5.2.1Draw and label a diagram of the carbon cycle to show the processes involved Analyse the changes in concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide using historical records Explain the relationship between rises in concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide, methane and oxides of nitrogen and the enhanced greenhouse effect Outline the precautionary principle Evaluate the precautionary principle as a justification for strong action in response to the threats posed by the enhanced greenhouse effect Outline the consequences of a global temperature rise on arctic ecosystems.

 1 of main elements of organic molecs (carbs, ptns, lipids)  found in 1 of 4 “pools” ◦ Biosphere ◦ Ocean ◦ Atmosphere ◦ Sediment  Moved b/w them by biolog., geochem., industrial processes

 Photosynthesis ◦ Terr./aquatic; CO2 (atmosph/dissolved) removed & fixed into org cmpds  Respiration ◦ Metabolize org molecs, release CO2  Feeding ◦ C through trophic levels  Fossilization ◦ C trapped in sediment as coal, gas, oil  Combustion ◦ Burning of fossil fuels/biomass, release CO2

 Greenhouse effect: ◦ NATURAL process ◦ creates moderate temps on earth (life’s adapted) ◦ much less CO2 vs. Venus (200,000x more, sfc temp = ~20x higher ◦ Without it... avg global temperature would be -17 C

 a) Short wave solar radiation (light)  b) light penetrates the atmosphere and passes through the molecules of the atmosphere  c) Absorption by the ground and conversion to long wave infrared radiation (heat)  d)This warms the planet  e) Some infrared is lost to space as heat  f) Atmospheric gases particularly water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and CFC's  g) Greenhouse gases absorb infra-red radiation and scatter this rather than letting it escape to space. In effect this traps the heat energy.  h) Some light reflects off the outer surface of the atmosphere and never enters

 Human activities may be increasing CO2 levels & other G. gases (methane, N oxides)  May lead to increased global temps and climate change

Increased greenhouse gases will increase the particles (f) in the diagram.  more IR will be absorbed, scattered and retained as heat  Avg global temps will rise. ◦ Some models: 40C in next 50 years  predicted to cause global climate changes  “global warming” but while avg global temps rise, local effects may vary

 Trends: ◦ indicators of potential climate change  Mauna Loa, HI since 1958  Now worldwide database: keel.htm Search “trace gas measurements” keel.htm

 CO2’s released unevenly around world  Distribution of Vegetation  Lots of assumptions, factors affecting data analysis  BASIC TREND: increase  Ancient ice core data—longer database, variety of sources

 Temp determined by O isotopes (16:18)  Clear correlation b/w atm CO2 & temperature  DOESN’T mean causation  Levels today higher than ever in past  Dashed blue = extrapolation

 “If the effects of human-induced change would be large, perhaps catastrophic, those responsible for the change must prove that it will not do harm before proceeding.”

 Obligation actually falls on accused causers of climate change/enhanced greenhouse effect to show their actions are NOT damaging  If we wait til it’s proven....too late to reduce impacts  Better to respond now, even if in long term it turns out that case can’t be made!

 Skeptic approach: ◦ envtalists need to give conclusive evidence that ‘polluters’ are causing the harm  PP: ◦ ‘polluters’ need to demonstrate that their actions DO NOT cause harm—govts, industries, communities, individuals!!

 Increased freq & intensity of droughts  Flooding ◦ higher rainfalls, more snowmelts, rising sea levels  Declines in food production  Increased disease— ◦ (generally reduced by cold winters)... ◦ Malaria & Dengue fever CURRENTLY extending their distribution!   More extreme weather  Loss of biodiversity Sea level simulation

External Links to websites of climate change.  Weathervane, Environet, Climateark, GCRIO, UCSUSA, NET WeathervaneEnvironetClimatearkGCRIOUCSUSANET External Links to reducing your carbon foot print  Climatecrisis: calculate your carbon footprint. Climatecrisis  Energy efficient appliances find out about reducing your energy demands in the house hold. Energy efficient appliances  Simply insulate further information on positive responses to reducing your carbon foot print. Simply insulate  Cutting energy costs 10 ways to reduce your energy costs. Cutting energy costs  Energy Audit a self help guide to performing an energy audit on your home. Energy Audit  Standby energy leakage on those appliances that 'leak' power when left to stand-by. Standby energy leakage  Alternative energy sources alternative power sources to fossil fuels. Alternative energy sources  maximize fuel efficiency from your car making the most of the fuel in your driving. maximize fuel efficiency from your car  Hybridcars how hybrids work and a comparison with other methods. Hybridcars  Alternative car fuels Biodiesel, ethanol and more to put in your tank. Alternative car fuels  Fuel cell vehicles Hydrogen power fuel cells Fuel cell vehicles Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change in Developing Countries  article by Chris Ward (30th July 2007) for the World Resources Institute, considers fact that some are working towards own methods of adapting to climate change rather than how they will reduce climate change:World Resources Institute,  'Current scientific evidence shows, however, that some human-induced climate change is now inevitable and is in fact already occurring. which regions and groups are most vulnerable to predicted climate flux, how they might adapt to itis in fact already occurring

 Bill Heal, The Arctic is an Ecosystem Article  “Predicting changes over the next yrs is difficult!...Most recent model...mean annual temp of Arctic will rise about 4 C this century... ...coniferous forest will expand –at expense of tundra  Tundra will be ½-ed by 2100  Will continue to be C-sink b/c increased growth of forest will exceed increased decomposition