C4 ClimateAndClimateChange

Climate and Climate Change
Table of Contents
What Causes Climate?
Climate Regions
Long-Term Changes in Climate
Global Changes in the Atmosphere


Key Terms
Key Concepts
• Climate
• What factors influence
• Microclimate
temperature?
• Tropical Zone
• What factors influence
precipitation? • Polar Zone
• What causes the • Temperate Zone
seasons? • Marine Climate
• Continental Climate
• Windward
• Leeward
• Monsoon

At a given locations, the weather may be cloudy and rainy one day
and clear and sunny the next. Climate refers to the average, year–
after–year conditions of temperature, rain, winds and clouds in an
area. A small area with climate conditions that differ from those
around it may have its own microclimate.
Climate and Climate Change - What Causes Climate?
World Temperature Zones

Based on latitude, Earth’s surface can be divided into a tropical zone,
two temperate zones, and two polar zones. The main factors that
influence temperature are latitude, altitude, distance from large
bodies of water, and ocean currents.
Latitude
Climates of locations near the equator are warmer than
climates of areas far from the equator. The tropical zone is
the area near the equator, between 23.5 degrees north and
south attitude.
The areas near both poles have cold climates. These polar
zones extend from about 66.5 degrees to 90 degrees north
and south latitudes.
Between the tropical zones and the polar zones are the
temperate zones. The weather in the temperate zones
ranges from warm to hot in summer to cool or cold in winter.
Distance From Large Bodies of Water

Oceans or large lakes can also affect temperatures. Water
heats up and cools down slower then land. Winds off the
ocean can prevent extremes of hot and cold. Much of the
coasts have mild marine climates, with relatively mild
winters and cool summers.
The centers of North America and Asia are too far inland to
be affected by the ocean. Continental climates have more
extreme temperatures than marine climates. Winters are cold
while summers are warm or hot.
Ocean Currents
Ocean currents have a significant effect on marine climates
around the world.
Factors Affecting Precipitation

The main factors that affect precipitation are prevailing
winds, the presence of mountains and seasonal winds.
Rain Shadow
A mountain range can form a barrier to the movement of air
masses and influence where precipitation falls. Rain or snow
falls on the windward side of the mountains, the side the
wind hits. The land on the leeward side of the mountains –
downwind – is in a rain shadow.
Monsoons
In a summer monsoon, wind blows from the ocean onto land. In the
winter, the monsoon reverses and blows from land to the ocean.
Summer monsoon is commonly called monsoon season and is the
time when there is heavy rain and weather.
Percentages
Light from the sun strikes Earth’s surface at different angles.
An angle is made up of two lines that meet at a point. Angles
are measured in degrees. A full circle has 360 degrees.
When the sun is directly overhead near the equator, it is at an
angle of 90º to Earth’s surface. A 90º angle is called a right
angle. What percentage of a circle is it?
A 90º angle is 25% of a full circle.

Percentages
Practice Problem
Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5º. About what

percentage of a right angle is this?
It is about 26.1 percent of a right angle.

The Seasons
The seasons are caused by the tilt of Earth’s axis as
Earth travels around the sun.
Building Vocabulary
After you read the section, reread the paragraphs that contain
definitions of Key Terms. Use what you have learned to write
a meaningful sentence using each Key Term.
Key Terms: Examples:
climate
temperate
leeward zone The landrefers
Climate
Between on
thethe
tropical
toleeward
the zones
average,
side
and
ofyear-after-year
the
the polar
mountains—
zones are
conditions
the
downwind—is
temperate of temperature,
inzones.
a rain shadow.
precipitation, winds, and
marine climate
monsoon clouds
Northand
Sea in land
an area.
America, South America,
breezes over a largeandregion
Europe have
that mild
change
microclimate marine
directionclimates,
withwith
A small area with relatively
the seasons
climate mildthat
are called
conditions winters
differand
monsoons. cool
from
summers.
those around it may have its own microclimate.
continental climate
tropical zone Continental
The tropical climates have
zone is the areamore
nearextreme
the equator,
temperatures
between aboutthan marine
23.5º north climates.
latitude and 23.5º south
windward latitude.
Rain or snow falls on the windward side of the
polar zone These polarthe
mountains, zones
side extend
the windfrom
hits.about 66.5º to 90º
north and 66.5º to 90º south latitudes.
End of Section:
What Causes
Climate?
Climate Regions
Key Concepts Key Terms

• What factors are used to • Rain Forest
classify climates? • Savanna
• What are the six main • Desert
climate regions? • Steppe
• Humid Subtropical
• Subarctic
• Tundra
• Permafrost
Climate and Climate Change - Climate Regions
Climate Regions
Climate regions are
classified according to a
combination of
temperature and
precipitation. Climates in
highland regions change
rapidly as altitude changes.
Climate Regions
There are six main climate
regions: tropical rainy, dry,
temperate marine, temperate
continental, polar and
highlands.
Tropical Rainy Climates

The tropics have two types of rainy climates: tropical
wet and tropical wet–and–dry.
Tropical Wet
In areas that have a tropical wet climate, many days are rainy, often
with afternoon thunderstorms. Rain forests are forests in which
large amounts of rain fall year round.
Tropical Wet and Dry

Areas that have tropical wet and dry climates receive slightly
less rain than tropical climates and have distinct dry and
rainy seasons. Instead of rain forests, there are tropical
grasslands called savannas.
Climate Graphs
A graph of average temperature (left) can be combined with
a graph of average precipitation (middle) to form a climate
graph. These graphs are for a tropical wet-and-dry region.
Dry Climates
Dry climates include arid and semiarid climates. They are
usually hot and dry areas.
Arid
On average, arid regions, or deserts, get less than 25 cm of
rain a year. Some deserts are hot and sandy, but others are
cold and rocky.
Temperate Marine Climates

There are three types of temperate marine climates: marine west
coast, humid subtropical, and Mediterranean. The coolest temperate
marine climate are found on the west coast of America. That is why they
are called marine west coast climate. Humid ocean air brings mild, rainy
winters and summer precipitation can vary.
Temperate Marine Climates

A coastal climate that is drier and warmer then west coast marine is
known as Mediterranean. With mild temperatures throughout the
year this makes the area ideal for growing olives and citrus fruits.
Humid Subtropical
Humid subtropical climates are wet and warm, but not as
constantly hot as the tropics.
Temperate Continental Climates

Temperate continental climates include humid
continental and subarctic climates. Subarctic climates
have cool summers and cold winters.
Polar Climates
Polar climates is the coldest climate region and includes ice cap
and tundra climates. The tundra climate region stretches across
northern Alaska, Canada, and Russia. Short, cool summers follow
bitterly cold winters. Because of the cold, some layers of the tundra are
always frozen. This permanently frozen tundra soil is called
permafrost.
Highlands
Temperature falls as altitude increases, so highland
regions are colder than the regions that surround them.
Comparing and Contrasting

As you read, compare and contrast the six main climate
regions by completing a table like the one below.
Climate Region Precipitation Temperature
Tropical rainy Heavy precipitation Hot
Dry Little rainfall Hot or Cold
Dry to rainy, depending Cool to hot, depending

Temperate marine on season and location on season and location
Temperate Light to moderate rainfall
Cold to hot, depending
continental on season and location
Polar Dry Cold
Wetter than nearby Cooler than nearby

Highlands lowlands lowlands
End of Section:
Climate Regions
Long-Term Changes in Climate

• What principle do • Ice Age
scientists follow in • Sunspot
studying ancient
climates?
• What changes occur on
Earth’s surface during an
ice age?
• What factors can cause
climate change?
Studying Climate Change

In studying ancient climates, scientists follow an important
principle: If plants or animals today need certain conditions to
live, then similar plants and animals in the past also required
those conditions.
Evidence of Climate Change

One source of information is pollen. Each type of plant has particular
types of pollen. When it is found the plants from the area can be
identified. Tree rings can also be used. Every summer a tree grows a
new layer of wood just under its bark. These layers can form patterns
that scientist can study.
Ice Ages
Over millions of years, warm periods have swapped with cold periods
known as ice ages, or glacial episodes. During each ice age, huge
sheets of ice called glaciers covered large parts of Earth’s surface.
Climate and Climate Change - Long-Term Changes in Climate
Ice Ages
The map shows the parts of North America that were
covered by glaciers 18,000 years ago. On the steppe near
the glaciers lived many mammals that are now extinct,
including woolly mammoths.
Ice Ages and Temperature

The graph shows the estimated
average worldwide temperature
over the last 350,000 years.
During this time, cold glacial
periods (blue) alternated with
warmer interglacial periods
(pink).

Reading Graphs:
What does the x-axis of the

graph represent? What does
the y-axis represent?
Number of years ago,

estimated average global
temperature in degrees
Celsius

Interpreting Data:
What pattern do you see in

these data? How would you
explain this pattern?
Periodic ups and down in
average global temperature;
the temperature changes
represent ice ages and
warmer times in between.
These changes may have
been caused by changes in
Earth’s position in space.

Predicting:
Based on the pattern over the
last 350,000 years, predict
how global temperature will
change in the future.
The pattern probably will

continue. Global
temperatures are relatively
high now, so they may
decrease in the future, all else
equal. Earth eventually will
have another ice age.
Causes of Climate Change

Possible explanations for major climate changes include
variations in the positions of Earth relative to the sun, changes
in the sun’s energy output, major volcanic eruptions, and the
movement of the continents.
Solar Energy
Short- term changes in climate have been linked to changes in the
number of sunspots – dark, cooler regions on the surface of the sun.
Moving Continents
The continents have moved over millions of years. These
movements have resulted in climate changes.
Identifying Supporting Evidence

As you read, identify the evidence that is used to show that
climates change.
Evidence
Tree rings
Hypothesis
Climate change Pollen
Evidence of past
glaciers
End of Section:
Long-Term
Changes in
Climate
Global Changes in the Atmosphere

• What events can cause • El Niῆo
short-term climate • La Niῆa
changes? • Global Warming
• How might human • Greenhouse Gas
activities be affecting the
temperature of Earth’s • Chlorofluorocarbon
atmosphere?
• How have humans
Short-Term Climate Change

El Niῆo and La Niῆa are short term changes in the
tropical Pacific Ocean caused by changes in ocean
surface currents and prevailing winds.
El Niῆo
The warm-water event known as El Niῆo begins when unusual patterns
of winds forms over the western Pacific. This causes a vast sheet of
warm water to move east toward the South American coast.
La Niῆa
When surface waters

in the eastern Pacific
are colder than normal,
a climate event known
as La Niῆa occurs.
Global Warming
Most changes in world climates are caused by natural factors. Recently
scientists have observed climate changes that could be the result of
human activities. The gradual increase in the temperature of Earth’s
atmosphere is called global warming.
The Greenhouse Hypothesis

Gases in the atmosphere that trap energy are called greenhouse
gases. Carbon dioxide, water vapor and methane are some of the
greenhouse gases. Many scientists have hypothesized that human
activities that add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere may be
warming Earth’s atmosphere.
Climate and Climate Change - Global Changes in the Atmosphere
Greenhouse Effect
Sunlight enters a greenhouse and is absorbed. The interior
of the greenhouse radiates back energy in the form of
infrared radiation, or heat. Much of the heat is trapped and
held inside the greenhouse, warming it.
Global Warming
Scientists think that an increase in carbon dioxide in the air is
a major factor in global warming.
The Ozone Hole

Chemicals produced by humans have damaged the ozone layer. A
large are of reduced ozone, or ozone hole, has been created over
Antarctica.
Chlorofluorocarbons
A major cause of ozone depletion is a group of compounds called
chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs. They were used in air conditioners and
refrigerators, as cleaners for electronic parts, and in aerosol sprays,
such as deodorants.
Asking Questions
Before you read, preview the red headings. Ask a what or
how question for each heading. As you read, write answers
to your questions.
Questions Answers
What is the greenhouse The process by which
effect? gases in Earth’s
atmosphere trap solar
energy
Why is ozone depletion a A decrease in ozone in the

concern? stratosphere causes more
ultraviolet light, which is
harmful, to reach Earth’s
surface.
End of Section:
Global Changes
in the
Atmosphere
Graphic Organizer
Climate
is determined by
Temperature Precipitation
is affected by is affected by
Latitude Altitude
Distance Ocean Prevailing Mountain
from water currents winds ranges
End of Section:
Graphic Organizer

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Climate and Climate Change

Long-Term Changes in Climate

Global Changes in the Atmosphere

What Causes Climate?

What Causes Climate?

World Temperature Zones

Distance From Large Bodies of Water

Factors Affecting Precipitation

A 90º angle is 25% of a full circle.

Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5º. About what

It is about 26.1 percent of a right angle.

Key Concepts Key Terms

Tropical Rainy Climates

Tropical Wet and Dry

Temperate Marine Climates

Temperate Marine Climates

Temperate Continental Climates

Comparing and Contrasting

Dry Little rainfall Hot or Cold

Dry to rainy, depending Cool to hot, depending

Polar Dry Cold

Wetter than nearby Cooler than nearby

Long-Term Changes in Climate

Key Concepts Key Terms

Studying Climate Change

Evidence of Climate Change

Ice Ages and Temperature

Ice Ages and Temperature

What does the x-axis of the

Number of years ago,

Ice Ages and Temperature

What pattern do you see in

Ice Ages and Temperature

The pattern probably will

Causes of Climate Change

Identifying Supporting Evidence

Climate change Pollen

Global Changes in the Atmosphere

Key Concepts Key Terms

Short-Term Climate Change

When surface waters

The Greenhouse Hypothesis

The Ozone Hole

Why is ozone depletion a A decrease in ozone in the

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