Climate Change

Question 1

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 1

a process by which heat enters the atmosphere and instead of being reflected back into space, carbon and other atmospheric gases reflect heat back at earth.

Question 2

What are greenhouse gases?

Answer 2

Atmospheric gases that absorb infrared radiation produced by solar warming of the earths surface.
ex.
CO2, methane (CH4), water vapour, nitrous oxide.

Question 3

What is the biggest contributor to greenhouse gases?

Answer 3

CO2 at 78%

Question 4

What is the best proof we have of increased greenhouse gases?

Answer 4

Mauna loa observatory air quality experiment by kneeling and wharf that documents a steady increase in CO2 concentration over about 50 years.

Question 5

What other things other than temperature are being effected by global warming?

Answer 5

Sea levels and snow cover in the northern hemisphere.

Question 6

From 1850-2000, how has climate change effected sea levels, temp and snow cover?

Answer 6

• Almost 1 degree global temp rise
• About 18cm rise in sea level
• Noticeable loss of snow cover

Question 7

Climate change can be differentiated from natural cycles by:

Answer 7

observing whether it lasts for longer than 20 years. A change that continues after 20 years is referred to as a trend and in indicative of non natural agents.

Question 8

What natural processes could cause climate change?

Answer 8

Natural processes such as sun spots and volcanic eruptions.

Question 9

What is global warming largely attributed to?

Answer 9

• enhancement of natural greenhouse effect by the addition of GHG.
• ozone hole is not a significant contributor.

Question 10

Is the global temperature rise uniform?

Answer 10

No, change is not equal in all places. The most significant is the arctic where temperatures are formatted to increase by up to 7 degrees C

Question 11

In BC, where is the change greater?

Answer 11

In the interior, since the coast has a high maritime influence.

Question 12

Why is there still debate over climate change with so much evidence?

Answer 12

• cant fully trust computer models
• some leading scientists question CC
• some arguments (water vapour is of a higher volume than co2) not true due to cycling of water.

Question 13

What are the potential impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems?

Answer 13

Changes to Natural Disturbance
-frequency/intensity/type
Changes to other natural processes
-decomposition and nutrient cycling, greater growth rates due to CO2 temperature and growing season.
Changes to species and ecosystems
-habitat change leads to species change

Question 14

Potential impacts on biodiversity?

Answer 14

• ecosystem/species shifts
• plant community shifts
• local loss of ecosystems (wetland/alpine)
• changes in habitat quality/availability
• changes in species synchrony

Question 15

Important factors governing species response to climate change?

Answer 15

• Rate of change
• Ability to adapt
• Fragmentation/ distance of relocation
• Competition
• Predator / Prey

Question 16

Potential impacts on water from Climate change?

Answer 16

• sea levels
• higher precipitation over shorter periods
• extreme storm events due to greater air pressure differentials
• Less water available in drier regions.
• changes to hydrology, streams and water have adverse effects on fish and other aquatics.

Question 17

What are the impacts of CC on forestry operations?

Answer 17

Forest Productivity (warmer - higher, drier - lower)
Forest Health (Yellow cedar dieback, Bark beetle epidemics, spruce weevil.)
Tree species (Range of suitable sites altered, competition)
Economics (net impact uncertain, extreme weather and natural disturbance.)

Question 18

What can we do about climate change?

Answer 18

• forest growth measurement and models
• update planting guidelines and promote mix to reduce loss
• pest resistant stock
• fire abatement and control, wind throw mgt.
• Conservation (reserve design)
• Assisted migration corridors for species

Question 19

Why does bunnel refer to global warming as global weirding?

Answer 19

“Global weirding” embraces all phenomena associated with climate change: increases in average temperatures, heat waves, cold spells, floods, droughts, hurricanes, blizzards, plant and animal die-offs, population explosions, new animal migration patterns, plus dramatic regional differences.