Lecture 21: Climate Change Flashcards
Climate
Which definition corresponds to which concept?
1. The long-term patterm of weather in a particular area.
2. The short-term conditions of the variables in a given region.
- Weather and climate?
- The long-term patterm of weather in a particular area = CLIMATE.
- The short-term conditions of the variables in a given region = WEATHER.
Climate
Wtf is paleoclimatology?
The study of ancient climates, using proxy variables s.a. non-biotic evidence like sediments/ice cores + biotic evidence s.a. tree rings and corals.
Solar radiation
Global climate patterns are determined by what?
1 - 2?
Solar energy and the Earth’s movement in space.
Solar radiation
Wtf is TSI?
Total solar irradiance, aka the rate at which energy from the sun reaches the top of Earth’s atmosphere.
Solar radiation
When variations occur in TSI (rare - 11 year solar cycle and very stable) what 2 factors cause them?
1 - 2?
- Sunspots: dark blotches on the sun with high magnetic forces, hence cooler and darker.
- Faculae: bright blotches on surface of the sun, more radiation than normal, hence TSI increases.
Solar radiation
- When the Earth is closest to the Sun, it is said to be … - occurs each [date?]
- When the Earth is farthest to the Sun, it is said to be … - occurs each [date?]
- When the Earth is closest to the Sun, it is said to be PERIHELION - occurs each January 3rd.
- When the Earth is farthest to the Sun, it is said to be APHELION - occurs each July 4th.
Solar radiations
What causes the seasons as the Earth orbits around the Sun?
Earth’s axis being TILTED by 23.5°.
Climate Change
What is CLIMATE CHANGE?
- Climate change is a significant and lasting ____ in the statistical ____ of ____ ____ over periods ranging from ____ to millions of years.
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years.
Climate Change - Anthropogenic!
What is ANTHROPOGENIC climate change?
Anthropogenic climate change refers the ____ in ____ associated with the ____ of ____ ____ emitted by ____ activity.
Anthropogenic climate change refers the change in climate associated with the production of greenhouse gases emitted by human activity.
Climate change
What are the 4 causes of climate change globally?
- Solar output
- Milankovitch cycles
- Volcanoes
- CO2 emissions
Causes of Climate Change
What is the most immediate cause of climate changes?
The changes in the total irradiance of the Sun (TSI).
Causes of Climate Change
Wtf is the Milakovitch Cycles and why do they have an impact of Climate Change?
- Define
- Responsible for…
- Definition: periodic changes in Earth’s rotation and orbit around the sun.
- Responsible for: sequences of ice age + warm periods across geological time.
- TOO SLOW to explain current climate fluctuations.
Causes of Climate Change
What do volcanoes cause to the atmosphere and is it comparable to human activity?
Volcanoes are important source of greenhouse gases, but CO2 output = 0.13GT and Anthropogenic CO2 emissions = 35GT.
Causes of Climate Change
What is responsible for the vast majority of the current climate changes and why?
CO2 emissions - greenhouse gases associated with human activity - fossil fuel combustion, industries and transportation.
Causes of Climate Change
Wtf is a greenhouse gas + 3 major GHG’s?
Greenhouse gas: gas in atmosphere that absorbs + emits radiation within the thermal and infrared range.
1. H2O
2. CO2
3. CH4
