Chapter 6 CLIMATE Lesson 1 CLIMATES ON EARTH

Chapter 6 CLIMATE

Lesson 1 CLIMATES ON EARTH

What is climate? The long-term average weather conditions in a region Depends mostly on average temperature and precipitation _____

What affects temperature? Latitude - location based on north/south because the surface of the Earth is curved Higher temp. near the equator Altitude Large – temp. decreases with height bodies of water – hold heat energy _____

What is specific heat? The amount of thermal energy (in joules) needed to raise the temp. of 1 kg of a material by 1° C Water has a very high specific heat and can absorb large amounts of energy Climate near coasts is more consistent _____

What affects precipitation? Higher temp. causes more evaporation Landforms- mountains cause rain shadows An area of low rainfall on the downwind slope of a mountain (the other side receives more) _____

What climates are there? DEPENDS ON TEMP. AND PRECIPITATION A system was created by German scientist Wladimir Köppen including temp. , precipitation, and vegetation (plants) _____

What is a microclimate? A localized climate different from the area around it A forest or hilltop would be different from the surrounding area A city can cause changes to local climate _____

How does climate affect life? Most organisms are adapted to where they live Think of what lives in a rainforest vs. a desert Climate affects human crops and building design _____ End Lesson 1

Lesson 2 CLIMATE CYCLES

What are climate cycles? Average conditions changing over very long periods of time Climate cycles are similar to weather cycles (change in weather through days, weeks, or months) Climate cycles take much longer _____

What is an ice age? Cold periods lasting from hundreds to millions of years when glaciers cover much of Earth Warm periods that occur between ice ages are called - interglacials _____

Recent Ice Ages The last major ice age started about two million years ago The current interglacial started 10, 000 years ago, but was interrupted by a “Little Ice Age” from 1250 to 1850 _____

What causes climate cycles? Primarily – changes in the amount of solar energy reaching the earth Every 100, 000 years Earth’s orbit changes from oval-shaped to more circular Earth’s axis changes its tilt every 41, 000 years _____

Short-term Cycles Seasons occur when different latitudes get different amounts of solar energy because of Earth’s orbit and Earth’s axis always pointing the same direction When the northern hemisphere experiences summer, the southern hemisphere experiences winter and vice versa _____

Short-term Cycles An equinox is when both hemispheres get 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night A solstice is when the Earth’s axis is pointing directly towards/away from the Sun _____

What is El Niño/Southern Oscillation? The combined ocean and atmospheric cycle that results in weak trade winds across the Pacific Ocean Prevents upwelling (cold water pushing upward in the ocean) and changes normal climate _____

What is a monsoon? A wind circulation pattern that changes direction with the season Can also drastically change precipitation _____

What is a drought? A period with below-average precipitation Usually caused by or related to heat waves _____

Lesson 3 CLIMATE CHANGE

Recent Climate Change Average temperatures have been increasing for the last 100 years Normally, change occurs much more slowly _____

What is global warming? The rise in Earth’s average temperature Most likely this increase is related to human activities that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere _____

What are greenhouse gases? Gases in the atmosphere that absorb radiation and trap heat on Earth Greenhouse gases prevent Earth from being very cold Carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor _____

Carbon Dioxide Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) and deforestation have caused a huge increase in CO 2 in the atmosphere This increase has been related to an increase in the greenhouse effect _____

What is deforestation? The large-scale cutting/burning of forests Plants, such as trees, remove CO 2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis Burning releases carbon stored in the trees back into the atmosphere This makes up 25% of CO 2 from humans _____

What are aerosols? Tiny liquid/solid particles that reflect sunlight back into space Can cause water droplets in clouds to be smaller and reflect even more light _____

Why do we care? Heat waves/droughts affect food/water Excess rainfall can cause floods/mudslides Melting ice may raise sea level Climate change means change from what is normal We don’t know all the possible effects _____

What can we do? Make predictions using a global climate model (GCM) A set of complex equations used to predict future climates (computer models) _____

What can we do? Alternate energy sources to reduce CO 2 Hybrid/Alternative Green fuel vehicles building (energy efficient) Planting Energy trees conservation Recycling _____END