Climate Change - Environmental Education - Lecture Slides, Slides of Environmental Science

Download Climate Change - Environmental Education - Lecture Slides and more Slides Environmental Science in PDF only on Docsity! Environmental Education Climate Change Docsity.com Content • Geological Age • Climate History • Natural Climate Change – Geologic Causes – Planetary Causes – Solar Activities • Greenhouse Effect and Causes • Solutions – Alternate Energy Sources – International Relations Docsity.com Climate History [2] Fig. 2.1b:sea surface temperature of the past 3000 years Docsity.com Natural Climate Change • What are the causes of climate change? – Geologic Causes • Volcanic Activies – Planetary Causes – Solar Activities Docsity.com Geologic - Volcanic Activities • Volcanic eruptions send ashes and gases into atmosphere • The haze reflects incoming sunlight ⇒ Reduce heat reaching the ground ⇒ lower temperature Docsity.com Planetary Causes [3] – Precession of the equinoxes • The tilting direction of the earth changes • The direction changes have a 25,700 year cycle • Tilt angle is not affected • Leads to climate changes Southern Hemisphere titled toward the Sun at aphelion N r Docsity.com Planetary Causes [4] – Obliquity • Obliquity changes (22.5 ° ~24.5 ° ) affect the latitudes receiving the amount of solar radiation; hence, climate changes. 24.5° 22.5° Docsity.com Solar Activities [1] – Solar flares and sunspots activities affect the radiation released; hence, the solar energy received by earth varies with solar activities. Fig. 2.1d: Solar flares (source: http://zebu.uoregon.edu/~js/glossary/solar_flares.html) Fig. 2.1e: Sunspot (source: http://helios.gsfc.nasa.gov/sunspot.html) Docsity.com CO2 Water Vapor CH4 NOx O3 Greenhouse Gases Greenhouse Effect [2] Sun Heat Absorbed by Earth Heat Absorbed by Clouds Heat Absorbed by Atmosphere Heat Absorbed by Ocean Radiation Reflected Heat Trapped Docsity.com Greenhouse Effect [3] Temperature Increment Fig. 2.1g: Temperature changes since 1860 °F Docsity.com Greenhouse Effect [4] • What causes greenhouse effect? – CO2 is believed to be the key Fig. 2-1h: Temperature and CO2 concentration changes in the past 160 years Docsity.com Greenhouse Effect [7] – Biological system • Longer mid-high latitude growing seasons • Poleward and altitudinal shifts of plant and animal ranges • Declines of some plant and animal populations • Premature flowering of trees • Rampancy of insects • Biodiversity declines Docsity.com Greenhouse Effect [8] – Human system • Reduction in potential crop yield in most tropical and sub-tropical regions • Decrease in water availability for many regions • More cases of malaria and cholera • Greater risks in flooding in some regions • Higher energy demand for cooling • Potentially rising sea level may ruin coastal cities Docsity.com Greenhouse Effect [9] • Case studies: – Churchill, Manitoba, Canada Fig. 2.1i: Map showing position of Churchill (source: Denoyer - Geppert Co., Chicago) Docsity.com Greenhouse Effect [12] – Coral reef functions • Rich in biodiversity • Protect coastal from wave Fig. 2.1j: Coral Reef (source: http://step.polymtl.ca/~louke/oznet19_e.html) Docsity.com Greenhouse Effect [13] – Sea water becomes too warm and polyps die off – Loss of reef • Extinction of coral dependent fish species • Wave erosion on coastal areas • Decline in fisheries and tourism Docsity.com Solutions [1] • Reduction in CO2 and other greenhouse gases emission – Use energy more efficiently – Conserve more energy – Use alternative energy sources Docsity.com Relevant Websites • The Government of Canada Climate Change Web site (http://www.climatechange.gc.ca/english/index.shtml) • Climate Change Impacts on the United States (http://sedac.ciesin.org/NationalAssessment/) • Exploring the Environment: Global Climate Change teacher’s resources (http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/climate/GCmain.html) • The World Bank Group: Global Climate Change (http://www-esd.worldbank.org/cc/) • U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) – Climate Challenge (http://www.eren.doe.gov/climatechallenge/) • World Wide Fund (HK) for Nature (http://www.wwf.org.hk/chi/conservation/intro/int_p3.html) Docsity.com Gratitude • Information and Idea are by courtesy of – Miss Christine Loh Docsity.com