Significant ideas:

1) Climate change has been a normal feature of the

Earth's history,. but human activity has contributed to
recent changes
2) There has been significant debate about the causes of
climate change
3) Climate change causes widespread and significant
impacts on a global scale.
In 2016, scientists reported the largest die-off ever on the Great
Barrier Reef.
Higher-than-normal sea temperatures force corals, which are
animals, to jettison the algae on which they depend for survival,
draining the color from reefs and turning them white. If
temperatures remain high, the corals typically die within months.
Climate change has been a normal feature of Earth’s history, but
human activity has contributed to recent changes

Click on image for video https://canadiancor.com/correlates-climate-change/

7.2.U1 Climate describes how the atmosphere behaves over
relatively long periods of time, whereas weather describes the
conditions in the atmosphere over a short period of time
• Weather describes how the conditions in the
atmosphere over short period of time.
• Climate describes how the a atmosphere behaves over
relatively long periods of time.
 7.2.U2 Weather and climate are affected by oceanic and
atmospheric circulatory systems

• Warm oceans warm

water and the air
above. Winds move
that warm air, which
then influences
climate. This effect is
minimized far from the
ocean

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/el-nino/
 7.2.U2 Weather and climate are affected by oceanic and
atmospheric circulatory systems

El Niño and La Niña

1. El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of what is known as the El
Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle.
2. The ENSO cycle is a scientific term that describes the fluctuations in
temperature between the ocean and atmosphere in the east-
central Equatorial
3. La Niña is sometimes referred to as the cold phase of ENSO and El
Niño as the warm phase of ENSO.

Click on the image

7.2.U3 Human activities are increasing levels of greenhouse
gases (GHGs, such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor)
in the atmosphere, which leads to: an increase in mean global
temperature
Water Vapor (H20)
• Most Abundant
greenhouse gas
• Positive Feedback Cycle
Higher temps

More heat
trapped Increased
evaporation

More H20
Vapor in
atmosphere
7.2.U3 Human activities are increasing levels of greenhouse
gases (GHGs, such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor)
in the atmosphere, which leads to: an increase in mean global
temperature
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
• Present naturally
• Increased since industrial
revolution
• Combustion of fossil fuels
(coal, natural gas, petroleum)
• For every kg of fossil fuel
burned 3kg of CO2 released
• Deforestation
• Fewer forests = less absorption
of CO2 from atmosphere
7.2.U3 Human activities are increasing levels of greenhouse
gases (GHGs, such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor)
in the atmosphere, which leads to: an increase in mean global
temperature

Methane (CH4)
• Absorbs 20-30x more heat than
CO2
• Sources
• Landfills
• Rice Paddies
• Agriculture
• Coal mines and natural gas
7.2.U3 Human activities are increasing levels of greenhouse
gases (GHGs, such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor)
in the atmosphere, which leads to: an increase in mean global
temperature
Nitrous Oxide( N2O)
Agricultural Source
• Result of a natural
process, in the nitrogen
cycle
• Enhanced by nitrogen
containing fertilizers
• Can last up to 100 years
in atmosphere
Industrial Source
• High temperature
combustion of fossil fuels
CLIMATE CHANGE to…..
7.2.U3 Human activities are increasing levels of greenhouse
gases (GHGs, such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor)
in the atmosphere, which leads to: an increase in mean global
temperature
GHGs are those atmospheric
gases that absorb infrared
radiation, causing global
temperatures to be higher than
they would otherwise be.

The impact of a greenhouse gas

depends on:
• Its ability to absorb long-wave
radiation
• Its concentration in the
atmosphere

Carbon dioxide and water

vapour are the most significant
greenhouse gases.
7.2.U3 Human activities are increasing levels of greenhouse
gases (GHGs, such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor)
in the atmosphere, which
4.4.U6 Global temperatures leads
and climate to:
patterns are an increase
influenced in ofmean
by concentrations global
greenhouse
gases.
temperature
Global average temperatures are not directly
proportional to greenhouse gas concentrations.

Other factors, e.g. sun

spot activity, have an
impact global average
increases in greenhouse gas concentrations will likely
cause: temperatures
• higher global average temperatures
• more frequent and intense heat waves
• some areas becoming more prone to droughts
• some areas more prone to intense periods of
rainfall and flooding
• tropical storms to be more frequent and more
powerful
• Changes to ocean currents, e.g. weakening of the
Gulf Stream would mean colder temperatures in
north-west Europe http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hurricane_Elena.jpg
7.2.U3 Human activities are increasing levels of greenhouse
gases (GHGs, such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor)
in the atmosphere, which leads to: increased frequency and
intensity of extreme weather events

Hurricane Katrina (2006)

• Hurricanes’ energy
comes from warm
oceans\Oceans warm as
more heat is trapped by
GHGs
• Warmer oceans means
more energy available for
storms which means
stronger (more extreme)
storms
7.2.U3 Human activities are increasing levels of greenhouse
gases (GHGs, such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor)
in the atmosphere, which leads to: the potential for long-term
changes in climate and weather patterns

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/why-the-paris-talks-wont-prevent-2-degrees-of-global-warming
7.2.U3 Human activities are increasing levels of greenhouse
gases (GHGs, such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor)
in the atmosphere, which leads to: rise in sea level

Click on
image for
animation

https://geog.ucsb.edu/what-if-all-the-ice-melted-an-interactive-map-from-national-geographic/
impacts
Climate change causes widespread and significant impacts on a
global scale

Impacts fall into 3 broad

categories:

• Water: oceans, ice caps,

glaciers, hydrological cycle
and climate patters

• Productivity: plant growth

in natural ecosystems and
agriculture

• People: cities, forced

migration and economics

http://thebritishgeographer.weebly.com/the-impacts-of-climate-change1.html
7.2.U4 The potential impacts of climate change may vary from one
location to another and may be perceived as wither adverse or
beneficial. These impacts may include changes in water
availability, distribution of biomes and crop growing areas, loss of
biodiversity and ecosystem services, coastal inundation, ocean
acidification and damage to human health

There are 16 different

impacts shown in this
diagram

Even though it
references regions in
the US, the impacts of
climate change on the
water cycle are
universally applicable
7.2.U4 The potential impacts of climate change may vary from one
location to another and may be perceived as wither adverse or
beneficial. These impacts may include changes in water
availability, distribution of biomes and crop growing areas, loss of
biodiversity and ecosystem services, coastal inundation, ocean
acidification and damage to human health

How might these

impacts be
considered adverse
(bad)? How might
they be beneficial?
7.2.U4 The potential impacts of climate change may vary from one
location to another and may be perceived as wither adverse or
beneficial. These impacts may include changes in water
availability, distribution of biomes and crop growing areas, loss of
biodiversity and ecosystem services, coastal inundation, ocean
acidification and damage to human health

Wetter than now

Drier than now

7.2.U4 The potential impacts of climate change may vary from one
location to another and may be perceived as wither adverse or
beneficial. These impacts may include changes in water
availability, distribution of biomes and crop growing areas, loss of
biodiversity and ecosystem services, coastal inundation, ocean
acidification and damage to human health

http://wwf.panda.org/our_work/climate_and_energy/cop24/
7.2.U4 The potential impacts of climate change may vary from one
location to another and may be perceived as wither adverse or
beneficial. These impacts may include changes in water
availability, distribution of biomes and crop growing areas, loss of
biodiversity and ecosystem services, coastal inundation, ocean
acidification and damage to human health

Major cities on Earth are

located along existing
coastlines. Where do all
the people go when their
homes are underwater

https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-coastal-flooding
7.2.U4 The potential impacts of climate change may vary from one
location to another and may be perceived as wither adverse or
beneficial. These impacts may include changes in water
availability, distribution of biomes and crop growing areas, loss of
biodiversity and ecosystem services, coastal inundation, ocean
acidification and damage to human health

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OHE/Pages/CCHEP.aspx
PAUSE:
Feedback Loops:
7.2.U5 Both negative and positive feedback mechanisms are
associated with climate change and may involve very long time
lags

https://www.fewresources.org/farms-feedlots-forests--climate-change-issues.html
7.2.U5 Both negative and positive feedback mechanisms are
associated with climate change and may involve very long time
lags

https://www.fewresources.org/farms-feedlots-forests--climate-change-issues.html
7.2.U6 There has been significant debate due to conflicting EVSs
surround the issue of climate change

Debate does not mean

“equal proportions of
people”. It simply means
there are opposing views

Click on image

https://makewealthhistory.org/tag/consensus/
7.2.U6 There has been significant debate due to conflicting EVSs
surround the issue of climate change

Climate Change
7.2.U6 There has been significant debate due to conflicting EVSs
surround the issue of climate change

Fossil Fuels
7.2.A2 Evaluate contrasting viewpoints on the issue of climate
change
 7.2.U7 Global climate models are complex and there is a degree
of uncertainty regarding the accuracy of their predictions

This graph is a great example of:

1. The complexity of climate
models

2. The degree of uncertainty

because of the data number of
factors they consider

3. Really bad visual data

communication-it overwhelms and
intimidates the audience

https://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/10/31/blind-faith-in-climate-models/
7.2.U7 Global climate models are complex and there is a degree
of uncertainty regarding the accuracy of their predictions
Scientists are most
confident in their
predictions when
they have a lot of
data.

This is why the

forecast for near-
term events is
better than
forecasts of
longer-term
events, both in
storm forecasting
and in climate
forecasting.
Significant ideas:
1) Mitigation attempts to reduce the causes of climate
change.
2) Adaptation attempts to manage the impacts of climate
change.

Norway is well known as a leader in producing energy from

renewable sources, however its export strategies are based on
natural gas. Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) is Norway’s
latest idea to “green up” the European gas market despite the
threat of long-term consequences
Mitigation attempts to reduce the causes of climate change.
Adaptation attempts to manage the impacts of climate change

Adaptation and mitigation

present some notable
differences, particularly in
their objectives.

Mitigation addresses the

causes of climate change
(accumulation of
greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere), whereas
adaptation addresses the
impacts of climate change.
Both approaches are
needed.

UNEP/GRID-Arendal
7.3.U1Mitigation involves reduction and/or stabilization of GHG
emissions and their removal from the atmosphere.

Mitigation
– how to
prevent
climate
change
(proactive)

https://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/newsroom/sds-lead-fight-effectively-reduce-co2-emissions-eu-new-
cars-and-vans
7.3.U2 Mitigation strategies to reduce GHGs in general may
include: reduction of energy consumption

How would you

classify each of
these strategies
according to the 3-
tiered approach to
pollution
management?

https://energypedia.info/wiki/Urban_Transport_and_Energy_Efficiency
7.3.U2 Mitigation strategies to reduce GHGs in general may
include: reduction of emissions of oxides of nitrogen and methane
from agriculture

• Animal agriculture has dramatically increased its production efficiency over

time, as it continues to produce more products with fewer resources.
Although its overall carbon footprint is relatively small compared to other
sectors of the economy such as energy and transportation, it is often called
upon to defend its impact on the environment.

Click on image

https://ccafs.cgiar.org/bigfacts/#theme=food-emissions&subtheme=direct-agriculture
7.3.U2 Mitigation strategies to reduce GHGs in general may
include: use of alternatives to fossil fuels

• Be careful. Not
all renewables
are zero-or
low CO2
sources
 7.3.U2 Mitigation strategies to reduce GHGs in general may
include: geoengineering
Geoengineering is “large scale manipulation of a specific process central to
controlling Earth’s climate for the purpose of obtaining a specific benefit”

1. Scatter iron, nitrates or phosphates on

oceans to increase algal blooms which take
up more carbon and act as a carbon sink

2. Release Sulphur dioxide from airplanes to

increase global dimming

3. Send mirrors into space between Earth and

the sun to reflect solar radiation

4. Build with light colored roofs to increase

albedo and reflect more sunlight

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/jul/10/geo-engineering-
weather-manipulation
7.3.U3 Mitigation strategies for carbon removal (CDR techniques)
include: protecting and enhancing carbon sinks through land
management

• Example –
through the UN
collaborative
programme on
reducing
emissions from
deforestation
and forest
degradation in
developing
countries (UN-
REDD)
http://treespiritproject.com/carbon/
7.3.U3 Mitigation strategies for carbon removal (CDR techniques)
include: protecting and enhancing carbon sinks

http://www.grida.no/resources/6940
7.3.U3 Mitigation strategies for carbon removal (CDR techniques)
include: using biomass as a fuel source

• How do
emissions from
these biomass
fuel sources
compare to
fossil fuels?

• Based on those
emissions, how
can using
biomass be a
mitigation
strategy?

http://www.viaspace.com/biomass_versus_alternatives.php
7.3.U3 Mitigation strategies for carbon removal (CDR techniques)
include: using carbon capture and storage (CCS)

The general idea is to capture CO2 and

store it somewhere it can’t trap infrared
radiation.

Capturing carbon in living biomass or

burying it deep underground are the
most commonly discussed and research
methods
7.3.U3 Mitigation strategies for carbon removal (CDR techniques)
include: enhancing carbon dioxide absorption by the oceans

Through either
fertilizing oceans with
compounds of nitrogen,
phosphorus and iron to
encourage the biological
pump, or increasing
upwellings to release
nutrients to the surface

Click on image

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_pump
 7.3.U5 Adaptation strategies can be used to reduce adverse
effects and maximize any positive effects

Adaptation: how to respond to climate change (reactive)

They are designed to lower the risks

posed by consequences of climate
change.
• Building design - improved air
conditioning and circulation in
building in the temperate zone
• Emerging diseases - monitoring and
control of spreading tropical
diseases
• Coastal management - improved
sea defenses or managed retreat
from low lying coastal are

https://blackfeetclimatechange.com/our-environment/climate-change-adaptation-plan/
7.3.U5 Adaptation strategies can be used to reduce adverse
effects and maximize any positive effects

• All of these strategies are designed to reduce

adverse effects of human populations. What about
the effects of climate change on global
biodiversity?
Remember that the Earth has
been around 4.5 billion years.
The planet will survive human-
caused climate change. So will
many other species. For most
people, the climate change
debate is ultimately about saving
humanity

http://www.pollutionprobe.org/wp-content/uploads/Alex-Wood.pdf
7.3.U5 Adaptation strategies can be used to reduce adverse
effects and maximize any positive effects

Examples of adaptations
include
• Flood defenses
• Vaccination
programs
• Desalination plants
• Planting of crops in
previously
unsuitable climates
7.3.U6 Adaptive capacity varies from place to place and can be
dependent on financial and technological resources

MEDCs can provide economic and technological support

to LEDCs
7.3.U7 There are international efforts and conferences to address
mitigation and adaptation strategies for climate change
7.3.U7 There are international efforts and conferences to address
mitigation and adaptation strategies for climate change
7.3.A2 Evaluate the effectiveness of international climate change
talks
Evaluate – weight the pros and cons to determine which are more significant or impactful

Consider:
• Was agreement reached: By which
countries?
• Do commitments focus on mitigation or
adaptation?
• Will the emissions commitments
achieve effective reduction in CO2
levels”?
• Did the talks reach consensus, or were
they contentious?
• Are the commitments legally binding?
• What are the consequences for not
reaching commitments?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_United_Nations_Climate_Change_Conference
7.3.A1 Discuss mitigation and adaptation strategies to deal with
Discuss: Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors
or hypotheses, opinions or conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by
appropriate evidence

Factors you might consider

• Cost/benefit analysis at national level
• MEDC vs LEDC practicality
• Degree of personal behavior change required
• Political implications
• Impact on international economic
competitiveness