u6 atmosphere

atmosphere

boundary between earth and space

examples of greenhouse gases

water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides, black carbon (aerosol)

atmosphere structure (closest/coldest to furthest/hottest)

troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, themosphere, exosphere

atmosphere elements (most to least)

nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, water vapor, trace gases

radiation

energy in motion, in the form of invisible light or thermal waves or tiny particles from atoms (gamma rays)

climate

average weather pattern over a period of time

weather

can only be predicted up to 5 days in advance

evidence for correlation between atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration and global temperature

ice core analysis, tree rings analysis, deposited sediment analysis

climate change

the average value of meteorological patterns varies over a period of more than 30 years

anthropocentric reasons for increase in climate change

industrial revolution (1740), increase in population (1950)

climate change impact

ocean acidification, sea levels rise, glacial retreat, biodiversity loss, changes in water availability, biome redistribution

climate change impact local

biome shifting, species adaptation/evolution, changes in productivity, reduced ecosystem resilience

ice-albedo effect

global warming melts ice polar sheets —> reveals oceans/land —> these surfaces absorb more solar energy (they have lower albedo- less reflection of solar energy) —> raises their temperatures —> more melting

state sovereignty

a state has the full right and power to govern itself without any interference from outside sources or bodies

IPCC

Intergovernmental panel on climate change, established in 1988

UNEP

United Nations Environment Programme

Kyoto Protocol

aiming for at least about 5 percent below 1990 greenhouse gas levels during 2008–2012, established in 1997

Copenhagen Summit

recognized the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 2 °C, helped launch mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund and climate finance goals, established in 2009

Paris Agreement

long‑term goal to keep global temperature rise “well below” 2 °C, all countries submit their own nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and update them every five years, established in 2015

mitigation strategies

Slowing down the process of global warming, Reduce the production of GHGs, Remove CO2 from the atmosphere

Slowing down the process of global warming

Household changes to consume less energy; large scale geoengineering interventions

Reduce the production of GHGs

Energy-efficiency measures, renewable energy, food choice changes, agriculture changes, carbon tax

Remove CO2 from the atmosphere

Carbon sinks, rewilding, afforestation, carbon capture and storage

geoengineering

large-scale intervention projects that manipulate the earth’s systems. includes solar radiation management, cloud seeding, ocean fertilisation

solar radiation management

Placing mirrors between the Earth and the Sun or spraying aerosols (e.g. sulphur dioxide) into the stratosphere to reflect solar radiation

cloud seeding

disperses substances to increase precipitation

advantages of cloud seeding

increases water supply, assists agriculture

disadvantages of cloud seeding

possible flooding, doesnt directly address root cause

advantages of solar radiation management

cheap, efficient, reduces heatwaves/icemelts and buys time

disadvantages of solar radiation management

no CO2 reduction, can harm agriculture

ocean fertilization

Dispersing iron, nitrates, or phosphates in the oceans to increase algal blooms that absorb more CO2

advantages of ocean fertilization

natural carbon sequestration, cheap

disadvantages of ocean fertilization

low efficiency (CO2 will resurface), hard to monitor, dead zones, harm marine biodiversity

Reduction of GHG production examples

Increasing energy efficiency, switching to renewable energy, lifestyle changes, agricultural changes, taxes and incentives

switching to renewable energy example

Germany’s Energy Transition, with an increased reliance on wind, solar and biomass energy to reduce GHG emissions by 80-95% by 2050

agricultural changes examples

Reducing tillage, reduce methane production,

taxes and initiatives examples

Carbon tax and reduction of subsidies for fossil fuels, national limits on GHG production and a carbon credit system

Removing CO₂ from the atmosphere

Afforestation, reduce deforestation, grasslands restoration, carbon capture and storage (CSS) pumping carbon emissions into underground reservoirs

Adaptation capacity

The capacity or potential of a system to successfully respond to climate variability and change, including adjustments in both behavior and resources and technologies

Structural adaptations

flood defenses, desalination plants, and mobile infrastructure

non-structural adaptations

adapting agricultural practices (such as drought-resistant crops), vaccination for new diseases, land use zoning

Structural adaptations examples

Flood defense: Thames barrier London, UK
Desalination plants: Spain

non-structural adaptations examples

adapting agricultural practices: GM crops (more resilient)
Land use zoning: uses local regulations to guide development away from climate risks

Radiations with shorter wavelengths…

have higher frequencies and more energy

Montreal Protocol

 regulates the production, trade, and use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other substances that deplete the ozone layer

3 types of UV radiation

UVA, UVB. UVC

UVA

longest wavelength, least harmful, makes up 95% of radiation reaching earth

UVB

95% absorbed by the ozone layer, causes sunburn, skin cancer

UVC

short wavelength, most harmful, 99% absorbed by the ozone layer

Factors affecting the amount of UV radiation reaching Earth

Ozone content of stratosphere, angle of solar incidence, length of daylight hours, solar output, cloud cover

pros of UV radiation

helps humans synthesize vitamin D, can be used to treat dermatological diseases like vitiligo, kills pathogenic bacteria, purifies air and water

cons of uv radiation

causes DNA mutations and tissue damage, harmful to human health and ecosystems

Troposphere

acts as a GHG, contributes to trapping dust and smoke, causes irritation in the eyes, throat, and lungs, reduces crop productivity

Stratosphere

serves as a protective layer against UV rays

why has concentration of ozone molecules has stayed constant

steady-state equilibrium between ozone production and destruction

Formation

UV-C splits oxygen molecules (O₂) into single oxygen atoms

One oxygen atom combines with O₂ to form ozone (O₃)

destruction

O₃ absorbs UV-B and UV-C

Breaks back down into oxygen molecules (O₂) and a single oxygen atom

How does CFC deplete ozone

UV light breaks down CFC in the stratosphere, releasing chlorine (Cl), which breaks down ozone (O₃)

unit of measurement for ozone concentration

Dobson Units (DU), below 220 is severe depletion