1. Topic 4 & Option C: Ecology and Conservation
Topic 4.4 – Climate Change

2. 1 – Greenhouse Gases Read & Consider 4.4.1-4.4.2 & 4.4.8
Give examples of greenhouse gases.

3. Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases – atmospheric gases that absorb infrared radiation and includes:
CO2
H2O vapor naturally occurring
CH4 methane
Nitrous oxide (nitrogen oxides) – waste from fossil fuel combustion and chip bags
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) – propellants in aerosol cans and refrigerator coolant.

4. Increasing CO2
Carbon dioxide currently forms only 0.04% of the atmospheric gases
Rises in CO2 and other greenhouse gases such as methane and water vapor are enhancing the natural greenhouse effect.

5. The Precautionary Principle
Precautionary Principle – “Better Safe than Sorry”
Discuss if the possible consequences of rapid global warming are devastating enough, preventive measures are justified even if it is far from certain that rapid global warming will result from current human activities.
TOK

6. 2 – Earth’s Temperature Read & Consider 4.4.1-4.4.2 & 4.4.8
What changes could increasing temperature have on Earth?

7. Warming Method
Heat is trapped in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases to heat Earth’s surface.

8. Climate Change Some possible outcomes of warming include:
Melting of ice caps and glaciers
Rise in sea-level and subsequent flooding
Changes in climate patterns, which in turn will alter ecosystems
Increases in the rate of photosynthesis due to increased CO2 and longer seasons of active growth in plants

9. Specific Changes
Coral Reef
The Arctic

10. Mauna Loa Data Analysis -
Complete the Mauna Loa assignment to explore recent CO2 data and determine your personal contribution to rising atmospheric CO2.

11. Works Cited
Crawford, Alyson. "Coral Reef Ecosystem | Publish with Glogster!" Glogster. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb
"The Greenhouse Effect." The Greenhouse Effect. EDF Energy, n.d. Web. 24 Feb
"Science Clarified." Greenhouse Effect. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb
Sharp, Tim. "What Is the Temperature on Earth? | Space.com." Space.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb