LEC 12: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

1). Effect: Burning Fossil Fuel & Land Use

1. Burning coal, oil, natural gas to produce energy

2. Releases Carbon Dioxide into atmosphere

1. Cutting down forests, converting them to farmland

2. Effects how much Carbon Dioxide is absorbed or released

2). Consequence: Unbalanced Earth Energy Budget

1. Greenhouse Effect is getting stronger (Higher concentrations of GH Gasses)

2. Atmosphere Retains More of Earth’s Outgoing Heat

Definition: Greenhouse Gasses

• Atmospheric Gasses that Absorb Outgoing Infared Radiation (Longwave Radiation)

3 Main Greenhouse Gasses

• CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)

• CH4 (Methane)

• N2O (Nitrous Oxide)

3). Consequence: Less Longwave Radiation Escaping to Space

1. Greenhouse Gasses Absorb and Re-emit Heat Energy

2. Less Heat Energy Released by Earth Escapes to Space

4). Consequence: More Energy Stays in Earth System

1. Earth keeps more energy than it releases (Earth’s Energy Budget)

2. Earth warms when gaining more energy than it loses

5). Consequence: Higher Temperature at Earth’s Surface

1. Earth System Gaining and Retaining Extra Energy

2. Surface Temperature Increases

6). Consequence: Impacts of Climate Change

• Ice Melts

• Sea Levels Rise

• Changes in Weather

Latitude Location with Largest Warming

High Latitudes (Near North or South Poles)

Hydrologic Cycle

Continuous movement of water between Earth’s Surface and Atmosphere

• Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation

Intensified Hydrologic Cycle

Warming changes how water moves through the atmosphere

• Wet Areas receive More Precipitation

• Dry Areas receive Less Precipitation