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Introduction to GEOG 495:
The Geographies of Climate Change
January 23, 2014
Big picture items
• Weather is short-term state of atmosphere @ a particular region
• Climate is long-term average weather pattern in a particular region
(land, ocean, atmosphere, water in 3 forms and living organisms=climate
system)
• General circulation of atmosphere – winds transport heat from equator
toward poles
• Oceans influence climate and weather- moderate temperatures & transport
heat
• Ocean problems -> anoxia (lack of oxygen), acidifications, warming
• Greenhouse effect
Big picture items continued:
• Past 200 years human activities via fossil fuel consumption and land-use
changes have increased all greenhouse gases ->+ ~0.8°C (1.4°F)
• CO2 once in atmosphere causes climate change for ~1000 years (retention
time)
• Key example of positive feedback-> +1°C (1.8°F) change in atmospheric
temperature caused by CO2 will stimulate water vapor increase causing another
+1°C (1.8°F) temperature increase (positive feedback)
• Some aerosols (solid-vapor or liquid droplets-vapor mixture) in atmosphere
and some clouds scatter sunlight offsetting warming to some degree, not all
aerosols and not all clouds scatter sunlight (or equally scatter)
• Currently cars, trucks and buses are the greatest contributors to atmospheric
warming
• 34 billion tons of carbon dioxide released into atmosphere annually from
industrialization and deforestation
U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) coordinates
climate change activities of 13 federal departments & agencies
7 principles:
1)Sun is primary source of energy for Earth’s climate system
2)Climate is regulated by complex interactions among components of the Earth
system.
3)Life on Earth depends on, is shaped by, and affects climate.
4)Climate varies over space and time through both natural and human-made
processes.
5)Observations, theoretical studies and modeling improve our understanding of
the climate system.
6)Human activities are affecting the climate system.
7)Climate change will have consequences for Earth system and human lives.
Source: “Climate Literacy: The Essential Principles of Climate Science”
http://www.globalchange.gov/resources/educators/climate-literacy
Animations and Videos
Global Circulation of the Atmosphere
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHrapzHPCSA
Atmospheric Circulation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXuGYSM2D8k
Ocean Currents
http://www.montereyinstitute.org/noaa/lesson08.html
Temperatures & Anomalies in Arctic
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/ArcticIce/Images/temp_anomaly_lrg.mov
Six Decades of a Warming Earth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaJJtS_WDmI
Thawing Permafrost-Changing Plant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN4OdKPy9rM
Water Cycle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPJYPo2qhOM
Coral Winners
http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3576802.htm
Animations and Videos continued:
NASA, “A Warming World”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjFz1FCKfT8
Global Warning what you need to know….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcVwLrAavyA
Ocean Pollution
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxZs0B5yqqo
Coral Story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WH_6PgNIQI
Vital Role of the Oceans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayb7zpXSs0g&feature=player_embedded
Speed of Ocean Change
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Giua4EmwPgw&feature=player_embedded#at=12
An Overview of Threats
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sup3XxHmBoo
NSA Scientist James Hansen talks about the urgency of the climate crisis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0hHlxaYNb0&feature=related