Unit 4 Flashcards
(221 cards)
1
Q
Climate
A
Atmospheric conditions expected in a particular area that describe atmospheric behavior over a long period of time
2
Q
Climate determinants factors
A
- Average temperature
- Distribution of precipitation
3
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Weather
A
Specific conditions of the atmosphere at a particular time period (short term)
4
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Climate change
A
Long term, sustained change in the average global temperature
5
Q
Global warming
A
An average increase in Earth’s temperature
6
Q
Inputs of climate
A
The sun
7
Q
Processes of climate
A
- Solar radiation
- Atmospheric circulation
- Convection currents
- Condensation and cloud formation
- Precipitation
- Evaporation
- Greenhouse effect
- Photosynthesis
8
Q
Solar radiation
A
Energy from the sun the reaches the Earth’s surface
9
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Influences of solar radiation
A
Atmospheric circulation and convection currents
10
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Atmospheric circulation
A
The movement of air due to solar heating and Earth’s rotation
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Influences of atmospheric circulation
A
Creates wind patterns that transport heat and moisture
12
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Convection currents
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Vertical movement of air due to temperature differences
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Influences of convection currents
A
Creates weather phenomena like thunderstorms
14
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Condensation
A
The process of turning gas into liquid
15
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Influences of condensation
A
Clouds have a high albedo that reflects sunlight which makes it influence weather and temperature
16
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Precipitation
A
The process of turning gas to liquid
17
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Influences of Precipitation
A
Influences the hydrological cycle that impact agriculture, water availability and temperature
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Evaporation
A
The process of turning liquid into gas
19
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Greenhouse effect
A
The process that occurs when gases in Earth’s atmosphere trap the Sun’s heat
20
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Photosynthesis
A
The process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and energy in the form of sugar
21
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Outputs of climate
A
Depends on the inputs and processes such as temperature, rainfall patterns or wind
22
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Anthropogenic influences
A
Impact caused by human activities
23
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Anthropogenic influences examples
A
Burning fossil fuels, industrial processes, deforestation, agriculture, waste managements
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Proof of Anthropogenic influences
A
The Industrial Revolution
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The Great Acceleration
The increase in human activities and its impact on the Earth
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Industrial Revolution time period
Mid 18th century
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The Great Acceleration cause
Technological advancement and increase in human population
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The Great Acceleration time period
20th century
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Evidences of the correlation between CO2 and global warming
1. Coral and tree rings
2. Deposited sediments
3. Ice cores
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Tree rings
Circular rings formed in the trunks of the trees that represents that year of growth
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Tree rings mechanism
Ring changes based on the weather conditions: Narrower in dryer and cold climates and thicker in warmer climates
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Tree rings indication
Past temperatures and precipitation patterns
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Coral indications
CO2 concentrations and temperature rise based on the coral bleaching
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Deposited sediments
Solid material that has been transported by wind, water, ice, or gravity and then accumulate in a new location
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Deposited sediments color indication
Dark: Warm and wet climate
Lighter: Cold and dry climate
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Deposited sediments pollen indication
Plant history based on the past climate changes
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Ice cores
Long tubes of ice drilled from glaciers that contains dust, pollen, ash and gas bubbles
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Ice cores indication
Understand the historical CO2 levels
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Ice cores mechanisms
CO2 levels is froze either from gas or absorb into water
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The relationship between atmospheric CO2 and global temperature
Positive correlation
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Evidence of the relationship between atmospheric CO2 and global temperature
Industrial Revolution where the global temperature rose as the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere also rise
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Local impacts of climate change
1. Biome shifting
2. Species adaptation/extinction
3. Productivity and biodiversity
4. Reduce ecosystem resilience
5. Coral bleaching
6. Desertification
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Global impacts of climate change
1. Changes in ocean circulation
2. Sea level rise
3. Monsoon rains
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Biome shifting
The change in the type of biome over time
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Movement of biome
Due to migration, it creates competition, predation and diseases in the new area, causing it to become like the previous biome
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Example of movement of biome
North America: temperate forest move upwards replacing boreal forest that was cold
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Transformation of biome
Changes in structure and composition of biome
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Example of transformation of biome
As the temperature rises, the Arctic tundra, a treeless biome, turns into scrubland
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Loss of biome
Decline or disappearance of a specific type of ecosystem
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Example of loss of biome
Decline in sea turtles population due to loss of nesting beaches, coral reefs, and other important coastal areas
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Species adaptation and evolution
Alternation in habitats force organisms to adapt or migrate
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Productivity in northern regions
Rise in temperature extends growing season that help the region expands in agriculture and forestry
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Example of Productivity in northern regions
Canada and Russia expand in agriculture due to longer growing seasons
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Productivity in tropical regions
Rise in temperature and unpredictable rainfall patterns that harms crop productivity
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Example of Productivity in tropical regions
In Southeast Asia, monsoon patterns shifted threaten rice fields due to the lack of water
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Loss in biodiversity cause
Too many and too often disturbance to the ecosystem
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Effects of loss in biodiversity for connected habitat
Migrate or adapt
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Effects of loss in biodiversity for fragmented habitat
Lead to loss of biodiversity
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Coral Bleaching cause
An increase in sea temperature that expels algae living in the tissue that is responsible for giving its color through photosynthesis
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Effects of coral bleaching
Loss of biodiversity and extinction of other organisms
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Example of coral bleaching
The Great Barrier Reef in Australia with six mass bleaching within 9 years
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Desertification cause
Rise in temperature and unsustainable land practices (from deforestation and overgrazing)
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Overgrazing
Farm animals eating too much grass
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Effects of Desertification
Loss of arable land, reduce agricultural productivity and displacement of communities
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Example of Desertification
Sanel Region in Africa where desertification leads to reduction in agricultural productivity that risks food security and cause poverty
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Changes in ocean circulation cause
Melting of ice caps and glaciers that disrupts currents and circulation patterns by changes its speed, location and directions
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Effects of change in ocean circulation
1. Altered weather patterns
2. Changes in aquatic system
3. Disrupts fish migration and distribution
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Example of Changes in ocean circulation
Overturning circulation that leads to colder water in Europe and warmer in the Arctic because Gulf stream's warm water arrive slower in Europe due to the increase in freshwater
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Sea level rise cause
1. Melting ice caps and glaciers
2. Thermal expansion of seawater
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Effect of Sea level rise
1. Coastal flooding and erosion
2. Loss in habitat
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Example of Sea level rise loss in habitat
Vietnam near the Mekong river areas
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Monsoon rains
Seasonal heavy rain in Asia's summer
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Cause of shift in Monsoon rains
1. Increase in evaporation
2. More moisture in the atmosphere
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Effects of Monsoon rains
1. Severe flooding
2. Shifts in raining patterns that can lead to droughts
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Example of Monsoon rains
South Asia 2017 flooding that impacted 40 million people and destroyed homes/infrastructure
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Climate change feedback loop
Positive feedback loop
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Climate change feedback loop examples
Ice albedo, permafrost thawing, forest fires
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Two quantifying factors of climate change in the planetary boundary model
CO2 concentrations and Radiative forcing
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Radiative forcing
Measures the Earth's energy balance and factors that influences it
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Factors influences energy balance
Aerosols, greenhouse gases, solar radiation
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Impacts of climate change on societies
1. Health
2. Water supplies
3. Food security and agriculture
4. Economic impact
5. Societal equity
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Climate changes impact on health
1. Heatwaves
2. Diseases
3. Poor air quality
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Cause of heatwaves
Increase in frequency and intensity as temperature increase
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Effects of heatwaves
1. Death and heat-related illnesses especially for elderlies and kids
2. Increase in heat outage due to the increase in demand for cooling
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Example of heatwaves
North America 2021 heatwave that causes 1400 deaths
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Diseases cause
Warmer temperature allows bacteria and viruses to grow
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Example of Diseases
Vector Bone disease, where the increase in rainfall cause more mosquitos that lead to thousands of deaths
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Poor air quality impact
Health issue such as asthma, lung diseases and cancer
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Climate change impact on water supplies
Droughts and water quality
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Example of droughts
Cape Town's pay zero water crisis that causes 4 million to run out of clean water
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How does climate change cause poor water quality?
1. Flooding and runoffs
2. Promotes growth of algae and bad bacterias
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Example of poor water quality
Algal bloom in lake area in America that makes the water unsafe for residences
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Cause of food insecurity
1. Crop yields decrease
2. Pest outbreaks
3. Heat stress of livestock production
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Example of food insecurity
Russia's 2010 wheat ban causes by droughts that decrease in supply of wheat and increase in price
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Economic impacts of climate change
1. Damaged infrastructure
2. Disrupts industries and businesses
3. Price increase
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Example of economic impact of climate change
Central Vietnam's home and agricultural land is destroyed by floods annually
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Social equity aspects of climate change
1. Uneven distribution of resources
2. Lacks of needs
3. Forced migration
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State sovereignty
The principle that each country has the authority to govern itself without external interference
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International agreements forms
Negotiations, protocols, conventions and treaties
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Timeline of UN treaties and protocols
1. 1992: The Earth's Summit
2. 1997: Kyoto Protocol
3. 2012: Dona Amendment to Kyoto Protocol
4. 2015: The Paris Agreements
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UN framework convention on climate change timeline
1992
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The Earth's Summit
UN framework convention for climate change with the aim to encourage developed countries to lead and support developing countries
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Kyoto Protocol timeline
1997
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Kyoto Protocol purpose
Reduce greenhouse gases by setting legally binding targets for developed countries countries to reduce emission
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Dona Amendment timeline
2012 - 2020
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Dona Amendment aim
Extended on the Kyoto Protocol
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The Paris Agreement timeline
2015
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The Paris Agreement aim
Limit Global warming below 2 Celsius and limit the increase to 1.5 Celsius
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The Paris Agreement mechanism
Countries submit NDCs (action plans) to be review every 5 years
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Negotiations
Countries discuss and agree on a common goals, commitments and actions
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Protocols and conventions
Formal agreements that outline the countries commitment
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Sanctions
Tools and regulations to encourage compliance to climate policies from countries
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Challenges of international cooperations
1. Not applicable to all countries' economic background
2. Can't held countries legally responsible
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Decarbonization
The reduction/removal of CO2 from energy sources
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Mitigation strategies definition
Reduce the severity or impact of something that is harmful/undesirable
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Mitigation strategies
1. Greenhouse gas reduction
2. Greenhouse gas removal
3. Geo engineering
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Greenhouse gas reduction strategies
1. Changing consumer behavior
2. Changing business behavior
3. Government regulations and legislations
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Greenhouse gas removal strategies
1. Technological solutions
2. Natural based solutions
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Greenhouse gas removal technological solutions
capture and storage
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Greenhouse gas removal natural based solutions
1. Afforestations
2. Protecting wetlands
3. Regenerative agriculture
4. Ocean fertilisation
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Ocean fertilisation
Adding nutrients into the ocean's upper layer to support phytoplankton growth and photosynthesis
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Geoegineering
Large scale manipulation of Earth's system to counter the effect of global warming
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Geoegineering stratergies
1. Cloud seeding
2. Solar radiation management
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Cloud seeding
Dispersing substances into the atmosphere to increase condensation and precipitation
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Purpose of Cloud seeding
Support hydrological cycle and promotes plant growth
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Examples of Cloud seeding
China to regulate Beijing's rainfall
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Solar radiation management
Reflecting solar radiation back into space
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Space mirrors
Using mirrors in space to reflect sunlight away from Earth
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Climate change adaptation strategies definition
Focus on building resilience and adjusting to climate changing conditions
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Climate change adaptation strategies
1. Structural changes
2. Non structural changes
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Structural changes
1. Cooling centers
2. Flooding defenses
3. Movable infrastructure
4. Desalination plants
5. Urban greening
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Aim of cooling centers
Support people's health from overheating, dehydration of the heatwaves
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Example of cooling centers
NYC have cooling centers at the public libraries and community centers
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Aim of flood defenses
Build dykes and seawalls to protect human settlements in flood prone areas
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Example of flood defences
Vietnam have 5,000km river dykes and 2,000km seawalls to prevent flooding
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Aim of movable infrastructure
To move the infrastructure when the conditions become dangerous
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Example of movable infrastructure
Netherlands' Maeslant Barriers that are movable to protect part of Rotterdam and surrounding areas from storm surges
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Desalination plants
Coverting seawater into freshwater
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Aim of Desalination plants
To increase the amount of freshwater available
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Example of Desalination plants
Israel's Sorek Desalination plant that produce clean water for water scarred regions
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Urban greening strategy
Circular economy
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Urban greening examples
Circular economy in countries such as Sweden, Japan and Singapore
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Aim of drought-resistant agricultural practices
To genetically engineer crops so that it can adapt with the changing rainfall patterns
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Example of drought-resistant agricultural practices
The Mekong Delta is shifting from rice to green beans as they are less water demanding
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Aim of ecosystem restoration
To revitalize ecosystem through practices such as removing invasive species or watershed restoration
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Example of ecosystem restoration
Iceland's peatlands in 2017 successfully return to its original state through restoring its hydrological conditions
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Aim of vaccinations
Adapt to the rise in diseases and maintain people health
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Example of vaccinations
Malarial diseases caused by contaminated water source or the vector bone disease caused by mosquitoes
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Aim of land zoning and building codes
Changes regulations on land use and buildings to reduce climate change risks/impacts
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Example of land zoning and building codes
California requires 5 foot long non-combustible perimeter after the wildfires
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Aim of education and warning systems
Improve individual and community actions
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Example of education and warning systems
Vietnam's early warming systems for floods and thunderstorm in 2023 for prone areas such as Ha Giang and Quang Ninh
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Electromagnetic radiation
Full range of energy waves emitted by solar radiation that comprises different wavelengths from the lowest frequency (radio waves) to the highest (gamma rays)
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Infrared radiation
Longer wavelengths and the lowest frequency
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Infrared radiation feel through
Heat
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Visible light
Visible to the human eye such as color and provide energy for photosynthesis
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Ultraviolet Radiation (UV)
Shorter wavelengths and higher frequencies
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Which electromagnetic have the most energy?
Ultraviolet Radiation
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Stratospheric ozone layer
The layer that absorbs much of the sun's UV rays that reduces the amount of UV reaches the Earth's surface to protect organisms
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How is the ozone layer created?
The oxygen gas molecule reacts with the UV rays, yielding 3 oxygen which is the ozone layer
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Halogen gases (CFCs)
Chlorine, Fluorine, Bromine
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How does ozone become depleted?
CFCs float into the stratosphere get broken down buy the UV radiation, turning them into atoms. These atoms then react with the oxygen, causing depletion.
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Natural sources of CFCs
Saltwater marshes, volcanic activities
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Anthropogenic sources of CFCs
Fridges, sprays, air conditioning, fire extinguishers
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Impacts of Ozone Depletion on humans
1. Skin problems: Damages, cancer and premature aging
2. Eye problems: Cataracts
3. Agriculture productivity
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Impacts of Ozone depletion on animals and other organisms
1. Hinder the photosynthesis of phytoplankton
2. Causes mutations from damaging the cells
3. Destroy beneficial bacterias
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Montreal Protocols timeline
1987
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Montreal Protocols aim
International agreement to regulate the production, trade and use of CFCs and other ODs
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Montreal Protocols achievements and sucess
1. 197 countries signed
2. Emission of ODs falls from 1.5 million tonnes to 400 thousand tonnes (2010)
3. Effective enforcement on stopping illegal trading of these substances
4. Encourage global cooperations
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Planetary boundary model connection with Montreal Protocols
It is one of the planetary boundary
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How did the Montreal Protocols prevents Earth from reaching the planetary boundary?
By decreasing in ozone depletion over time according to data and provide continuous monitoring that indicates future recovery
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Atmosphere
A layer of gases and suspended particles that extends up from the surface of the Earth where gravity have no effect
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Biosphere
The ecological system that contains all life on Earth
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4 main gases of the atmosphere
Nitrogen (main), oxygen, argon, CO2
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Layers of atmosphere
Exosphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Troposphere
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Mesopause
Between Thermosphere and mesosphere
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Stratopause
Between Mesosphere and stratosphere
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Tropopause
Between stratosphere and troposphere
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Exosphere
Outerlayer
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Thermosphere
Second outer layer
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Mesosphere
Middle layer
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Stratosphere
Second lowest layer
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Troposphere
Lowest layer
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Layers of atmosphere acronym
Every Thing Make Sense Though
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Tricellular model of atmosphere circulation
Describe atmospheric circulation and how heat move to create different climate zones on Earth
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Why is the equator warmer?
More direct sunlight
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Why are the poles colder?
Less direct sunlight
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What are the redistribution physical processes?
Wing, convection, diffusion, turbulence and jet streams
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Wind as a physical processes
Main mover of gas caused by differences in air pressure
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Convection as a physical processes
Warm air rises and cool air sinks creating vertical movement
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Diffusion as a physical processes
Gases spread from areas of high concentration to low concentration areas
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Turbulence as a physical processes
Irregular air flow caused by obstacles like mountains and buildings
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Jet streams as a physical processes
Fast flowing, narrow air currents in the upper atmosphere
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Atmospheric storages characteristics
It stores gases and the concentration varies over time depending on outputs/inputs
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Atmospheric flows characteristics
Constant flow of gases and particles and contribute to the movement of gases and other substances
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Atmospheric flow processes
Air currents, weather patterns, atmospheric circulation
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Atmospheric natural inputs
Volcanic eruptions, dust particles and respiration
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Atmospheric anthropogenic inputs
Greenhouse gases, aerosols from combustion and air pollution
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How do precipitation remove pollutants and aerosols?
By collecting and dissolving pollutants to rain them onto Earth's surfaces
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Atmospheric outputs
Through processes like respirations, photosynthesis, precipitation and dry deposition
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How do dry deposition remove pollutants and aerosols?
By wind pushes them into sticky surfaces
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Greenhouse effect
When heat is trapped near the Earth's surface by greenhouse gases
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Greenhouse gases (GHGs)
Atmospheric gases that absorb infrared radiation emitted from the Earth's surface
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Greenhouse gases (GHGs) examples
1. Water vapour (H2O)
2. Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
3. Methane (CH4)
4. Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
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Water vapour (H2O)
Gaseous form from water
203
Sources of water vapour
1. Water bodies
2. Transpiration from plants
3. Sublimation
4. Byproduct of combustion of fossil fuels
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Transpiration from plants
Water movements and its evaporation into the atmosphere primarily through the stomata
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Sublimation
From solid to liquid
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Why is CO2 biggest contributor to climate change?
High concentration and long lifespan in the atmosphere
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Natural sources of CO2
Cellular respiratory and volcanic eruptions
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Anthropogenic sources of CO2
Deforestation & forest burning
Industrial processes
Burning fossil fuels
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What is methane converted into
CO2
210
Why do methane cause global warming?
It traps heat (more than CO2)
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Natural sources of methane
Break down of decaying matter and melting permafrost
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Anthropogenic sources of methane
Agriculture
Natural gas extraction
Solid domestic waste from landfills
Fossil fuel production
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Lowest concentration GHGs
Nitrous Oxide
214
Natural sources of Nitrous oxide
Breakdown of decaying matter and nitrogen-containing compounds
Fossil fuel combustion
Industrial processes
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AMOC (Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation)
A system of ocean currents that regulates global climate by redistributing heat.
216
Determinants of resilience of society
Economic resources, governance and social equity
217
Types of UV radiations
UVA, UVB, UVC
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