Climate change unit

climate

conditions in the atmosphere over long periods of time (usually refer to conditions across large regions, or entire earth)

Weather

conditions of atmosphere over short periods of time (usually refers to conditions at a specific site)

temperature proxies

don't give actual data measurement, but can give data that can be extrapolated to temperature estimates

Isotope ratio (stable isotopes)

coral reef layers

tree rings

pollen analysis

Isotopes

same atomic number, different number of neurons in nucleus

stable isotope

doesn't exhibit radioactive decay over time

stable isotopes in warm climate

there would be more heavy isotopes in ice at the poles

stable isotopes in cooler climate

there would be fewer heavy isotopes in ice at the poles

Ice cores

Stable isotopes: ratio of D/H

Trapped air bubbles: CO2 concentrations, methane concentrations

Particles: dust, volcanic matter

Deuterium

naturally occurring, stable isotope of hydrogen (2H), with one proton and one neutron in its nucleus

commonly known as the heavy hydrogen because its heavier than most common isotope of hydrogen

Isotope Ratio

measures the relative abundance of different isotopes of the same element in a sample

Eccentricity

Orbit

Obliquity

tilt (axial tilt)

Precession

wobble of Earth's axis

Milankovitch cycles

long-term, cyclical changes in Earth's orbital parameters (eccentricity, obliquity, and precession) that influence the amount of solar radiation received by the planet, affecting climate

Greenhouse Effect

natural phenomenon where the Earth's atmosphere traps heat, preventing it from escaping into space and keeping the planet's temperature habitable

greenhouse gasses

substances in the earth's atmosphere that trap heat contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change.. (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide)

carbon cycle

process where carbon atoms move throughout various components of the earth system; moves between living organisms, atmosphere, and the earth's surface

Carbon reservoirs

oceans are huge in this, locations where carbon is stored

Climate models

computer simulation used to understand and predict the Earth's climate system

positive feedback loops

occurs in nature when the product of a reaction leads to an increase in that reaction,

push the system further in the same direction

negative feedback loops

aim return the system to equilibrium,

occurs in biology when the product of a reaction leads to a decrease in that reaction

Albedo

reflectivity of a material to solar radiation

Glaciers

a cycle where a change in one part of the system amplifies the original change, leading to a self-reinforcing effect. A common example is the ice-albedo feedback loop, where melting glaciers reduce the Earth's reflectivity (albedo), leading to more heat absorption and further melting.

ocean levels

average height of the ocean's surface, typically measured relative to land

-2050 est. 17% land loss

Species range shifts

change in the geographic area where a species is found

Phenology

timing of activities (migration, nesting, tree leaf-out)

Human migration

will relocate because of climate change and sea level rising

Renewable energy source

geothermal, solar, wind, hydroelectric, biofuels, tidal/wave energy

energy from a source that won't run out

nonrenewable energy source

fossil fuels, nuclear

energy that can be used up

Coal

most abundant, plant matter compressed to form dense, solid carbon structures

greater the pressure the greater the energy content

Natural gas

primarily composed of methane, cleaner burning than coal or oil

Biogenic formation: Anaerobic bacterial decomposition of organic matter (marshes, bogs, landfills, etc)

Thermogenic formation: deeper down, formed by compression and heat acting on buried organic matter

Fossil Fuels

usage: 30% China, US 15%

natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in geological past from the remains of living organisms

Fracking

injecting liquid at high pressure into rocks to extract oil or gas

Oil

drill land or on fixed/floating platforms

popular fossil fuels

Peak Oil

point in time when he global production of oil reaches its maximum rate and begins to decline

ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge)

Ecological deterioration is happening in the ANWR at high levels because climate change is affecting the Arctic more than other places, and oil drilling is a big threat to the ANWR

nuclear energy

nonrenewable (uranium ore is finite), cleaner than FF, radioactive waste and some accidents

Nuclear waste

3 mile island, PA- 1979, was contained fast, major cleanup needed

chernobyl, Ukraine- 1986 explosion, safety systems off, clouds of radioactive debris, area in an 18 mile radius closed, over 300,000 people evacuated

Fukushima, Japan- 2011, tsunami flooded the plant, meltdown and explosion

EROI

Energy returned: energy invested

Coal has the highest

Solar energy

Pros: EROI 9-34:1, no shortage of radiation coming to earth, panels last long time/low maintenance, greenhouse gas emissions only from transport

Cons: not all areas are good for this, upfront costs in production

Wind energy

turbines convert wind energy to electric energy

Pros: EROI 18-25:1, no emissions, lot of energy for investment, can be small, can still use land for farming

Cons: some areas winder than others, may need to transport wind farms to cities

Geotermal energy

energy from deep inside earth heats groundwater

use energy as direct heat, or to turn turbines

Pros: EROI 9:1, not affect the amount of energy produced underground

Cons: not all plants work indefinitely, depends on plate dynamics, lack of perpetuity increases cost, corrosion and pollution from salts and minerals

hydroelectric power

water flowing downhill, turns turbines

Pros: EROI 84:1, no C emissions, lot of energy

Cons: some methane released from reservoirs, environmental impacts of dams/reservoirs, no room for expansion

Scientific consensus about climate

change

one research paper said that 75% scientists say its happening and another paper says 97-98% agree that its happening

Scientific consensus about controversy over climate

97% says it is happening and with the American public

COP meetings

Conference of the Parties, refers to the annual summit where representatives from nations that have signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meet to discuss and negotiate global climate action

Paris agreement

a landmark international treaty, a pact within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, where 197 countries agreed to work together to tackle climate change.

Clean Air Act

regulates greenhouse gases as of 2007

Carbon cap & trade

a market-based approach to reducing pollution. It works by setting a cap, a limit on the total amount of emissions allowed, and then distributing permits, known as allowances or credits, to emitters. These allowances can be traded, creating a market where companies can buy or sell permits to meet their emissions requirements.

Carbon tax

a government-imposed fee or tax on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, primarily those from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas

Carbon sequestration

the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) to mitigate climate change

Geoengineering

climate engineering or climate intervention, refers to the intentional, large-scale manipulation of the Earth's environment to counteract climate change. It involves interventions in the Earth's systems like the oceans, atmosphere, and soils, with the aim of directly mitigating human-caused climate change.