Unit 1: Climate Change Flashcards
Anthropogenic sources of climate change are due to
increased release of greenhouse gases
what are greenhouse gases
vapor in atmospher + solar radiation
The [–] and [–] of solar radiation by greenhouse gases [–] average annual global temperatures
The absorbance and re-emission of solar radiation by greenhouse gases increases average annual global temperatures
The albedo effect
- describes the gain from light colored objects
- reflection of radiation
the color of roofs
one response to climate change is to [–] the use of [–] building materials to [–] energy use in [–] climates
one response to climate change is to increase the use of light-colored building materials to reduce energy use in hot climates
Greenhouse gases may be [–] or [–]
naturally occuring or anthropogenic (man-made)
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere made up of
- 95% water vapor
- 3.6% CO2
- 1.4% Other
Man-Made greenhouse gases are made up of
- 84% CO2
- 9% Methane
- 5% Nitrous Oxide
- 2% Flourinated Gases (2%)
Anthropogenic greenhouse gases come from which activities?
- 21.3% **Power Stations **
- 16.8% **Industrial Processes **
- 14% **Transportation Fuels **
- 12.5% **Agricultural byproducts **
- 11.3% **Fossil fuel retrieval, processing, and distribution **
- 10.3% **Residential, commercial and other sources **
- 10.0% **Land use and biomass burning **
- 3.4% **Waste disposal & treatment **
CO2 impact on climate change
- 75%
- long-term
- several methods for recycling
- 65%-80% removal within as little as 20 years (or up to 200)
CO2 + H2O <–> H2CO3 <–> HCO3 + H+
Methane impact on climate change
- 14%
- relatively short-lived (~12 years) but potent
N2O (nitrous oxide) impact on climate change
- 8%
- ~100 years
CFCs impact on climate change
- 1.1%
- may last up to 100-1000 years
- generally banned
- they stay in environment for long periods of time
Global temperature data show an overall [–] trends, most likely due to increased greenhouse gas emissions
upward trend
* the bread basket of US is predicted to move North
* sugar maples have already shifted North
Data that support the evidence of climate change come from
a number of sources (proxies)
Tree ring variation indicates weather in [–]
temperate forests
why do tree rings indicate weather
- temperate forests have seasons -> allow for variation in bands
- summer = rapid growth of bands = light bands
- winter = slow growth of bands = dark band
coral bands reflect [–]
environmental changes
why do coral bands show environmental changes
- coral bands grow slowly but consistently
- can measure width of band year by year
- this tells us the conditions it grew in
Documentary proxies include [–] and [–] records, but may generate [–]
Documentary proxies include business and cultural records, but may generate false correlations
What were the frost fairs
- held on the frozen Thames up until mid-19th century when better flow managment (widening, weirs) removed the threat of ponding and premature freezing
- around mid-1800s they widened the river and were able to control the flow of water
- the water didn’t freeze
- this does not support evidence of global warming
shorter growing seasons lead to
plants growing/blooming earlier
cherry trees example
proxies may be
hard to analyze
alaskan ice classic example
El nino
- periodic disturbance in wind patterns generated in the Pacific ocean
- The Christ Child
- warms ocean waters on the western coast of S. America
- decrease fishing productivity
- extended Pacific jet stream, amplified storm track
La nina
- alternative pattern that also affects winter weather patterns
- shifting jet-stream farther up
El nino timing can be used to
- predict “clear sky” flooding
- the higher the water level on a clear day, the worse floods will be once a storm arrives
water levels are higher during el nino years
El nino is [–] likely to continue this fall
95%
[–] is the 5th most likely city to flood due to sea level rise in the US
Boston
By 2050, [–] may inundate much of downtown bost
- high tides
- storm surges will have an even greater effect
A [–] increase is likely to cause profound changes to agriculture and other buisness
4 degree
Climate change may [–] some while [–]
economically benefit some while hurting others
Climate change and increased demands are predicted to lead to [–] by 2025
freshwater stress
The south pacific island/nation [–] may be subsumed by 2100
- Kiribati
- it is estimated that in 30-60 years the country will be inundated by seawater and uninhabitable because of the loss of fresh water supplies
