Climte Change Flashcards
Why is climate change an issue right now?
Earth’s average surface temperature has risen 0.6C during the last century. Some scientists predict the increase in average global temperature this century could be between 1.4 and 5.8.
It’s not the temperature change that’s concerning…it’s the rate (how quickly) of change that is the problem.
If records for the past 5 years have been record breaking, that’s bad
Natural != problem Man-made != problem
Is water vapour a problem in climate change?
NO, as it is part of the natural greenhouse effect. It’s not a cause but a consequence.
It has both positive and negative feedback.
What are the two water vapour feedbacks (positive and negative)?
Positive: +Warming -> +Water Vapour -> +Warming…
Negative: +Warming -> +Water Vapour -> +Clouds -> -Warming
(Review) What are the 6 GHGs?
- Water vapour
- CO2
- Nitrous Oxides
- CFCs
- Ground Level Ozone
- Methane
The Enhanced Greenhouse Effect is caused by four factors relating to the warming potential of non-H20 greenhouse gases. What are they?
The Enchanced Greenhouse Effect is human caused.
- Rate of Increase Since 1850s–Industrial Revolution (Amount of gas entering atmosphere)
- Effect the gas has on atmospheric chemistry (Or other gases)
- Actual Global Warming Potential (How well it absorbs heat)
- Length of Time Each Gas Stays in Atmosphere (Lifetime)
Increase
Chemistry/Reaction
Heat Potential
Lifespan
Why is carbon dioxide such an issue? Use the carbon cycle to explain.
60% of GHG contribution is CO2; it is the worst one.
Carbon occurs everyone, whether it’s in atmosphere, as carbonates in limsetone and crust, in fossil fuels like coal, as hydrocarbons in oil and natural gas.
Lots in living things too.
Carbon Cycle: Largest annual exhange of matter. Atmospheric CO2 has risen by 31% from 1750-2002. Reason is the rate in which we burn coal, oil, and NG. We use this energy for transportation, electric energy generation, heating and cooling buildings.
What is a carbon sink?
A major source or reservoir of carbon compounds. They include carbon dioxide in the atmosohere and carbon dioxide dissolved in oceans.
Why are CO2 levels higher in Janurary (peak) than October (minimum)
In the summer, the taiga forests in the Northern Hemisphere (majority of land) are active.
Keeling graph.
However, it’s still increasing; the increase is bigger than the decease.
Explain why some of the other GHGs are less of a problem.
Methane: “natural gas”, natural decay, heat homes, 20% GHGs -> Biomass: methane from organic
N2O: we don’t release lots, but holds lots of heat
CFCs: coolant, bad for O3 layer; Montreal protocol stopped it: has a warming potential 12000x of CO2 (but less in atmos)W
What are general circulation models?
GCM are complex mathematical models that are used to predict future climate change on Earth.
What two uncertainties are there in predicting the future climate change on Earth?
- The amount of GHGs that will be emitted in the future
- How climates will respond to an increase in GHGs (what the overall feedback loops look like)
What are some specific effects of global warming? (if CO2 doubled)
- In Canada: Less Taiga, More Deciduous/Grass/Desert
- Crops: Drought, Pest, Flood
- Marine/Costal Ecosystem: More aciidity > Impacts food chains, bad for ecosystem
- Rising Sea Levels because of thermal expansion
- Human Health: More heat waves, more disease, worse AQI, worse water quality
What is the Kyoto Accord/Protocol?
- Designed to encourage countries to reduce GHG emissions
- Goal was to reduce GHG emissions by an average 5.2% below the 1990 levels by 2012
What are some criticisms of the Kyoto Accord?
1) US didn’t even sign.
2) No consequences
In December 11, Canada withdrew from the KA. Committed to cutting 6% below 1990 levels, Canada was actually 17% higher in 2009. Rather than face financial penalties, Canada withdrew, which faced sharp critisim.
What was the Durban Agreement and why did it fail?
The Durban agreement signed in 12/2011, taking into effect in 2015, rpovided mangement frameworks for dealing with carbon emissions. But it’s too vague, and less harsh than the Kyoto Accord.
