Climate Change

Climate change:

Changes in many climatic factors.

Global warming: The rise in global temperatures.

Energy Balance

Energy gain from solar radiation = The energy loss by the Earth’s surface.

This energy balance determine the Earth’s average surface temperature.

Earth emits energy in the form of Infra red radiation.

Greenhouse Effect

Certain atmospheric gases trap some of the infrared radiation that escapes from the Earth, making the Earth warmer than it would be otherwise. This effect is called “ Greenhouse Effect” .

The gases cause this effect are called “Greenhouse Gases”.

Greenhouse Gases

Carbon dioxideMethane Nitrous oxideWater vapor

Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gases

Atmospheric CO2

Average Earth Temperature increased by 0.6 oC (1 F) during 20th Century

Current temperature: highest in 1000 years.

CO2 550 ppm to 1000 ppm in 2100

CO2 effects are long-term

Adaptation and Mitigation

What are some mitigation steps?

• Reduce CO2 emissions by reducing consumption of fossil fuel.

• Protection of rainforests and other CO2 sinks.

• Develop and use Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

What are some adaptation steps?

•Protect endangered species with larger refuges.•Avoid flooding risks.•Protect water supplies.•Protect grasslands and agricultural lands against overuse.

Calculate US Carbon Emissions

US / Global

= 1.6 BMT / 6.6 BMT

= 24 %

The US emits 24% of Global CO2.