Climate systems and past climate Flashcards
Give a statistical indication that climate is warming?
12 of the past 13 years between 1995 to 2007 were progressively the hottest on record
How have cold and hot days changed on average across the globe over the past 100 years?
Hot days INCREASED
Cold days DECREASED
How much has sea level risen from 1993-2003?
3mm
How much has snow cover reduced ?
10%
What temperature change is expected from a doubling of CO2 content in the atmosphere?
Between 2.1-4.4c.
As a marker, the global mean temperature difference between now and the last ice age was 4.5c. But we are going in the opposite direction, to warm.
Deforestation is increasing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. But why is the loss of carbon in the tropics not as great as it otherwise would be?
More carbon in the atmosphere = more trees growing faster. Rainforests are growing at a faster rate when planted which is holding more CO2.
What is the problem with the new forests which have grown?
They do not have the same biodiversity or ecosystem services as mature forests.
How does a strong El Nino impact on Co2?
More CO2 is released in strong El Nino years
How can melting of permafrost impact the carbon cycle?
Carbon is stored beneath the permafrost layer. When it thaws this is released into the atmosphere.
