climate has changed many
times before without human influence
due to Solar changes.
ARGUMENT 1 - Earth’s Orbit!
ARGUMENT 2 - Solar Output/sunspots


Eccentricity: ~100,000 year cycle
Earth’s orbit is not a perfect circle.
Earth gets closer and farther from
the sun as a result.
The shape of the Earth's orbit
varies in time between nearly
circular (with the lowest
eccentricity of 0.000055) and
mildly elliptical (highest
eccentricity of 0.0679)
• Milankovitch Cycles
– Eccentricity (100,000 year cycle)
––-

Obliquity (axial tilt): ~40,000 year cycle.
How tilted the Earth is.
Varies from 22.1-24.5 °
The angle of
the Earth's
axial tilt
(obliquity of
the ecliptic)
varies with
respect to the
plane of the
Earth's orbit.
Precession: ~13,000 year cycle
The tilt of the earth
wobbles like a
spinning top.


Obliquity (axial tilt): ~40,000 year cycle.
How tilted the Earth is.
Varies from 22.1-24.5 °
The angle of
the Earth's
axial tilt
(obliquity of
the ecliptic)
varies with
respect to the
plane of the
Earth's orbit.
26,000
26,000
26,000
26,000
26,000
26,000
26,000
ARGUMENT 2 – Solar changes are responsible
for current warming…
CLAIM
Sun is the biggest
force in changing
climate
EVIDENCE
• Sun goes through cycles that
have affected climate in the past
• Past climate change matches
solar activity
• LITTLE ICE AGE in the 1600’s
• Maunder Minimum: A period roughly
spanning 1645 to 1715 when sunspots
became exceedingly rare, as noted by
solar observers of the time.
– Fewer sun spots = less solar radiation.
– This lead to a cooler period on Earth / Little
Ice Age. (Theory)
TEMPERATURE
CARBON DIOXIDE
SOLAR ACTIVITY
MAIN TAKEAWAY
While the sun has been most
responsible for changing climate over
history…
Current warming appears
unrelated to the sun’s activity.




Effects on Ice
Effects on Plant and Animals
Ocean Acidification
Weather?
OBSERVATION: Ice is shrinking
Ice shrinking
Poles
North Pole Ice free in your lifetimes
Last ten years have 5 record low ice years
Glaciers Major glaciers around the world retreating
Glacier Nat’l park will be ice free by 2030
OBSERVATION: Habitats have changed
CLAIM
EVIDENCE
Plants and Animals • Species moving higher in elevation
if they can
• Migration patterns altering due to
earlier spring and later winter on
avg.





Absorbed CO2 turns into Carbonic Acid
More CO2 in air increases amount of CO2 in the
ocean
Higher acidity prevents shellfish and plankton
from making shells
Higher ocean acidity may cause
disruptions in food chains that 100’s of
millions depend on.
Ocean acidity hasn’t changed more than
0.1 pH in 25 million years




Increased Heat Waves, Droughts, Floods
More Extreme Weather Events
MAIN POINT
 Individual weather events will never be
evidence for or against.
 Or can they
SANDY!
• As the temperature of oceans rises, so will
the probability of more frequent and
stronger hurricanes. This was seen in
2004 and 2005. (Katrina)
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
TEMPERATURE
CARBON DIOXIDE
SOLAR ACTIVITY
MAIN TAKEAWAY
While the sun has been most
responsible for changing climate over
history…
Current warming appears
unrelated to the sun’s activity.




Effects on Ice
Effects on Plant and Animals
Ocean Acidification
Weather?
OBSERVATION: Ice is shrinking
Ice shrinking
Poles
North Pole Ice free in your lifetimes
Last ten years have 5 record low ice years
Glaciers Major glaciers around the world retreating
Glacier Nat’l park will be ice free by 2030
OBSERVATION: Habitats have changed
CLAIM
EVIDENCE
Plants and Animals • Species moving higher in elevation
if they can
• Migration patterns altering due to
earlier spring and later winter on
avg.





Absorbed CO2 turns into Carbonic Acid
More CO2 in air increases amount of CO2 in the
ocean
Higher acidity prevents shellfish and plankton
from making shells
Higher ocean acidity may cause
disruptions in food chains that 100’s of
millions depend on.
Ocean acidity hasn’t changed more than
0.1 pH in 25 million years




Increased Heat Waves, Droughts, Floods
More Extreme Weather Events
MAIN POINT
 Individual weather events will never be
evidence for or against.
 Or can they
SANDY!
• As the temperature of oceans rises, so will
the probability of more frequent and
stronger hurricanes. This was seen in
2004 and 2005. (Katrina)
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
1 meter rise
4 meter rise
2 meter rise
8 meter rise

Warming Arctic causes less temperature
difference between Polar and Temperate
Convection cells reducing Jet Stream Speed.
JET
STREAM

Hurricane Sandy
traveled west
instead of the
typical east due
to unusually
weak
Jet Stream
Westerlies

A weaker jet
stream wiggles
more causing
bigger dips in
its flow allowing
colder air south.




Scientific consensus is that the Earth is
warming
ADDED WARMING
+1°C or 1.5°F global average so far
Additional 2.0°F most likely from CO2
Major corporations, military, and local
communities all planning for a changing
climate.

How much warming do we face?
Models that project far into the future are
inherently poor. (Remember the short vs.
long pool shot)
 Climate models only look at average
conditions and not weather (unlike Jack Halls
model from the movie!)
 If only CO2 was the issue…
Most catastrophic warming is based on
Feedback


Climate Change Feedback
1. Climate change feedback processes may
increase or decrease the potential for
warming or cooling of the climate.
2. Type of feedback determines how
sensitive climate is to change.
3. Feedback data can help us determine
future climate state.
4. Positive feedback increases the change.
5. Negative feedback decreases the
change.
,
93
Temperature Projections From CO2
IPCC A2 (no Abatement) Case
10.0
Temperature Increase, Celsius
9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
No Feedback
1.0 - 1.3C by 2100
2.0
1.0
0.0
350
450
550
Atmospheric CO2, PPM
650
750



Albedo Effect
The amount of light that is reflected by a material is called the
albedo. Ice has a high albedo since it reflects 90% of sunlight.
When melted, the water underneath has an albedo of just 10%,
absorbing much more. Melting the North Polar ice cap will
result in more energy absorbed by the planet. +1-3 °C
Atmospheric Water Vapor
As the atmosphere warms due to rising levels of greenhouse
gases, the amount of water vapor it can hold increases. Water
vapor is a very strong greenhouse gas and would result in more
energy absorbed by the planet . +1-3 °C
Melting and Decaying Permafrost
Melting permafrost in arctic regions results in the release of
methane as the now thawed vegetation decays. Methane is a
stronger greenhouse gas than CO2 and a large release of this
would result in more energy absorbed by the planet. +1-3 °C
• 2013 Arctic Sea Ice Mega Fracture
See Video (visible infrared satellite images, 1 minute)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXjb6MRj_5U
Methane
Bubbles trapped
in Siberian ice
https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt
=A0LEVvB0vntY8F8Amm4nnIlQ?p=methane+ice
+fire&fr=yhs-mozilla-002&fr2=pivweb&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs002#id=35&vid=4d05d6706a58a15b30dc73a56
aeb95fa&action=view
98
Temperature Projections From CO2
IPCC A2 (no Abatement) Case
10.0
Temperature Increase, Celsius
9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
METHANE Likely CO2 Range by 2100
4.0
WATER
VAPOR
3.0
No Feedback
1.0 - 1.3C by 2100
2.0
1.0
REFLECTIVITY
0.0
350
450
550
Atmospheric CO2, PPM
650
750

Most likely will not be evenly
distributed.
Polar regions already warming much
faster than others.
 Mid Latitude and Tropics have very
little change so far.

Changing Global Temps by Decade

Some potential benefits…
Shorter shipping routes through Pole
 Access to resources in Arctic as ice melts
 Possible better growing seasons for northern
climates
 Plants grow better with increased CO2


Some negative effects…
Changing precipitation could damage
current growing areas with droughts or
floods.
 Areas where people just get by could be
threatened with starvation
 Rising Sea Levels could flood coastal areas
and make entire countries disappear


Some negative effects…





Changing precipitation could damage
current growing areas with droughts or
floods.
Areas where people just get by could be
threatened with starvation
Rising Sea Levels could flood coastal areas
and make entire countries disappear
Possible extreme weather as climate comes
into a new balance.
Ocean food chain issues with acidification


Addressing the problem now would be costly
now.
Ignoring the problem could be even more
costly down the road.





Man-made sources of carbon
dioxide include the burning of fossil
fuels for heating, power generation and
transport
How can we reduce CO2 emissions?
Conserve Energy (Reduce lifestyle)
Renewable sources of energy
Less driving, more mass transport BUS!


1.
2.
3.
Still need to remove the CO2 that has
been added to get to the 350 ppm
number recommended.
How can we remove CO2 emissions?
MORE PLANTS
SEQUESTRATION (chemical process
that removes CO2 and stores it
underground.
Others?



Space Mirrors
More Bald Men
Others?
• “So what?” It is only 2 degrees Celsius.
• At 7 degrees less than it is today, the earth
was in an ice age.
• Absolute worst case scenario would be that
ice melt from Greenland and other arctic
areas could put too much freshwater into the
ocean and turn off the ocean conveyor belt.
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
• Ocean currents from tropics keep Arctic
from growing too large, and sends cooler
water to the tropics.
• Climate Change Effects Hot Spot Map
– Click on a spot to see the effects of climate
change.
– http://www.climatehotmap.org/
• Don’t forget the difference between weather
and climate.
– Weather is what is occurring right now.
– Climate is weather conditions over a long period
of time (years).
“So much for
global
warming.”
Copyright © 2010 Ryan P. Murphy
99% agree with human induced
climate change