4.4 Climate Change Flashcards
Greenhouse Effect
is a process by which thermal radiation from the earth’s surface is absorbed by atmospheric greenhouse gas. Sunlight passes through the atmosphere and warms the earth, long wave radiation is emitted from the earth to give off excess heat so that the earth doesn’t get too hot.
Greenhouse Gases
the impact of a greenhouse gas on the earth is its ability to absorb long wave radiation along with its concentration in the atmosphere. Because of this CO2 is the most concerning GG as although it doesn’t absorb as much heat as some other GG there is much much more of it in the atmosphere. It also lasts in the atmosphere for around 100 years.
Climate Patterns
global temperatures and climate patterns are influenced by concentrations of GG. There is a correlation between rising atmospheric concentrations of CO2 since the start of the industrial revolution and the GT. Recent increases of CO2 are due to increases in the combustion of fossilised organic matter.
Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
the natural greenhouse effect is enhanced by emissions of GG by human activities such as FF consumption. The enhanced greenhouse effect means that the earth reflects less heat and aborbs more.
Effects of the Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
melting of polar ice cap reduction of summer sea ice thawing of permafrost (releasing methane and other bacteria) increasing sea levels decrease in ocean salinity changing weather patterns change in natural habitat and loss of biodiversity acidification of oceans bleaching of coral reefs
Ocean Acidification
as CO2 in the ocean increases ocean pH decreases and becomes more acidic. With ocean acidification, corals can’t absorb the CaCO3 they need to maintain their skeletons and the reefs dissolve.
Coral Bleaching
as the sea temperatures rise, the supply of plankton decreases. Coral feeds on plankton and hence with reduced food supply the coral turns white. Bleached coral are weak and less able to combat disease.
Paris Agreement
created in 2016, based in the UN, signed by 194 countries
‘hold global average temperature to less that 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels’ by reducing carbon emissions
Solutions to Global Warming
reduce use of fossil fuels
increase forest planting
reduce deforestation
increase usage of renewable energy sources
low carbon emission farming practices
boosting energy efficiency
adding iron into to sea to boost phytoplankton growth
individual - one car, dairy free, buy locally etc.
The Precautionary Principle
holds that if the effects of human induced change would be very large, perhaps catastrophic, those responsible for the change would have to prove that it will not do harm before proceeding. Reverse from normal situation where those who are concerned about the change have to prove that it will do harm in order to prevent such changes going ahead.
