Warming / Climate Change & Ozone Loss

Natural cause of past climate change: volcanic eruptions

Volcanoes release ash and gases that block sunlight and cool the Earth short-term.

Natural cause of past climate change: solar cycles

Changes in solar output affect how much energy Earth receives.

Natural cause of past climate change: continental drift

Moving continents change ocean currents and atmospheric circulation.

Natural cause of past climate change: meteor impacts

Impacts release dust that blocks sunlight and alters climate.

What do ice core gases tell scientists?

Past CO₂, methane, and temperature levels.

What does the IPCC do?

Reviews climate data, forms scientific consensus, makes predictions and recommendations.

What is the greenhouse effect?

Gases absorb and re-radiate heat, trapping warmth in the troposphere.

Greenhouse gas: Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

Source: burning fossil fuels, deforestation, land clearing.

Greenhouse gas: Nitrous oxide (N₂O)

Source: bacterial breakdown of fertilizers, whipped cream propellants.

Greenhouse gas: CFCs

Sources: refrigerants, aerosols, packing materials.

What causes sea level rise?

Thermal expansion of water + melting ice.

Role of oceans in climate

Absorb and release heat.

Another ocean role

Distribute heat via currents.

Third ocean role

Absorb and release CO₂.

Altostratus clouds effect

Cool the Earth.

Cirrus clouds effect

Warm the Earth.

Role of global wind circulation cells

Distribute heat and moisture worldwide.

What happens if wind circulation is disrupted?

Major global climate impacts.

Soil impacts of climate change

Changes in temperature and rainfall increase erosion and reduce productivity.

Methane release from melting ice

Increases warming via positive feedback loop.

Methane release from swamps/marshes

Reduces biodiversity and increases warming.

Disease movement due to warming

Tropical diseases move into temperate regions.

Marine species impact

Habitat loss from sea level rise and photic zone changes.

What is carbon sequestration?

Capturing and storing carbon to reduce atmospheric CO₂.

Simple sequestration method

Planting trees.

What is CCS?

Carbon Capture and Storage.

How does CCS work?

Capture CO₂ and inject it deep underground.

Kyoto Protocol (1997)

International agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Where is the ozone layer located?

Stratosphere.

Why were CFCs popular?

Cheap, nonflammable, noncorrosive, non-toxic, effective.

Why are CFCs bad?

Destroy ozone and are powerful greenhouse gases.

Why is chlorine dangerous to ozone?

It is regenerated and destroys many ozone molecules.

When does the polar vortex form?

Antarctic winter (June–August).

What happens inside the polar vortex?

Ice crystals collect CFCs.

What triggers ozone destruction in spring?

Sunlight returns in October.

What happens when the vortex breaks up?

Ozone-depleted air spreads over the Southern Hemisphere.

Effect on phytoplankton

Killed by UV, reducing oxygen production.

Air pollution effect

Increased photochemical smog.

How can ozone depletion be prevented?

Eliminate ODCs and use substitutes (e.g., HCFCs).

Montreal Protocol (1987)

International treaty reducing ozone-depleting chemicals.

Copenhagen Protocol (1992)

Strengthened restrictions on CFCs and ODCs.