24.1 - The Anthropocene and Global Climate Change

how does global warming occur

accumulation of GHGs in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, leading to an increase in the Earth's average surface temperature. natural but increased by burning of fossil fuels

anthropocene

current geological epoch in which human activity is the dominant influence on climate and environment

The Great Acceleration

acceleration of many different processes of consumption and land use changes since Industrial Revolution

what is anthropocene characterised by

• biodiversity loss

• changing land use due to increased agriculture

• increased GHGs in atmosphere

• increased use of technolog

key impacts of anthropocene

• upsetting balance of biogeochemical cycles

• changes to composition of atmosphere

• loss of biodiversity

impacts on carbon cycle

• burning of fossil fuels adds new pathway for CO2 into atmosphere

• land clearing = less veg = less CO2 absorbed

• feedback loops accelerating changes e.g. oceans warm and capacity to dissolve CO2 decreases

what is thought to happen if warming increases to 2 degrees

• increased heatwaves

• 2x many people globally experiencing water stress = poor health and conflict

• reduction of rainforest biomass

• melting ice sheets and rising sea levels

• ocean acidification and coral bleaching

• economic impacts e.g. decreased crop yields

methods of habitat fragmentation

• deforestation

• roads and highways

• fences