Geo 3B: Explanation of key concepts

Question 1

Define weather

Answer 1

Refers to the short term changes that occur in the atmosphere(minutes to months). Elements of weather that indicate change can include temperature, humidity and precipitation. It is a ‘snap shot’ of the atmosphere at a particular time. e.g. daily weather forecasts.

Question 2

Define climate

Answer 2

Refers to the description of the long term pattern of weather in a particular area. It is about long term records, trends and averages. Decades to centuries.

Question 3

Define climate change

Answer 3

Refers to any significant statistical difference in the measurements of temperature and precipitation in a particular place over the long term(decades or thousands of years). It occurs when the long term weather pattern demonstrates a general warming or cooling of the atmosphere(compared to the average).
The Earth’s climate over the last 2.5 million years has fluctuated between glacial and interglacial periods. The causes of climate change may result from natural processes(e.g. volcanic activity) or anthropogenic activity(e.g. combustion of fossil fuels).
E.g. since mid 20th century, Australia has experienced a 1 degree increase in temperature.