CLIMATE CHANGE CLIMATE VS WEATHER Climate Weather Short

CLIMATE CHANGE

CLIMATE VS. WEATHER Climate Weather Short Term Long Term Limited Area Wide Area Changes Rapidly Seasonal Changes Difficult to Predict Measured Over Long Spans of Time

WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE n Climate is the average weather at a given point and time of year, over a long period (typically 30 years). n We expect the weather to change a lot from day to day, but we expect the climate to remain relatively constant. n If the climate doesn’t remain constant, we call it climate change.

NATURAL CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE Climate is affected by some of the following: Ocean Currents Volcanic eruptions Latitude and Altitude Solar Radiation Photosynthesis Decomposition Greenhouse gases (which are essential for our climate)

HUMAN CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE Deforestation Coal Mining Burning of Fossil Fuels Industrial Processes Agriculture Greenhouse gases

GREENHOUSE GASES Greenhouse gases naturally occur in the earth’s atmosphere. They are found in water vapor, carbon dioxide (plants and animals), methane (from the wetlands, oceans and termites), and nitrous oxide (soil, vegetation and oceans). Without greenhouses gases, the earth’s atmosphere would be approximately -18 degrees Celsius.

Human activity also affects greenhouse gases and alters our climate, resulting in global warming. We do this by increase the amount of gases we put into the environment.

WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING? It is a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants.

EVIDENCE OF GLOBAL WARMING Melting Glaciers – Raising Sea Level Tree ring data Changing animal and plant life Increases in annual temperatures Increase in the temperature of the earth Extreme drought Hurricanes

WHAT CAN WE DO TO FIGHT GLOBAL WARMING? Research the following question and write a one page reflection on what you can do, personally, to help fight global warming. You should then reflect on what others, (including big businesses, etc. ) can do as well.