Climate Lesson 1

Weather and Climate Although weather and climate are related, they are not the same thing. Weather - refers specifically to the environmental conditions that occur at a particular place at a particular time. Temperature, air pressure, cloud cover, and precipitation. The effects of weather are immediate and obvious.

Weather and Climate Climate - is the average weather conditions that occur in a region over a long period of time, usually a minimum of 30 years. Average monthly temperatures and precipitation, average wind speed and direction, and a variety of other data. Climate is studied by climatologists

Weather and Climate The climate of an area is affected by many factors. The four main factors are: Latitude, elevation, the air masses that flow over the area, and the area’s nearness to large bodies of water

How Climate Affects Your Life The climate of a region determines the basic needs of people who live there. Clothing, agriculture, and housing are affected by the region’s climate. Other examples include: Melting Sea Ice, Warmer Oceans, More flooding, Changing organisms

The Sun: Source of All Energy Both weather and climate depend on the amount of energy in a region. Almost all the energy on Earth is initially solar radiation Radiation transmitted as waves from the Sun. Different regions on Earth’s surface receive different amounts of solar radiation. In general,

Earth’s Biosphere The climate of a region is also affected by interactions among components of Earth’s biosphere. The relatively thin layer of Earth that has conditions suitable for supporting life. It is composed of all the living things on Earth and the physical environment that supports them.

Earth’s Biosphere Earth may be divided into four spheres Biosphere (bio = living, Sphere = ball) ; The living layer around the planet Includes – atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere

Earth’s Biosphere Atmosphere (atmos = gas) ; The gas layer around the planet Lithosphere (lithos = rock); The rock layer around the planet Hydrosphere (hydro = water); The water layer around the planet

Natural Greenhouse Effect The greenhouse effect is a natural process. The natural greenhouse effect is necessary to make the Earth's surface warm enough to support life. The greenhouse gases in the atmosphere behave like a heating blanket to keep the Earth at a suitable temperature for life. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= LFNKfWyGxHw&feature=related

Greenhouse Effects A process in which certain gases in Earth’s atmosphere absorb heat from the Sun and heat radiated from Earth’s surface. The greenhouse effect: Sun's rays move towards the Earth's surface, The Sun's rays are absorbed and warm the Earth, Some solar energy is reflected, Infrared energy is re-emitted from the Earth, infrared energy is re-emitted by the greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse Gases These gases trap infrared radiation which is re-emitted from the Earth and warms the Earth and lower atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are necessary for the survival of life on Earth.

Greenhouse Gases The main greenhouse gases are: ozone water vapour Freon and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) methane nitrogen oxide carbon dioxide http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Experiments/PlanetEarthScience/GlobalWarming/GW_Movie3.php

Carbon Cycle The carbon cycle moves carbon through parts of Earth’s surface, living organisms, and the atmosphere (Figure ). The processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration are mainly responsible for the cycling of carbon. Large quantities of carbon are not cycled. Instead, they are stored as carbon-rich deposits beneath Earth’s surface.

Carbon Cycle Diagram

Anthropogenic Greenhouse Effect The additional greenhouse gas emissions are causing the anthropogenic greenhouse effect, which is the enhancement of the natural greenhouse effect due to human activities. The most significant greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide. Any process that releases carbon dioxide to the atmosphere is called a carbon source. Example: Burning fossil fuels and the cellular respiration.

Greenhouse Gases Greenhouse Gases Sources Carbon dioxide CO2 Burning coal, oil, gasoline, and natural gas Cement making Deforestation Methane CH4 Production of petroleum products Rice paddies, landfills, cattle Natural gas leaks Coal mining Nitrous Oxide N2O Fertilizer

Greenhouse Gases, Global Warming, and Climate Change Temperatures from 1880 to 2008 indicate that the 8 warmest years have all occurred since 1998. The warming trend is known as global warming, The observed increase in Earth’s average annual temperature.

Greenhouse Gases, Global Warming, and Climate Change Global warming is leading to climate change, The significant long-term change in expected climate patterns.

Human Activities Contribute to Climate Change

Renewable and Non-renewable Resources

Carbon Footprint A Carbon footprint is your unique individual contribution to the amount of anthropogenic atmospheric carbon dioxide. What activities do you think are used to establish a footprint? Divide these activities into those that reduce vs. increase your footprint.

Carbon Footprint Quiz As a class we will visit: http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/inde x.php/GFN/page/calculators/