Climate Change

Weather

Short-term variations in the atmosphere.

Climate

Long-term patterns in the atmosphere based on average weather over 30 years.

Longwave

Emitted by Earth in the longwave infrared spectrum, known as thermal emissions.

Shortwave (Solar Radiation)

Radiates energy in three spectra: UV, visible light, and infrared.

Earth’s Energy Budget

30% of incoming solar radiation is reflected, and 70% is absorbed, later re-emitted as longwave radiation.

Greenhouse Effect

Occurs when greenhouse gases absorb longwave radiation from Earth, preventing it from escaping into space.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Causes 1/4 of the natural greenhouse effect and is absorbed by carbon sinks like forests and oceans.

Methane (CH4)

23 times more effective than CO2 as a greenhouse gas, produced during plant decomposition and animal digestion.

Ozone (O3)

Protects from UV rays at high altitudes but acts as a pollutant at ground level.

Albedo Effect

Measures reflectivity of a surface; positive feedback loop between temperature and ice melt.

Proxy Records

Information stored in the natural environment to infer past climate conditions.

Milankovitch cycles

Cyclical changes in Earth's orbit affecting climate over long periods.

Volcanic Eruptions

Temporary climate change driver that cools Earth by reflecting solar radiation.

Climate Projection

Scientific forecasts of future climate based on observations and modeling.

Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases generated by human activities, increasing infrared radiation retention.

Climate Change Evidence

Indicators such as rising sea levels, changing precipitation patterns, and shifting ecosystems.

Carbon Dioxide and Global Temperatures

Positive feedback loop where increased CO2 leads to warmer temperatures and reduced ocean carbon sinks.

What is Weather?

The state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time. It involves variables such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind.

What is Climate?

The average weather conditions in a region over a long period, typically 30 years or more.

What is Shortwave Radiation?

Solar radiation that has a shorter wavelength and higher energy.

What is Longwave Radiation?

Radiation emitted by Earth, which has a longer wavelength and lower energy; also known as thermal radiation.

What is Earth’s Energy Budget?

Describes the balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing radiation from Earth. About 30% is reflected, and 70% is absorbed.

What is the Natural Greenhouse Effect?

The natural process where certain gases in the atmosphere trap longwave radiation, warming the planet.

What is the Anthropogenic Greenhouse Effect?

The enhancement of the natural greenhouse effect due to human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, which increase the concentration of greenhouse gases.

What are Natural Greenhouse Gases?

Gases that occur naturally in the atmosphere, such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, which trap heat and keep the planet warm enough to support life.

What are Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gases?

Gases produced by human activities that enhance the greenhouse effect, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and synthetic fluorinated gases.

What are Proxy Records?

Natural archives of climate information, such as tree rings, ice cores, sediment layers, and coral reefs, that are used to reconstruct past climate conditions.

What are Natural, Long-Term Changes in Climate?

Include changes in Earth's orbit (Milankovitch cycles), solar variability, and volcanic eruptions. These can cause climate shifts over thousands to millions of years.

What are Natural, Short-Term Changes in Climate?

Driven by events like volcanic eruptions and El Niño events, which can cause noticeable but temporary shifts in global weather patterns.

What are Feedback Loops?

Processes where an initial change in climate triggers secondary effects that either amplify (positive feedback) or diminish (negative feedback) the initial change.

What is water vapor feedback (positive)?

Increased evaporation leads to more water vapor in the atmosphere, which traps more heat, leading to further warming.

What is the Albedo effect (positive)?

Melting ice reduces the reflectivity of the Earth's surface, causing more solar radiation to be absorbed and further warming.

What is Melting Permafrost (positive)?

The thaw of permafrost releases methane and carbon dioxide, potent greenhouse gases, into the atmosphere, exacerbating warming.

What is the Evidence of Climate Change?

Rising global temperatures, melting glaciers and ice sheets, rising sea levels, changes in precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events.

Why are humans the cause of climate change?

The rapid increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution is directly linked to human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels.

What are Climate Projections and Uncertainties?

Scientific forecasts of future climate conditions based on climate models. These projections involve uncertainties due to the complexity of the climate system and the range of possible future emission scenarios.

What are the Global Impacts of Climate Change?

Include rising sea levels, more frequent and intense heatwaves, changes in precipitation patterns, ocean acidification, and disruptions to ecosystems and agriculture.

What is Climate Change in the Canadian Arctic?

The Canadian Arctic is warming at a rate twice as fast as the global average, leading to melting permafrost, loss of sea ice, and impacts on Indigenous communities.

What are the Impacts of Climate Change on Ontario?

Ontario is experiencing hotter summers, milder winters, more extreme weather events, and changes in lake levels and water quality.

How do we Tackle Climate Change?

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency, renewable energy, carbon capture, and storage technologies. Also, adapting to the impacts of climate change through measures such as building resilient infrastructure and developing drought-resistant crops.