Download Understanding Our Environment

Air, Weather, and Climate
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Outline
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The Atmosphere and Climate
 Greenhouse Effect
 Convection Currents
Weather
 Coriolis Effect
 Cyclonic Storms
Climate
 El Nino
 Climate Change
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THE ATMOSPHERE AND CLIMATE
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Weather vs.Climate
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Atmosphere
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The Atmosphere and Climate
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The Atmosphere and Climate
Aurora borealis (northern lights)
Aurora australis (southern lights)
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Energy Balance
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Energy and the Greenhouse Effect
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Energy and the Greenhouse Effect
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Convection and Atmospheric Pressure
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Coriolis Effect
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Jet Streams
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Ocean Currents
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Seasonal Winds and Monsoons
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Frontal Weather
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Cyclonic Storms
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Tornadoes
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CLIMATE
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CLIMATE
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El Nino Southern
Oscillation
ENSO
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El Nino Southern Oscillation
ENSO
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Human-Caused Global Climate Change
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CO2 Concentrations on Mauna Loa
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Sources of Greenhouse Gases
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Aerosol Effects
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Current Evidence of Climate Change
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Global average surface temperature rose 0.6o C
during 20th century.
Droughts are more frequent and widespread.
Severe weather events have increased
dramatically.
Polar regions have warmed much faster than the
rest of the world.
Ice shelves on Arctic peninsula are disappearing.
Many animals breeding earlier and extending their
ranges.
Amphibians disappearing.
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Current Evidence of Climate Change
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Retreating alpine glaciers.
 Mt. Kilimanjaro
 Glacier National Park
Coral reefs are “bleaching.”
Northern growing seasons are longer.
Sea level has risen.
Arctic sea ice is 40% thinner.
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Winners and Losers
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Predicted Warming for CO2 Doubling in 2100
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International Climate Negotiations
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Controlling Greenhouse Emissions
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