The Climate Change debate and pollution

Question 1

What is the main evidence for global warming (physical data)

Answer 1

1. Surface Temperature Increase (0.02 dgC/yr since 1960)
2. Reduction in Artic Sea-Ice extent (0.03million km^2/yr)
3. Global sea level rise (3.4 mm/yr)

Question 2

Explain arguments why people do not believe in global warming

Answer 2

Example 1: Climate changed before vs Climate reacts to whatever forces it to change at the time; humans being the dominating force right now

Example 2: It is the sun vs past 35 yrs of GW, sun and climate have gone in opposite directions

Example 3: There is no consensus vs 97% of climate experts agree humans are causing GW

Question 3

List and explain the different waste classes

Answer 3

1. Degradable (organic material, bacterial attack)
2. Fertilisers (nitrates and phosphates, promotes eutrophication)
3. Particulates (solid/liq matter in atmosphere)
4. Dissipating (conc. of source, localised effect)
5. Conservative (recyclable/plastics/metals)

Question 4

What are the major gases in the atmosphere and their abundance

Answer 4

Nitrogen: 78.1%
Oxygen: 20.9%
Argon: 0.9%
Other gases (CO2, Ne, He, CH4, H2): 0.04%

Question 5

Examples of natural and human-induced atmospheric emissions

Answer 5

Anthropogenic: Oxides/CFCs
Nature: Lava (particulates), HCl gas, CO2, H2S, SO2