Climate Change and Global Warming

Introduction

  • Class held at the College of the Late Conception, Immaculate Patria Ecclesia, Cabanatuan City.

Unit 3: Earth and Space

Chapter 9: Climate Change

Lesson 9.1: Weather and Climate

  • Overview statement regarding the lesson.

Weather

  • Definition: Refers to the day-to-day conditions of the atmosphere at a specific place and time.

  • Factors Determining Weather:

    • Air temperature

    • Air pressure

    • Precipitation

    • Wind

    • Clouds

Air Temperature

  • Definition: Measures how hot or cold the air is.

  • Key Points:

    • Higher temperature results in faster-moving air molecules.

    • Accelerates evaporation.

Air Pressure

  • Definition: Measures the weight of air pressing down on an area.

  • Effects of Air Pressure:

    • High air pressure typically indicates fair or clear weather.

    • Low air pressure suggests cloudy or stormy weather.

  • Measurement Tool: Measured using a barometer.

Precipitation

  • Definition: Occurs when water vapor condenses into water droplets or ice in clouds.

  • Process:

    • When clouds become too heavy, they release water due to gravity.

  • Forms of Precipitation:

    • Liquid (rain, drizzle)

    • Solid (snow, hail)

Wind

  • Definition: Movement of air from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas.

  • Characteristics:

    • Winds over water are usually cool and moist.

    • Winds over land are warmer and drier.

    • In the Philippines, prevailing winds often move in an East-North-East direction.

Cloud Types & Weather

  • Importance of Clouds: Help indicate weather changes.

  • Types of Clouds and Weather Indicators:

    • High Clouds (e.g., cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus): Signal a change in weather.

    • Mid-Level Clouds (e.g., altocumulus, altostratus, nimbostratus): Typically gray or white; indicate fair to rainy weather.

Weather Forecasting in the Philippines

  • Organization: PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) operates under DOST.

  • Forecasting Tool: Issues daily weather reports; weather changes explained by the movement of air in the atmosphere.

Climate

  • Definition: Average weather pattern over a long period of time.

  • Philippine Climate: Primarily characterized as dry or wet.

  • Seasonal Variation: Areas near the poles experience four distinct seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter).

  • Nature of Climate Change: Changes occur slowly allowing for adaptation; however, recent rapid climactic changes are significantly influenced by human activities.

Factors Defining Climate

  • Main Variables: Temperature and precipitation.

  • Temperature Measurement: Measured with a thermometer or can be subjectively felt. Influences daily weather and lifestyle (clothing choices, activities).

  • Influencing Factors on Temperature:

    • Latitude

    • Proximity to large water bodies

    • Elevation.

Precipitation Aspects

  • Characteristics:

    • Includes type, amount, and frequency of precipitation.

    • Impacts attire and available activities.

    • Influenced by the geographical layout (mountain ranges, wind patterns).

Lesson 9.2: Factors Affecting Climate

Latitude

  • Effect: As latitude moves north or south of the equator, average temperature generally decreases.

  • Components: The latitudinal position defines climate; dictated by Earth's axial tilt.

Latitude Sections

  • Five Main Latitudinal Sections:

    • Equator (0°)

    • Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N)

    • Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S)

    • Arctic Circle (66.5° N)

    • Antarctic Circle (66.5° S)

  • Polar Regions: North Pole (90° N), South Pole (90° S).

Earth's Axial Tilt

  • Tilt Angle: Earth is tilted at 23.5°.

  • Seasons: The tilt and revolution influence sunlight distribution, resulting in seasonal variations (equator receives direct sunlight year-round).

Impact of Bodies of Water on Climate

  • Thermal Regulation: Water bodies exhibit milder temperatures; their heat absorption and retention influences nearby climates.

    • Coastal areas are generally cooler than inland.

  • Island Climate Variation:

    • Windward side (facing the sea): cool and moist.

    • Leeward side (facing away from the wind): warm and dry.

Ocean Currents Role

  • Patterns: Currents can alter local climate conditions.

    • Warm currents lead to warmer climates.

    • Cold currents lead to cooler climates.

  • Moisture Transport: Sea winds contribute moisture, crucial for cloud and rain formation.

Elevation's Effect on Temperature

  • General Principle: Temperature decreases with elevation increase.

  • Measurements: Average temperature drops by approximately 6.5°C per kilometer gained in elevation.

Factors Influencing Precipitation

  1. Proximity to Mountain Ranges:

    • Orographic Effect: Moist air is lifted by mountains, cooling and leading to condensation and precipitation.

    • Rain Shadow Effect: Descending air on the leeward side warms and dries, leading to less rainfall.

  2. Wind:

    • Movement driven by solar heat distribution; influences climate and precipitation formation.

    • Rising warm air can create rain clouds while sinking air leads to fair weather.

Lesson 9.3: Climate Change and Global Warming

Climate Change Overview

  • Causes: Mainly attributed to human activities, especially industrialization which releases greenhouse gases.

  • Greenhouse Gases:

    • Function: Trap heat from the Sun, inhibiting its escape.

Greenhouse Effect Mechanism

  • Heat Retention: Trapped heat raises Earth’s surface temperature.

  • Consequences: Increases lead to more evaporation, precipitation shifts, sea-level rises, and disrupted climate patterns.

Composition of Earth’s Atmosphere

  • Major Components:

    • Nitrogen (78%)

    • Oxygen (21%)

    • Argon (0.93%)

  • Greenhouse Gases: Include carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, ozone, and nitrous oxide. Some are human-made (like CFCs).

Example of Greenhouse Gases: Venus

  • Climate Comparison: Venus’ thick CO2-rich atmosphere traps excessive heat (surface temp ~482°C), unlike Earth which has balanced carbon dioxide levels supporting life.

Greenhouse Effect Explanation

  • Function of Greenhouse Gases: Essential for life but can lead to dangerous global warming if excessive.

  • Impact of Even Minor Temperature Increases: A mere 1°C rise can severely affect living organisms.

Historical Climate Change

  • Natural Climate Fluctuations: Occurred over billions of years; marked by ice ages and varying sunlight reflection known as the albedo effect.

Causes of Climate Change

  • Factors driving natural climate change include:

    • Solar energy fluctuations

    • Variations in Earth's orbit

    • Axial tilt changes

    • Greenhouse gas increases, particularly CO₂.

Carbon Footprint

  • Definition: Represents the total CO₂ emissions resulting from an individual’s or group's activities (e.g., cooking, driving).

  • Relevance: Every person’s daily behavior contributes to global warming.

Ecological Footprint

  • Definition: Measures human resource usage versus Earth's regenerative capacity.

  • Overuse Issue: Since 1970s, humans have been overextending resources. By 2007, consumption was equivalent to using 1.5 Earths, potentially rising to 2 Earths by 2030.

COVID-19 Impact on Carbon Emissions

  • Observation: During lockdowns, a decrease in human activity led to a carbon emissions drop and a 9.3% reduction in ecological footprint between 2019 and 2020.

Deadly Effects of Global Warming

  1. Stronger Storms & Extreme Weather: Warmer oceans contribute to increased storm intensity.

  2. Melting Polar Ice Caps: Results in sea-level rises impacting low-lying areas.

  3. Flooding Risk: Increased flooding in vulnerable regions.

  4. Heatwaves: More frequent and intense heatwaves.

  5. Natural Disasters: Greater incidence of fires and wildfires.

  6. Biodiversity Loss: Reduced species diversity; leads to extinction events.

  7. Economic Consequences: Property damage and loss of life incur substantial costs.

  8. Disease Spread: Warming trends allow insects like mosquitoes to expand into new territories, potentially carrying diseases.

Global Warming

  • Definition: Refers to long-term temperature rise of Earth's atmosphere.

  • Climate Change Effects: Includes altered rainfall patterns, enhanced storm activity, droughts, etc.

  • Region-specific Influence: Global warming has varying impacts; some areas may heat up while others cool down.

Activities Contributing to Global Warming

  1. Carbon Dioxide from Gasoline:

    • Mitigation Measures: Reduce driving, utilize public transport, carpooling, electric/hybrid vehicles, telecommuting.

  2. Fossil Fuels in Energy Production:

    • Mitigation Measures: Transition to renewable energy sources.

  3. Methane Emissions:

    • Sources: Livestock, landfills, wetlands, thawing Arctic.

    • Mitigation Measures: Adjust agricultural practices and dietary shifts.

  4. Chemical Fertilizer Use:

    • Concern: Nitrogen in fertilizers converts to nitrous oxide (N₂O).

    • Mitigation Measures: Prefer organic fertilizers and optimize application techniques.

  5. Deforestation:

    • Impact: Release of stored CO₂ when forests are cut.

    • Mitigation Measures: Reduce paper product usage, recycle, and promote tree conservation efforts.

Individual Actions Against Climate Change

  • Suggestions: Implement reusable bags, promote impactful recycling, plant native trees, conserve energy use, and switch to LED lighting.

Lesson 9.4: Impacts of Climate Change

1. Direct Temperature Impact

  • Extremely High Temp Risks: Climate change has driven temperatures beyond 40°C affecting daily life.

  • Monthly Trends: Hottest months in the Philippines typically are April and May; Tuguegarao noted for high temperature extremes.

2. Extreme Weather Events

  • El Niño & La Niña: Climate phenomena linked to changes in Pacific Ocean temperatures; both influence regional weather patterns.

    • El Niño Effects: Drought in Asia; increased rainfall in South America.

    • La Niña Effects: Enhanced rainfall in Asia; reduced rainfall in South America.

3. Water Quality and Scarcity

  • Pollution Risks: Climate change raises pollution concerns; floods spread contaminants (wastes and chemicals) into water bodies harming aquatic life.

  • Melting Ice Impact: Influences ocean properties affecting marine ecosystems.

4. Water Supply Effects

  • Evaporation Trends: Rising temperatures lead to increased evaporation causing both droughts and torrential rains.

  • Heavy Rain Risks: Excess rain can lead to contamination of water supplies, raising treatment difficulties; ecotourism adversely affected.

5. Soil Productivity Challenges

  • Drought/Excess Rain: Both result in lowered agricultural productivity; drought stunts growth, while floods may erode soil.

6. Climate-Sensitive Diseases

  • Emerging Health Issues: Warming and increased rainfall contribute to disease prevalence; highlighted conditions include dengue and heatstroke.

Heatstroke

  • Definition: Occurs from extreme heat exposure leading to body heat regulation failure.

  • Symptoms: Range from cramps to fainting; higher risk in older adults and athletes.

  • First Aid:

    • Cool the individual, remove excess clothing, apply ice, and seek immediate medical help.

Dengue Fever

  • Transmission: Spread by mosquitoes prevalent in warm and wet environments.

  • Symptoms: Include high fever, joint and muscle pain, severe fatigue.

  • Severe Outcomes: Abnormal temperature drops, potential bleeding, and abdominal distress.

  • First Aid Measures: Include daily monitoring, hydration encouragement, avoidance of mosquito exposure, and doctor consultation.

Waterborne Diseases

  • Causes: Prevalent during floods; common diseases include leptospirosis (from rat urine) and diarrhea (from contaminated water).

Foodborne Diseases

  • Sources of Contamination: Improper food handling potentially leads to diseases like salmonellosis and botulism.

  • Prevention Steps: Emphasize hygiene, check for food spoilage, and proper disposal of unsafe foods.

Population Displacement

  • Flooding Consequences: Forced evacuations from unsafe areas; some return after temporary displacements while others must permanently relocate.

Lesson 9.5: Addressing Climate Change

Global Responsibility

  • Disparity in Emissions: Low-emission countries often suffer climate change effects despite contributing minimal greenhouse gases; high-emission countries account for nearly 80% of global emissions.

  • Cooperation Necessity: Collaborative efforts essential, particularly from top polluters.

  • “Polluter Pays” Principle: Those causing pollution should undertake responsibility for its management.

Governmental Actions

  • Policy Approaches: Strategies include setting performance standards, pollution taxes, product labels, and firm pollution limits to combat climate change.

Conclusion

  • Gratitude expressed to the audience.