Climate Change

PowerPoint Notes Name:

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
• Distinguish between weather and climate.
• Describe the greenhouse effect, global warming, and the causes and effects of climate
change.
• Analyze greenhouse gas and ice melt data and relate it to the causes and effects of climate
change.
• Explore how humans impact the global climate and how they can reduce their contribution
of greenhouse gases.

WEATHER AND CLIMATE

1. Weather and Climate are _________ the same.

WEATHER CLIMATE
Measured over Measured as an

(day-to-day)

Changes of the condition of the atmosphere at Six major climate zones:

a

_________________ and Temperature Precipitation and ____________________

Reported as a temporary Reported as averages over a

Local - occurs differently in Occurs similarly over a

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GREENHOUSE EFFECT AND GREENHOUSE GASES

1. Greenhouse Effect
• The greenhouse effect is the
• It is caused by infrared radiation (heat) from the sun being _______________________________
into the atmosphere.
• Heat is absorbed and emitted by _______________________________.
• Greenhouse gases are called greenhouse gases because they act as a greenhouse to ______
___________________________________________________________________________.

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2. Greenhouse Effect (con’t)
• Greenhouse gases
1. ______________________________ enters Earth’s atmosphere as heat energy.
2. Earth’s _______________________________ and reflects solar energy.
3. Energy is _________________________ back into the atmosphere.
4. Some energy is ___________________________________________________.
5. The remaining energy remains trapped in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases. This
causes the

3. Greenhouse gases in our atmosphere are important to life on Earth

• Maintain a comfortable temperature on Earth
• Without them, Earth would be too cold for life to exist
•
•
• A small change in ____________________________ can upset Earth’s systems and cause
changes to climates _______________ to climate – which causes challenges for life on Earth.

4.

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5. Natural Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Greenhouse gases are also naturally emitted from natural sources.
• Earth has systems in place for keeping a balance of gases released through natural processes.
• The amount of

• Natural Sources Include:

• Wetland bacteria in anaerobic conditions
•
• Wildfires
• Sediments and oceans
• Cell respiration

6. Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Human Activities

• : burning of fossil fuels and organic matter, such as forests, landfills,
and biomass, releases heavy amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Burning
fossil fuels for electricity, industry, and transportation also releases high amounts of greenhouse
gases.
• : Forests take in a store carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.
Deforestation, or removal of forests, causes less carbon dioxide to be taken out of the
atmosphere
• : Landfills, organisms, and other organic wastes release methane and
other greenhouse gases as they decompose
• : Livestock, such as cows, release methane as byproduct of
digestion. Manure and fertilizers also release greenhouse gases
• : Refrigerants, foam-blowing agents, aerosol propellants, and fire
suppressants release powerful greenhouse gases called HFCs

7. Carbon Dioxide
• Carbon dioxide is the , and it stays in the
atmosphere longer than most greenhouse gases
• Human activities increase atmospheric CO2 level primarily through the

• Carbon dioxide traps heat and excessive carbon emissions in the atmosphere are causing the
globe to warm drastically
• Carbon dioxide levels are currently than the pre-industrial era (1850-1900)

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8. Carbon Cycle and Carbon Sinks
• The carbon cycle is the cycling of carbon molecules between oceans, air, organisms, and rocks
• Factors that store or deduct the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are called

• Carbon sinks are important because they

• Examples of carbon sinks:
• Oceans
•
• Soil and Sediments
•
• Organisms

9. Carbon Dioxide in the Ocean

• Oceans are the world’s
• Oceans can only absorb so much carbon dioxide and cannot handle the increased concentration
of it in its atmosphere.
• The ability of the ocean to absorb carbon decreases as the concentration of atmospheric carbon
dioxide increase.
• Excessive carbon dioxide in the ocean:
•
• Causes . Acidic oceans cause coral
bleaching, fish kills, and hinders marine organisms’ abilities to create shells and skeletons

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GLOBAL WARMING & CLIMATE CHANGE

1. Global warming is the

• Caused by the increased greenhouse gas emissions that are released into the atmosphere by
human activity
• High greenhouse gas concentrations 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.

a. 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.
• Water vapor magnifies the effects of other greenhouse gases, contributing to further
warming
•

2. Climate change is a

• Average change in the climate across the entire globe

• Global warming leads to climate change
•
• 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.

a. 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.

•
i. Global land and ocean temperature increases
ii. Sea level rise
iii. Sea ice loss
iv. Ocean acidification
v. More severe and frequent weather

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3. Ocean Acidification
• Dissolved carbon dioxide in the ocean undergoes chemical reactions to produce carbonic acid.
• Lowers pH
•
• Higher concentrations of carbonic acid and warmer temperatures affect the health of marine
ecosystems

4. Sea Ice and Glacial Melting

• 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

a. Melting sea ice has many negative effects:

• Warmer air and ocean temperatures
• Disrupted ocean circulation patterns
• Frequent and more severe weather
•

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5. Albedo Effect
• Albedo is an expression of a
• 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

6. Severe Weather
• One consequences of warming temperatures is an increase in the

• : intensified drought in many areas; wildfires are more likely to

occur in dryer and warmer conditions
• : higher frequency and strength of storms and floods;
increased precipitation, destruction of ecosystems
• : there is more moisture in a warmer atmosphere; when
temperatures are below freezing, snowfall can break records; weakened jet stream allows frigid
polar air to travel farther south

7. Human Population Growth

• As the growth of the human population on Earth skyrockets, more and more humans are
impacting the climate
• Consumption of resources and release of waste products by human activities contributes to
climate change.
•

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CARBON FOOTPRINT AND FUTURE OF CLIMATE
1. Carbon Footprint
• Human activities release carbon into the atmosphere.
• A carbon footprint is the
because of one’s own
energy consumption.
• Carbon footprints can be calculated by measuring carbon released by your activities
• Transportation
• Electricity
• Food
• Clothing
• Purchased goods
• Your Guess in grams or gallons__________

2. Reduce your carbon footprint to help slow down climate change.

• Turn off lights when you don’t
need them or are not in the
room.
• Drive less by carpooling or taking
the bus when you can.
• Use energy efficient appliances.
• Buy local goods and locally
grown foods.
• Use renewable energy: solar,
wind, geothermal, etc.
• Recycle & reduce!
• Vote and support local and
federal legistlation that aims to
reduce dependence on fossil
fuels.
• Support local farms
• Urge others to be more energy
efficient.
• Educate others! Spread the
word!

3. Future of Climate
• Never Forget That You Have the Power to Change the Future!
• It’s up to us to do more to prevent further climate change before it’s too late!
• List five things that you can personally do in order to reduce your impact on the environment and
prevent further contribution of greenhouse gases.
• _____________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________
• _____________________________________________________
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COMPREHENSION CHECK QUESTIONS
1. Compare and contrast weather and climate.

2. Explain how the greenhouse effect works.

3. List the causes of climate change.

4. List evidence of climate change.

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5. How does the melting of sea-ice impact the entire planet?

6. Describe how the oceans are impacted by global warming.

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