Chapter 7- Climate Change

Question 1

weather

Answer 1

atmospheric condition at any time or place

• temperature
• precipitation and humidity
• wind
• air pressure

Question 2

Climate

Answer 2

• over long term
• summary of variation in day to day weather for a given period
• mean (average) plus extremes (variation)

Question 3

Climate Change

Answer 3

long-term shift or alteration in the climate of a specific location, region or the entire planet
-looking at long term & on specific scales

Question 4

Category 4 & 5 hurricanes have

Answer 4

doubled in the last 30 years

Question 5

malaria has…

Answer 5

spread to higher altitudes in places that are 7000ft above sea level (Colombian Andes)
-temps is limiting factor of mosquitoes

Question 6

flow of ice from glaceirs in Greenland has…

Answer 6

doubled over the past decade

Question 7

Causes of climate (long term change)

Answer 7

• differential short-wave radiation from the sun (radiant energy)
• global circulation system (wind currents, ocean currents)
• return of solar radiation back to space

Question 8

Short Tem Changes in Climate

Answer 8

• large volcanic eruptions

- changes in ocean currents (El NIno, La Nina) (trade winds stop blowing=warming of waters)

Question 9

Long Term Changes in Climate

Answer 9

shape of Earth’s orbit around the sun- wobble of Earth’s axis, allows sun to hit at a certain angle
-changes intensity of solar radiation coming in

Question 10

Greenhouse effect

Answer 10

intensify concentration of gas in atmisphere so molecules hold onto heat in the atmosphere
-now on a global level

Question 11

Climate change evidence

Answer 11

Globally change in temperature of 0.6C +/- 0.2C. North hemisphere increased 3 to 6C

• greenhouse gas concentrations rising (increase in CO2 emissions and methane) from ice core analysis
• glaciers receeding in most areas
• reduced snow and ice cover
• arctic sea ice coverage (declining at a rate of 13% per decade, 40% thickness (happening rapidly due to +ve feedback loop and albedo effect)
• melting permafrost
• rising sea levels past 0.1to 0.2mm/yr to 1-2mm/yr

Question 12

Explanations

Answer 12

1. Significant increase in greenhouse gases in atmosphere since the industrial revolution
2. fall in atmospheric O2 at the same rate as fossil fuel emissions (CO2) increasing
3. Change in proportion of carbon isotopes in atmosphere- atmosphere being enriched with carbon from fossil fuel sources (70-90% increase) *direct link to humans

Question 13

Carbon

Answer 13

sources- fossil fuel combustion

-deforestation (takes away ability to take CO2 from atmosphere and stored as biomass)

Question 14

Methane

Answer 14

-smaller quantities but traps 25 to 30x the heat
Sources: organic decay, natural gas production, burning vegetation (+deforestation), wetlands drying, manure, ^forest fires
-DANGEROUS

Question 15

Nitrous Oxide

Answer 15

sources- nitrogen fertilizers, burning of fossil fuels and biomass, nylon production, manure production, types of crops, leaching, spraying fertilizers, tailpipe emissions

Question 16

Ozone

Answer 16

reduces warming in stratosphere (why we don’t want holes in ozone)

• greenhouse gas in troposphere
• sources- photochemical reaction with combustion gases to form smog
• ground level smog= tailpipe emissions high density traffic flow

Question 17

4 components of the atmosphere

Answer 17

troposphere- weather 99% water vapour, region where gases mix
Stratosphere- blocks UV, ozone layer
Mesosphere- coldest part of atmosphere
Thermosphere- outer space, satellites, aurora borealis

Question 18

Climate Change Model Consider 5 components

Answer 18

1. Net Radiation
2. Energy Dynamics
3. Surface processes
4. Chemistry of atmosphere
5. Scales of time and place

Question 19

General Circulation Model (GCMs)

Answer 19

Strengths- very complex, 3D dimensions, good at temperature prediction,
Limitations- very complex, highly variable, scarcity of data, poor predictor of precipitation and oceans, can be wrong, don’t have all the data we need and can’t get all of it, data you put in MUST be very very good

Question 20

Which 3 main greenhouse gases produced by human activity were identified in the Kyoto Protocol?

Answer 20

1. CO2
2. Nitrous oxide
3. Methane

Question 21

What are 3 oher GHGs released in small quantities but are also long lasting and significant?

Answer 21

1. hydrofluourocarbons (HFCs)- refridgerant
2. perfluorocarbons (PFCs)- medical applications
3. Sulphur hexaflouride- SF6- used in electrical industry and filling space in windows

Question 22

In December 2002 Canada signed on to the Kyoto Protocol and vowed that by 2012 it would reduce emissions from the 1990 level by 6%. What are the current emisisons in Canada relative to 1990?

Answer 22

+27% and growing!

Question 23

What is a main repository for carbon?

Answer 23

Forests- deforestation is a main cause in increasing CO2. Much of carbon returned to atmosphere when trees are cut down
planting trees=big carbon absorption

Question 24

Which greenhouse gas traps 25 to 30 times more heat per molecule than CO2?

Answer 24

Methane (organic decay in wetlands, manure, waste products of ruminants (sheep and cattle), land-use change (waste disposal sites increase 0.75 to 1% every year)

Question 25

What greenhouse gas is produced naturally in soils and water but is increased through human use?

Answer 25

Nitrous oxide- application of fertilizers, increase in agricultural land, burning of fossil fuels and biomass

Question 26

What can you do to decrease greenhouse gases?

Answer 26

1. Reduce fossil fuel consumption
2. Make your home and campus energy efficient
3. Encourage investment in renewable resources
4. Plant a tree
5. voice your concerns