1. May 21, 2018
Journal: Why are bacteria important to the nitrogen cycle?

2. Global Climate System and Climate Change

3. Weather vs. Climate Weather: day to day change in the atmosphere
Climate: the weather of a place averaged over a long period of time

4. Solar Radiation
The climate system is powered by incoming radiation from the sun
Once it enters the atmosphere:
Some is absorbed by the Earth’s surface
Some is reflected back into space

5. Angle of Solar Radiation
The angle of incoming solar radiation influences the climate in that area
More direct solar radiation occurs at the equator leading to warmer temperatures

6. Albedo
The amount of solar radiation reflected from the Earth back into space

7. Differences in Surface Albedo
Earth’s surfaces have different albedos
Clouds, snow, and ice have the highest levels of albedo
Oceans have the lowest levels of albedo

8. Greenhouse Effect
Some of the heat that gets reflected off the Earth’s surface gets trapped by the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which helps warm the surface of the planet

9. Greenhouse Gases in the Atmosphere
Water Vapor
Carbon Dioxide
Methane
Nitrous Oxide

10. How does this relate to the carbon cycle?

11. Effect on the Oceans
Oceans absorb solar radiation and excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Help set up current ocean circulation patterns

12. Climate Change
Changes in the regional or global climate pattern that are greater than normal cyclic changes
Caused by human impacts on the planet