Environmental Management: Global Climate Change terms

Global change

Global change

broken into many categories that describe how the earth is changing primarily due to anthropogenic (human) causes

Global Climate change

takes into account weather patterns, ocean cycling, temperature, etc.

Goldilocks Zone

perfect position for a planet for life due to expose to sunlight and more

The Greenhouse Effect

gases in the atmosphere absorbing heat and radiating it back to earth

Greenhouse Warming Potential (GWP)

estimates how much a molecule of any compound can contribute to global warming over a period of 100 years relative to a molecule of CO2

Most important Greenhouse Gas

H2O

Most concentrated Greenhouse Gas

CO2

Sources of Greenhouse gases

volcanoes (give off sulfur), nitrous oxygen, methane from decomposition, and anthropogenic causes (they are the most varied, intense, and damaging)

Carbon Sinks

immbolizied carbon not contributing to global temperatures (burning them releases CO2)

Flooding Fields' impact

cause anaerobic decomposition (methane and nitrous oxide)

GCC and Agriculture

Synthetic fertilizer and organic waste contribute, livestock produce gases, landfills give off methane and other gases. deforestation destroy carbon sinks and more

Higher CO2..

means more heat trapped and higher temperatures

Positive Feedback

more CO2 is produced, the earth will warm, quickening decomposition and CO2 production

Negative Feedback

more plants will grow, decreasing CO2, and things will balance out

GCC Consequences in the Hydrosphere

glaciers and play ice caps will melt, permafrost will melt, sea levels will rise

GCC effects on the weather

more heat weaves and droughts or more rain, fewer cold spells, which could mean agricultural productivity but could also prevent pest die-off

GCC Consequences in the Biosphere

organisms die out, mating and feeding could be interrupted, humans would be affected as water becomes scarce and heat intensifies

The Golden Toad

first species driven to extinction because of climate change, lived in the Cloud Forests of Costa Rica but haven't been seen in 20 years