earth’s climate system & factors affecting climate

Earth’s Climate System Earth’s Climate System & Factors Affecting & Factors Affecting

ClimateClimate

Earth’s Atmosphere…Earth’s Atmosphere…► The envelope of The envelope of

gases surrounding gases surrounding Earth, also consists of Earth, also consists of microscopic dust microscopic dust particles that act as particles that act as condensation nucleii condensation nucleii to allow for to allow for condensation & cloud condensation & cloud formationformation

Layers of Earth’s Atmosphere…Layers of Earth’s Atmosphere…►Earth’s atmosphere is Earth’s atmosphere is layeredlayered according according

to densityto density►Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere,

Thermosphere, Exosphere all have Thermosphere, Exosphere all have different properties, conditionsdifferent properties, conditions

Composition of Atmosphere:Composition of Atmosphere: 78% Nitrogen78% Nitrogen 21% Oxygen21% Oxygen 0.9% Argon0.9% Argon 0.1% Water Vapor, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, 0.1% Water Vapor, Carbon Dioxide, Methane,

Nitrogen Oxides, Ozone, etc.Nitrogen Oxides, Ozone, etc.

►Although the last group is only 0.1%, Although the last group is only 0.1%, these are critical to life on Earth!these are critical to life on Earth!

►Earth’s Greenhouse Effect is caused Earth’s Greenhouse Effect is caused mostly by the last group!mostly by the last group!

How is the Earth Heated?How is the Earth Heated?►By the Sun of course!By the Sun of course!► Incoming Solar Radiation = InsolationIncoming Solar Radiation = Insolation

Most insolation reaching Earth’s surface is in Most insolation reaching Earth’s surface is in the form of visible light rays!the form of visible light rays!

Lesser amounts of X-rays, gamma rays, radio Lesser amounts of X-rays, gamma rays, radio waves, infrared, ultraviolet make it to Earth, waves, infrared, ultraviolet make it to Earth, but are typically intercepted by gases in but are typically intercepted by gases in Earth’s upper atmosphere, or shielded by Earth’s upper atmosphere, or shielded by magnetic fieldmagnetic field

How is the Earth Heated?How is the Earth Heated?

► Earth’s surface is heated Earth’s surface is heated unequallyunequally by the Sun by the Sun► Heat is transferred Heat is transferred from warmerfrom warmer areas areas to colderto colder

areas in one of three ways:areas in one of three ways:1.1. Conduction = heat transfer through molecular contact; Conduction = heat transfer through molecular contact;

When 2 objects are touching on another, heat is When 2 objects are touching on another, heat is transferred from the hotter to the colder until transferred from the hotter to the colder until equilibrium is reachedequilibrium is reached

2.2. Convection = the circular flow of heat due to density Convection = the circular flow of heat due to density differencesdifferences Warm air rises (less dense) while cold air sinks (more dense)Warm air rises (less dense) while cold air sinks (more dense)

3.3. Radiation = energy moving in the form of waves Radiation = energy moving in the form of waves coming from the Sun coming from the Sun Incoming Solar Radiation = Incoming Solar Radiation = INSOLATIONINSOLATION Most insolation that actually reaches Earth’s surface is in the Most insolation that actually reaches Earth’s surface is in the

form of form of visible light visible light rays (4.0 x 10rays (4.0 x 10-5-5 to 7.0 x 10 to 7.0 x 10-5-5cm)cm)

Fate of Incoming Solar Fate of Incoming Solar Radiation…Radiation…

How is the Earth Heated?How is the Earth Heated?

► Earth’s Greenhouse Effect:Earth’s Greenhouse Effect:► Earth is heated when visible light rays strike the Earth is heated when visible light rays strike the

surface, and energy is absorbed and then re-surface, and energy is absorbed and then re-radiated as infrared heatradiated as infrared heat

► Incoming visible light radiation is a SHORTER Incoming visible light radiation is a SHORTER wavelength than outgoing infrared radiation.wavelength than outgoing infrared radiation. Gases in atmosphere are Gases in atmosphere are transparenttransparent to incoming to incoming

solar radiation (mostly visible light) & allow it to solar radiation (mostly visible light) & allow it to reach Earth’s surfacereach Earth’s surface

Visible light strikes earth’s surface, which heats up Visible light strikes earth’s surface, which heats up and emits and emits longer wavelengthslonger wavelengths of energy in the of energy in the form of form of infrared radiationinfrared radiation (called terrestrial (called terrestrial radiation)radiation)

Gases in atmosphere are NOT transparent to Gases in atmosphere are NOT transparent to outgoing infrared rays, and some of it is re-directed outgoing infrared rays, and some of it is re-directed back towards Earth’s surface, thereby heating the back towards Earth’s surface, thereby heating the troposphere!troposphere!

Sun’s Electromagnetic Sun’s Electromagnetic SpectrumSpectrum

Draw Earth’s Greenhouse Draw Earth’s Greenhouse Effect!Effect!

Albedo: the “reflectivity” of a Albedo: the “reflectivity” of a surfacesurface

►Earth’s surface varies greatly in the Earth’s surface varies greatly in the amount of insolation it can absorbamount of insolation it can absorb High albedo (very reflective, non-absorbing High albedo (very reflective, non-absorbing

surfaces) include ice sheets, snowsurfaces) include ice sheets, snow Low albedo surfaces include pavement, Low albedo surfaces include pavement,

buildings, etc.buildings, etc. Forests and the ocean have low albedo Forests and the ocean have low albedo

values (perhaps only 5% reflectivity), so they values (perhaps only 5% reflectivity), so they can absorb lots of solar energy!can absorb lots of solar energy!

Natural Physical Factors Affecting Natural Physical Factors Affecting Climate:Climate:

1.1. Latitude: Latitude: • near equator is warm, near poles is cold, because near equator is warm, near poles is cold, because

at equator the Sun strikes Earth at a at equator the Sun strikes Earth at a higher angle higher angle of insolationof insolation, at poles Sun strikes Earth at a , at poles Sun strikes Earth at a lower angle of insolationlower angle of insolation


1.1. Latitude…continued: Latitude…continued: • Seasons on Earth are determined by Seasons on Earth are determined by

latitude and angle of insolation at various latitude and angle of insolation at various times throughout the year, and are caused times throughout the year, and are caused by:by:► Tilt of Earth’s axisTilt of Earth’s axis► Earth’s revolution around the SunEarth’s revolution around the Sun► Parallelism of Earth’s axisParallelism of Earth’s axis

Seasons on Earth…Seasons on Earth…

Yearly Yearly Daylight Daylight

Analemma Analemma for for

PoughkeepsiPoughkeepsie, NYe, NY

Yearly Daylight Yearly Daylight Analemma for Analemma for Quito, EcuadorQuito, Ecuador

Yearly Daylight Yearly Daylight Analemma for Analemma for

Melbourne, Melbourne, AustraliaAustralia

Yearly Daylight Yearly Daylight Analemma for Analemma for Barrow, AlaskaBarrow, Alaska

Yearly Daylight Yearly Daylight Analemma for Analemma for

the Geographic the Geographic North Pole!North Pole!


2.2. Proximity to a large Proximity to a large body of water (ocean body of water (ocean or large lake):or large lake):► Water has a high Water has a high

specific heat, so specific heat, so the ocean does the ocean does NOT heat up or NOT heat up or cool down easily, cool down easily, and therefore and therefore helps to regulate helps to regulate temperatures of temperatures of nearby coastal nearby coastal areasareas


3.3. Nearness to mountains:Nearness to mountains:► Higher elevations have colder avg. Higher elevations have colder avg.

temperatures, longer snowpack, etc.temperatures, longer snowpack, etc.► Orographic effect: (rainshadow)Orographic effect: (rainshadow)

Windward side of mountains force air to Windward side of mountains force air to rise, expand, cool, and cause water vapor to rise, expand, cool, and cause water vapor to condense, forming clouds and abundant condense, forming clouds and abundant rainfallrainfall

Leeward side of mountains experience dry Leeward side of mountains experience dry conditions as air sinks…called the conditions as air sinks…called the “rainshadow” side.“rainshadow” side.

Draw the Windward & Leeward Sides of a Mountain Range

Orographic (Mountain) Effect:Orographic (Mountain) Effect:


4.4. Global Wind Circulation Global Wind Circulation PatternsPatterns

Due to the Due to the unequal unequal heatingheating of Earth’s of Earth’s surface, there are major surface, there are major temperature zones on temperature zones on Earth (equator is warm, Earth (equator is warm, poles are cold)poles are cold)

Global Wind & Pressure Belts…Global Wind & Pressure Belts…►Temperature differences create Temperature differences create

pressure differencespressure differences, which cause the , which cause the wind to blow from areas of high pressure wind to blow from areas of high pressure toward areas of low pressure!toward areas of low pressure!

►Global wind belts are formed as major Global wind belts are formed as major convectionconvection cells, helping to distribute cells, helping to distribute heat more equally across globe!heat more equally across globe!

►Overall weather and climate patterns are Overall weather and climate patterns are impacted by what global wind belt impacted by what global wind belt influences a particular area.influences a particular area.

Earth’s major global wind and pressure beltsEarth’s major global wind and pressure belts


5.5. Ocean Circulation Patterns:Ocean Circulation Patterns:• Prevailing wind belts create mass Prevailing wind belts create mass

movements of ocean water (currents)movements of ocean water (currents)• Circular ocean currents are called “gyres”Circular ocean currents are called “gyres”• Ocean currents are also influenced by the Ocean currents are also influenced by the

Coriolis effect, and tend to circulate Coriolis effect, and tend to circulate clockwise in the N. hemisphere, and clockwise in the N. hemisphere, and counterclockwise in the S. hemispherecounterclockwise in the S. hemisphere

• Ocean currents are forced to move around Ocean currents are forced to move around major landmasses (continents and islands)major landmasses (continents and islands)

Earth’s Major Ocean CurrentsEarth’s Major Ocean Currents

Global Ocean CurrentsGlobal Ocean Currents• A warm ocean current approaching a A warm ocean current approaching a

coastline will likely keep nearby temperatures coastline will likely keep nearby temperatures warmer, while a cooler ocean current warmer, while a cooler ocean current approaching a coastline will likely keep approaching a coastline will likely keep nearby temperatures cooler than they would nearby temperatures cooler than they would otherwise be. otherwise be.

Cold vs. Warm Ocean CurrentsCold vs. Warm Ocean Currents


6.6. Ocean-Atmosphere InteractionsOcean-Atmosphere Interactions• The ocean interacts with the atmosphere to The ocean interacts with the atmosphere to

dramatically influence climate patterns dramatically influence climate patterns worldwideworldwide

• El Nino & La Nina can impact global climate El Nino & La Nina can impact global climate in any given yearin any given year

El Nino & La Nina EventsEl Nino & La Nina Events► What is an “El Nino” or a “La What is an “El Nino” or a “La

Nina”?Nina”? An El Niño/La Nina event is an An El Niño/La Nina event is an

oscillation of the ocean-oscillation of the ocean-atmosphere system in the atmosphere system in the tropical Pacifictropical Pacific having important having important consequences for weather around consequences for weather around the globe.the globe.

This interaction is sometimes This interaction is sometimes called ENSO = El Nino/Southern called ENSO = El Nino/Southern OscillationOscillation

El Nino & La Nina are the changes El Nino & La Nina are the changes that occur in the oceanthat occur in the ocean sea sea surface temperaturessurface temperatures

The “Southern Oscillation” refers The “Southern Oscillation” refers to the atmospheric changes to the atmospheric changes occurring, specifically the monthly occurring, specifically the monthly or seasonal fluctuations in the air or seasonal fluctuations in the air pressure difference between pressure difference between Tahiti and Darwin, Australia. Tahiti and Darwin, Australia.

El Nino & La Nina El Nino & La Nina cause major world cause major world

wide climate wide climate consequences: (El consequences: (El

Nino Climate Nino Climate Consequences Consequences Shown Here)Shown Here)

Normal Conditions in the Tropical Normal Conditions in the Tropical Pacific Ocean…Pacific Ocean…

Normal Conditions in the Tropical Normal Conditions in the Tropical Pacific Ocean…Pacific Ocean…

► Typically, strong trade winds Typically, strong trade winds (from both North and South), (from both North and South), meet up and blow ocean meet up and blow ocean water AWAY from coast of water AWAY from coast of Peru, pushing warm water Peru, pushing warm water toward the western tropical toward the western tropical Pacific (near Australia)Pacific (near Australia)

► This allows cold water This allows cold water upwelling off the coast to upwelling off the coast to replace the warm water that replace the warm water that has departed.has departed.

► Fishing industry benefits Fishing industry benefits greatly, because cold water greatly, because cold water upwelling brings nutrients to upwelling brings nutrients to supply base of elaborate food supply base of elaborate food web!web!

Normal Conditions in the Tropical Pacific Normal Conditions in the Tropical Pacific Ocean…Ocean…

El Nino ConditionsEl Nino Conditions

►During El Niño, the During El Niño, the trade winds weaken trade winds weaken in the central and in the central and western Pacific western Pacific leading to a leading to a warming of the warming of the surface ocean surface ocean waters in the waters in the eastern Pacific eastern Pacific (typically off the (typically off the coast of Peru). coast of Peru).

El NinoEl Nino►The deeper thermocline results in less The deeper thermocline results in less

upwelling, lack of nutrients, and a loss of upwelling, lack of nutrients, and a loss of productivity and fish!productivity and fish!

►The deeper thermocline impacts climate The deeper thermocline impacts climate world-wide!world-wide!

El Nino Conditions…El Nino Conditions…

Recognizing El Nino…Recognizing El Nino…► El Nino can be El Nino can be

identified by identified by monitoring Sea monitoring Sea Surface Temperatures Surface Temperatures in the tropical Pacific in the tropical Pacific ocean, using moored ocean, using moored buoys (see diagram).buoys (see diagram).

► Buoys send data Buoys send data continuously to continuously to satellite, which satellite, which transmits back to transmits back to NOAA computersNOAA computers

NORMAL CONDITIONS

EL NINO CONDITIONS

El Nino El Nino ImpactsImpacts

La Nina Conditions:La Nina Conditions:►During La Nina, trade winds strengthen, During La Nina, trade winds strengthen,

thereby more effectively pushing warm thereby more effectively pushing warm surface water westward, away from the surface water westward, away from the coast of Peru, and allowing for increased coast of Peru, and allowing for increased cold water upwelling off the coast, cold water upwelling off the coast, enhancing the productivity and fishing enhancing the productivity and fishing habitats.habitats.

La Nina ConditionsLa Nina Conditions

A look at all three conditions…A look at all three conditions…

Where did the name come Where did the name come from?from?

►El NiñoEl Niño was originally recognized by was originally recognized by fisherman off the coast of South America fisherman off the coast of South America as the appearance of unusually warm as the appearance of unusually warm water in the Pacific ocean, occurring near water in the Pacific ocean, occurring near the beginning of the year. the beginning of the year.

►El Niño means The Little Boy or Christ El Niño means The Little Boy or Christ child in Spanish. This name was used for child in Spanish. This name was used for the tendency of the phenomenon to the tendency of the phenomenon to arrive around Christmas. arrive around Christmas.

►La NiñaLa Niña means The Little Girl. means The Little Girl.

La Nina La Nina ImpactsImpacts

……

Animated SST Sequence: ENSOAnimated SST Sequence: ENSO

Most Recent ENSO IndexMost Recent ENSO Index

Current Observations of Current Observations of ClimateClimate

►Today, a wide variety of instruments have Today, a wide variety of instruments have been deployed to continuously measure a been deployed to continuously measure a large number of climate factors including:large number of climate factors including: Air temperatureAir temperature Sea surface temperatureSea surface temperature Greenhouse Trace Gas concentrations (COGreenhouse Trace Gas concentrations (CO22, ,

CHCH44, O, O33, NO, NO, NO, NO22, etc., etc. Response of plants (budding times, size, etc.)Response of plants (budding times, size, etc.) Response of animals (changes in range, Response of animals (changes in range,

timing of reproduction, etc.)timing of reproduction, etc.)

Current Observations of Current Observations of ClimateClimate

Climate Change:Climate Change:►Due to human influence, the Earth’s Due to human influence, the Earth’s

climate systems are changing as a climate systems are changing as a response to the increased greenhouse response to the increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere caused by the gases in the atmosphere caused by the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation burning of fossil fuels and deforestation of the planet.of the planet.

Methods Used to Gather Current Methods Used to Gather Current Data:Data:

►Weather monitoring Weather monitoring stations stations

►Weather balloonsWeather balloons These measure air These measure air

pressure, humidity, pressure, humidity, wind direction, wind wind direction, wind speed, temperature, speed, temperature, dew point temperature dew point temperature on a daily basison a daily basis

Some now also Some now also monitoring monitoring atmospheric gas atmospheric gas contentcontent

Methods Used to Gather Current Methods Used to Gather Current Data:Data:

►Ocean surface buoysOcean surface buoys Measure sea surface Measure sea surface

temps., ocean currents temps., ocean currents direction and speed, direction and speed, etc.etc.

►Data from ships at Data from ships at seasea

► Satellites orbiting Satellites orbiting EarthEarth

► Field observations Field observations from ecosystem from ecosystem studiesstudies

Effects of Global Warming…What Have Effects of Global Warming…What Have We Found So Far? We Found So Far?

►An overall 1°C increase (about 2°F) over the An overall 1°C increase (about 2°F) over the past 100 years.past 100 years.

►Sea level has risen consistently since the Sea level has risen consistently since the end of the last ice age (past 18,000 years or end of the last ice age (past 18,000 years or so)so)

►Antarctic & Greenland ice core data reveal Antarctic & Greenland ice core data reveal that Earth’s current warming trend that Earth’s current warming trend outpaces any natural warming trends that outpaces any natural warming trends that have occurred in the past, and are therefore have occurred in the past, and are therefore likely the result of human influences likely the result of human influences (burning fossil fuels & deforestation).(burning fossil fuels & deforestation).

VostoVostok Ice k Ice Core Core Data:Data:

Effects of Global Warming…What May Effects of Global Warming…What May Happen?Happen?

► The IPCC = The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate The IPCC = The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change produces an annual report that outlines new Change produces an annual report that outlines new findings, analyzes real-time data, and makes findings, analyzes real-time data, and makes projections about future climate based on various projections about future climate based on various computer modelscomputer models

► The enhanced greenhouse effect and the subsequent The enhanced greenhouse effect and the subsequent warming of the Earth has several major implications for warming of the Earth has several major implications for the planet, including:the planet, including: Melting of glaciers and sea level rise (some rise due to thermal Melting of glaciers and sea level rise (some rise due to thermal

expansion as ocean warms, some due to additional water in expansion as ocean warms, some due to additional water in oceans from melting continental glaciers)oceans from melting continental glaciers)

Changes in precipitation patternsChanges in precipitation patterns Effects on organismsEffects on organisms Effects on human healthEffects on human health Effects on agricultureEffects on agriculture Other potential “surprises”, such as the shutting down of the N. Other potential “surprises”, such as the shutting down of the N.

Atlantic ocean conveyorAtlantic ocean conveyor

Tree Ring Studies…Tree Ring Studies…

Effects of Global Warming…What Have We Effects of Global Warming…What Have We

Found?Found? ►Melting IceMelting Ice

Arctic Sea Ice Change…2005 to Arctic Sea Ice Change…2005 to 20072007

2007 Arctic Ice Video2007 Arctic Ice Video

Effects of Global Warming…What Have We Effects of Global Warming…What Have We Found?Found?

► Sea Level Sea Level Rise Rise (Animation)(Animation)

Effects of Global Warming…What Have We Effects of Global Warming…What Have We Found? Found? Changes in Precipitation & More Extreme Changes in Precipitation & More Extreme

Weather EventsWeather Events

Effects of Global Warming…What Have Effects of Global Warming…What Have We Found?We Found?

►Certain plants are responding to warmer Certain plants are responding to warmer temperatures by:temperatures by: Showing signs of stress (disease)Showing signs of stress (disease) Earlier average budding dates in springEarlier average budding dates in spring Shifting their ranges Shifting their ranges

Leafing Dates of Oak Trees (SE Leafing Dates of Oak Trees (SE England)England)

Fig. 16-11, p. 377

Possible Effects of Global Warming Possible Effects of Global Warming on Beech Treeson Beech Trees

Futurerange

Overlap

Presentrange

Beech

What have we found lately?What have we found lately?

► Certain animals Certain animals are responding to are responding to warmer warmer temperatures by:temperatures by: Becoming Becoming

endangered or endangered or threatened as they threatened as they lose habitat (Polar lose habitat (Polar Bears, Bears, Amphibians, etc.)Amphibians, etc.)

Shifting their Shifting their rangesranges

Changing their Changing their feeding habits, feeding habits, etc.etc.

What’s happening in the What’s happening in the oceans?oceans?

►Thermohaline Circulation = known as the Thermohaline Circulation = known as the “oceanic conveyor belt”…it is the mass “oceanic conveyor belt”…it is the mass movement of ocean water by convection movement of ocean water by convection as heated, less dense water moves as heated, less dense water moves across surface (usually from equator across surface (usually from equator toward poles), while colder, more saline, toward poles), while colder, more saline, denser waters move at depth (usually denser waters move at depth (usually back towards equator)back towards equator) This circulation is largely responsible for the This circulation is largely responsible for the

re-distribution of heat across the planetre-distribution of heat across the planet

Thermohaline Circulation…Thermohaline Circulation…

Thermohaline Circulation…what’s Thermohaline Circulation…what’s happening?happening?

the overall the overall movement of movement of water in the water in the North Atlantic North Atlantic appears to be appears to be slowing down slowing down with the influx with the influx of fresh water of fresh water from the from the Arctic…Arctic…

Thermohaline Circulation…what’s Thermohaline Circulation…what’s happening? happening?

►Shutting Down of the N. Atlantic Shutting Down of the N. Atlantic Conveyor Has Huge Climate Implications:Conveyor Has Huge Climate Implications: May actually plunge Europe into an “ice age”, May actually plunge Europe into an “ice age”,

since the Gulf Stream may not continue to since the Gulf Stream may not continue to bring warmthbring warmth

Could drastically alter marine ecosystems, Could drastically alter marine ecosystems, impacting fisheries worldwideimpacting fisheries worldwide

May trigger more severe climatic events such May trigger more severe climatic events such as hurricanes where water becomes as hurricanes where water becomes excessively heatedexcessively heated

???? Remember…we are performing an ???? Remember…we are performing an experiement on ourselves!experiement on ourselves!

Other oceanic changes… Other oceanic changes… ► Sea surface temperatures are getting slightly Sea surface temperatures are getting slightly

higher...but it takes a LOT of heat energy to higher...but it takes a LOT of heat energy to increase temps of oceans even slightly (recall increase temps of oceans even slightly (recall water’s high specific heat)water’s high specific heat)

Other oceanic changes…Other oceanic changes…►Acidification of the oceans…pH values Acidification of the oceans…pH values

have decreased by approximately 0.1 unit have decreased by approximately 0.1 unit in surface waters already due to oceanic in surface waters already due to oceanic uptake of anthropogenic COuptake of anthropogenic CO22 (NOAA) (NOAA)

►pH values may go down another 0.4 units pH values may go down another 0.4 units with expected anthropogenic increases in with expected anthropogenic increases in COCO22 (NOAA) (NOAA)

►Lower pH values change the carbonate Lower pH values change the carbonate chemistry of the water…and in effect chemistry of the water…and in effect begins to dissolve the shells of marine begins to dissolve the shells of marine organisms!organisms!

Effects of Global Warming…what’s Effects of Global Warming…what’s next?next?

► IPCC = Intergovernmental Panel on Climate IPCC = Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that temperatures may increase Change predicts that temperatures may increase anywhere from 1.4° to 5.8 °C in the next century!anywhere from 1.4° to 5.8 °C in the next century!

►Warming is most extreme in the Arctic, where Warming is most extreme in the Arctic, where record low ice levels have been reported in the record low ice levels have been reported in the past year!past year!

► Crop failures, desertification, and the increased Crop failures, desertification, and the increased incidence of insect-borne diseases are predicted incidence of insect-borne diseases are predicted or are already present!or are already present!

► Emerging diseases may also be linked to warmer Emerging diseases may also be linked to warmer temperatures…temperatures…

► Economic failure in some areas will impact the Economic failure in some areas will impact the entire world…it is a world economy!entire world…it is a world economy!

Risk of Malaria Transmission Will Risk of Malaria Transmission Will Increase due to Global Warming…Increase due to Global Warming…

North & North & South South

America America ConsequenceConsequence

ss

Consequences Consequences for the rest of for the rest of

the worldthe world

More heat, more pollen, more More heat, more pollen, more asthma, more ozone…asthma, more ozone…

Annual Mean Water Temperature at Poughkeepsie

Year

1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Tem

pera

ture

11.0

11.5

12.0

12.5

13.0

13.5

14.0

Sen (Q=.017; p<.001)

What’s Causing The Enhanced Greenhouse Effect What’s Causing The Enhanced Greenhouse Effect and “Global Warming”?...HUMANS! and “Global Warming”?...HUMANS!

(anthropogenic factors)(anthropogenic factors)► Increases in greenhouse trace gases Increases in greenhouse trace gases

(GTG’s) have been primarily due to (GTG’s) have been primarily due to human activities, which are called human activities, which are called anthropogenic effects.anthropogenic effects.

►Greenhouse trace gases, include HGreenhouse trace gases, include H22O O (water vapor) CO(water vapor) CO22 (carbon dioxide), CH (carbon dioxide), CH44 (methane), N(methane), NxxOOxx (nitrous oxides), O (nitrous oxides), O33 (ozone), and halocarbons like CFC’s (ozone), and halocarbons like CFC’s (chlorofluorocarbons). (chlorofluorocarbons).

earth’s climate system & factors affecting climate

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