LEC 9: Climate Change Flashcards
3 main GHG’s responsible for blocking the exit of longwave thermal radiation?
Methane, Nitrous Oxide, CO2
What’s Direct Radiative Forcing?
How GHG’s trap outgoing thermal radiation …
GHG’s increase sharply around the time of the …
Industrial revolution.
What kind of greenhouse effect is the greenhouse effect?
An enhanced greenhouse effect.
CO2 contributes roughly how much to the anthropogenic increase?
55% of the anthropogenic increase
Warming should increase evaporate and then cool the planet (positive feedback) … HOWEVER …
Vapor creates clouds, damnit (often blocks outgoing radiation).
Clouds have 2 effects …
Albedo (reflecting sun back) but also trapping heat in.
Stratospheric vs. Tropospheric Ozone
Stratospheric ozone = negative forcing (good!) … Tropospheric = positive forcing (BAD)
What substances cause the most negative forcing (offsetting the damage, slightly) …
Aerosols (also human-made), like DUST and stuff.
What kind of effect do Aerosols have on direct radiative forcing?
Negative forcing … (which is a good thing).
Indirect cooling
increased cloud coverage (albedo)
Direct cooling
reflection (?) okay.
GHG concentration FIRST began to change when?
8 Kya / rice patties / cattle
What season comes early because C.C.?
Spring
Most highly affected region during C.C.?
Arctic.
Will summers be much warmer?
No. Winters will be.
What GHG is sequestered in Permafrost?
Methane.
Word for decrease in ocean pH
acidification
Acidification is …
decrease in ocean pH
C.C. effects will be uniform around the world.
No.
Greenland’s Jacobshavn Glacier
retreated by 40 KM
Acidification prevents “who” from doing “what”?
Plankton from making protective shells
What are the basis of marine food web?
Plankton
Permafrost is where the ground is frozen for how long …
at least 2 years
