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Weather

Short-term atmospheric conditions (e.g., temperature, wind, moisture).

Climate

Long-term average weather patterns in a specific area.

Climate Prediction Difficulty

Complex due to long-term patterns and Earth system interactions.

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding Earth.

Troposphere

Lowest atmospheric layer; where weather occurs.

Stratosphere

Above troposphere; contains ozone layer.

Types of Rainfall

Convectional, frontal, orographic.

Rain Shadow

Dry area on leeward side of mountains.

Albedo

Reflectivity of a surface (ice = high; water = low).

Solar Reflection

25% reflected by clouds/atmosphere.

Solar Absorption

45% absorbed by Earth's surface.

Energy Loss

Through infrared radiation into space.

Greenhouse Effect

Trapping of heat by gases like CO₂, CH₄.

Major GHGs

Water vapor, CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, CFCs.

CO₂ Rise Cause

Burning fossil fuels, deforestation.

Methane Sources

Ruminants, landfills, gas leaks.

Nitrous Oxide

Mainly from nitrogen fertilizers.

Orbital Variations

Not responsible for recent warming.

Future GHG Emissions

Rising unless mitigated.

Impacts

Migration, extinction risk, food chain disruption, ocean acidification.

Ocean Acidity

Increased due to higher CO₂ levels.

Ice Loss

Greenland, mountain glaciers (e.g., Muir Glacier), Arctic sea ice.

Sea Level Rise

From melting ice + ocean expansion.

Heavy Precipitation

Increasing in many regions.

Phenological Changes

Early springs, range shifts.

Positive Feedback Loop

Melting ice lowers albedo → more warming.

Arctic Warming

Over twice global average.

Sea Ice Decline

Ongoing and projected.

Polar Bears

Dependent on sea ice.

Arctic Projections

More warming than lower latitudes.

Oil Uses

Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, plastics.

Coal

Fossilized plants; dirtiest fossil fuel.

Natural Gas

Mostly methane; cleaner than coal.

Fracking

Fluid injection to extract gas → causes groundwater, seismic issues.

Sustainable Energy

Solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass.

CAFE Standards

Fuel economy regulations (since 1978).

Clean Power Plan (2014)

Cut power plant emissions (Obama).

Affordable Clean Energy Rule (2019)

Replaced CPP (Trump).

Inflation Reduction Act (2022)

$391B for clean energy/climate.

Rhodium Estimate

IRA = 32-42% GHG reduction by 2030.

Dane County Goals

1/3 solar, 1/2 wind by 2030; 50% emission cut.

Energy Conservation

Efficiency + behavior change (e.g., LED).

Passive Solar

Natural light/heat.

Active Solar

Devices to capture energy.

Photovoltaic

Converts sunlight to electricity.

Wind Turbine Output

~3 MW (~600 homes).

EV Exercise

Plan route, range, and charge stations.

Natural Pollutants

Radon, ash, dust, pollen.

Human-Caused

NO₂, sulfur gases from vehicles and industry.

Particulates

Tiny airborne matter → health issues.

VOCs

Gaseous organics from paints, fuels.

CO

Toxic gas from incomplete combustion.

SO₂

Causes acid rain (→ H₂SO₄).

NOx

Leads to nitric acid → ecosystem acidification.

Tropospheric Ozone

Harmful smog, forms via UV reactions.

Ozone Layers

Good: Stratosphere - protects from UV; Bad: Troposphere - pollutant.

Clean Air Act (1963)

First national air quality law.

1970 Amendments

National standards, SO₂ cuts.

1990 Amendments

More reductions (SO₂, NOx, VOCs).

GDP

Total economic output.

Ecological Economics

Integrates environment + economy.

Internal Costs

Direct (e.g., labor, materials).

External Costs

Unpriced impacts (e.g., pollution).

Ecosystem Services

Pollination, flood control, recreation.

EPI

Measures national sustainability performance.

Kyoto Protocol (1997)

First treaty on GHG reduction.

Paris Agreement (2015)

Limit global warming <2°C.

U.S. Role

Joined in 2015 → left in 2020 → rejoined 2021 → left again in 2025.

Trump Era

Favored fossil fuels, denied climate urgency.