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Global warming is the long-term heating of Earth’s climate

observed since the pre-industrial era (1850-1900) due to
human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning.
• Caused by the increased greenhouse gas emissions that
are released into the atmosphere by human activity
• High greenhouse gas concentrations
T cause global
temperatures to increase
• Since the pre-industrial era, human activities are estimated
to have increased Earth’s global average temperature
about 10C per decade.
Warmer temperatures increase the evaporation rate of
water, causing water vapor gas to enter the atmosphere.

• Warmer bodies of water

evaporate more water vapor
than cooler bodies.
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• Water vapor magnifies the
effects of other greenhouse
gases, contributing to further
warming
• Increased evaporation
causes increased
precipitation and irregular
weather patterns
Climate change is a long-term change in the average
weather patterns that define Earth’s regional and global
climate.
• Average change in the climate across the entire globe
• Global warming leads to climate change
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• Primarily driven by human activities
• Changes can also be caused by
natural processes such as El Nino,
La Nina, volcanic activity, variations
in Earth’s orbit, or changes in solar
energy output.
Scientists around the globe use observations from the
ground, air, and space, along with models to monitor and
study the past, present, and future of climate change.

Evidence of climate change includes:

• Global land and ocean T
temperature increases
• Sea level rise
• Sea ice loss
• Ocean acidification
• More severe and frequent
weather
 Ocean Acidification
Dissolved carbon dioxide in the ocean undergoes chemical reactions to
produce carbonic acid.
• Lowers pH
• Acidic conditions are
inhospitable and
dangerous for marine
life.
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BEFORE AFTER

Higher concentrations of carbonic

acid and warmer temperatures
affect the health of marine
ecosystems
Currently, the Arctic is warming twice as fast as anywhere on
Earth.
• Warming temperatures melt sea ice and glacier at an
alarming rate
• Artic ice cover plays in important role in maintaining Earth’s
temperature and stabilizing weather and ocean patterns
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Melting sea ice has many negative effects:
• Warmer air and ocean temperatures
• Disrupted ocean circulation patterns
• Frequent and more severe weather
• Sea levels rise, shoreline erosion, and coastal flooding
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 DEFINITION:
The albedo effect
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is a feedback
loop between temperature and
the amount of ice & snow.
 Albedo is measure as a number
between 0 and 1 that
corresponds to the percentage of
radiation thatT is reflected.

0 is low – all of the radiation is

absorbed. 1 is high – all of the
radiation is reflected.
 H
I
G
H

L
O
W
 H
I
G
Ice and Snow = 0.8
H

L
O
W
 H
I
G
Ice and Snow = 0.8
H

Clouds = 0.4 - 0.7

L
O
W
 H
I
G
Ice and Snow = 0.8
H

Clouds = 0.4 - 0.7

Sand = 0.25 T

L
O
W
 H
I
G
Ice and Snow = 0.8
H

Clouds = 0.4 - 0.7

Sand = 0.25 T

Forests = 0.1

L
O
W
 H
I
G
Ice and Snow = 0.8
H

Clouds = 0.4 - 0.7

Sand = 0.25 T

Forests = 0.1

Water = 0.08 L
O
W
 Clouds reflect about 40-70% of the Sun’s
radiation.

Snow reflects about 80% of the Sun’s

radiation.
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Forest reflects about 10% of the Sun’s

radiation.

Water reflects about 8% of the Sun’s radiation.

Should your home’s roof be
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designed to have a high or

low albedo? Explain.
Albedo is an expression of a surface’s ability to reflect sunlight
• Light-colored ice has a high albedo and reflects more light
than dark-colored (low albedo) land and ocean surfaces
• As warming sea ice melts, fewer light surfaces remain to
reflect sunlight back into the atmosphere
• Rate of melting and global temperatures are further magnified
in a positive feedback loop
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Ice Retreat Local Warming

Feedback
Enhanced warming causes
further ice melt retreat.
The cycle continues.

As the Arctic warms, ice cover Exposed surface waters absorb

melts, exposing more of the more sunlight. They and the air
less reflective surface above grow even warmer.