Weather vs. Climate Quiz

Weather vs. Climate

• Weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions (days to weeks), including temperature, precipitation, humidity, and wind.
• Climate represents long-term weather patterns (over 30 years) in a region. It dictates the types of plants and animals that can survive there.
• Climate is the expectation, weather is the reality.

Climate Zones and Ecoregions

• Climate zones are regions categorized by temperature, precipitation, and plant/animal communities.
• Ecoregions are areas defined by climate, plants/animals, human factors, and soil/landforms.

Factors Affecting Climate

• Proximity to large bodies of water influences temperature and precipitation.
• Latitude (distance from the equator) significantly affects temperature.
• Ocean and air currents play a crucial role in climate distribution.
• Land formations and elevation influence local climates.

Solar Energy and the Greenhouse Effect

• The sun is the primary energy source for Earth.
• Approximately 30% of incoming solar radiation is reflected back into space.
• 70% is absorbed and then re-radiated as infrared light.
• The intensity of absorbed solar energy varies geographically.
• The greenhouse effect is a natural process where greenhouse gases trap and re-radiate infrared energy, warming the planet.
• Without the greenhouse effect, Earth's average temperature would be -18°C.
• With the greenhouse effect, Earth's average temperature is 15°C.
• A stronger greenhouse effect leads to a warmer planet.

Greenhouse Gases

• Greenhouse gases (GHGs) comprise atmospheric gases with two or more different elements.
• Examples include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and water vapor (H2O).

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

• CO2 comprises 0.038% of the atmosphere.
• Pre-industrial CO2 levels were ~280 ppm.
• Current levels are ~385 ppm.
• Oceans and plant life act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO2.

Water Vapor (H2O)

• Water vapor is responsible for a significant portion of the greenhouse effect.

Methane (CH4)

• Methane is 23 times more effective at trapping heat than CO2.
• Natural sources include plants and animals.
• Industrial processes significantly contribute to rising levels.

Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

• Nitrous oxide is 300 times more effective at trapping heat than CO2.
• Human activities are increasing N2O levels.

Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gases

• Anthropogenic GHGs are human-made GHGs.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

• Burning fossil fuels is the primary source of increased atmospheric CO2.
• Deforestation reduces the planet's capacity to absorb CO2.

Methane (CH4)

• Agricultural practices (e.g., livestock farming) contribute to methane emissions.
• Coal mining and deforestation also release methane.

Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

• Fertilizers and livestock feed are sources of nitrous oxide.

CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons)

• CFCs have no natural sources and were used in refrigerants.
• The Montreal Protocol has successfully reduced CFC emissions.

Water Vapor

• Increased water vapor can contribute to higher temperatures and greenhouse effect, but isn't directly a product of human actions in the same way as other greenhouse gases. (industry/irrigation/power plants influence this indirectly).

Evidence of Climate Change

• Global temperatures have increased by ~0.6°C since 1970.
• Canada has experienced a 1°C rise in temperature over the past ~55 years.
• Some regions have experienced up to a 2.5°C temperature increase.
• Glaciers are shrinking globally.
• Greenland's ice melting rate is accelerating.
• Rising sea levels are threatening low-lying areas.
• Extreme weather events (heat waves, storms) are becoming more frequent.
• Precipitation patterns are changing (increased rainfall in some areas, decreased rainfall in others).
• Seasons are shifting (e.g., later snowfalls, earlier spring arrivals, shorter cold periods, longer growing seasons).
• Ecosystems are changing due to climate shifts (species migration, earlier breeding patterns).