Climate Unit Science PDF

**Earths Energy Balance** Almost all energy used on earth to sustain life and cause our changing weather systems comes from the sun [The energy from the sun can be:] \(a) reflected off the atmosphere and clouds back into space (27%) \(b) reflected off the surface back into space (3%) \(c) absor...

**Earths Energy Balance** Almost all energy used on earth to sustain life and cause our changing weather systems comes from the sun [The energy from the sun can be:] \(a) reflected off the atmosphere and clouds back into space (27%) \(b) reflected off the surface back into space (3%) \(c) absorbed by clouds and atmosphere (20%) \(d) absorbed by land and oceans (50%) [Methods Of Energy (Heat) Transfer] **Radiation** \- transfer of energy by means of waves \- Note \"EM spectrum\" \- Does not need a material to travel through **Convection&Advection** -- the transfer of energy by the movement of particle in a fluid (liquid and gas) \- convection transfers energy vertically \- advection transfers energy horizontally \- \"convection current\" **Conduction** -- transfer of energy trough collison of particles - needs particles - Ex: land -\> solid ***ABEDO EFFECT*** Measurement of the percent of the light an object reflects - *The higher the Abedo, the greater the objects the objects ability to reflect sunlight* **Ex:** Fresh snow -- 0.80 - 0.90 (80%- 90%) High Albedo New concrete -- 0.55 Green grass -- 0.25 Bare soil -- 0.17 Fresh asphalt -- 0.04 Low Albedo **The Spheres of the Earth** 1. **Biosphere** --thin layer of earth that has conditions suitable for sustaining life 2. **Lithosphere** -- solid portion of the earth 3. **Hydrosphere** -- all the earths water 4. **Atmosphere** -- layer of gases that extends outward about 300 km from the surface of the earth Importance of the Exosphere: \- Acts as a boundary that protects Earth by absorbing some solar and cosmic radiation. \- Serves as the starting point for space exploration. **Wind** The sun heats the entire planet evenly The uneven heating and cooling Warm air is lighter than cool air so it rises due to being less dense When warm air rises, cool air swoops in to take its place (moves paralel to ground) This moving air is called \"wind\" ***2 main groups of wind*** **1 Local Winds** Occurs over smaller areas Change of speed and direction very often Felt low in atmosphere **2 Global Winds** Moves across the entire globe Blow at the same speed and in te same diection Generally felt high in troposhere Jet stream -- flow form 500km/hr -goes west to east **Regional weather** [1. thermals ] Local convection currents Formed during the day \"local wind\" formed [2.sea breezes ] Sun heats land faster than water Air moves from water to land due to convection \"cooler by the lake\" **Greenhouse effect** **Natural greenhouse effect** Absorption of thermal energy by the atmosphere (keeps the earth at livable temperature 16 degrees) Greenhouse gas = water vapour, methane, carbon dioxide, nitrous gas **Manmade Greenhouse Gas:** Anthropogenic **Impacts of Climate change** **Heat waves:** Can cause health issues like heatstroke, dehydration, and even fatalities, especially in vulnerable populations. **Drought:** Affects agriculture, water supply, and ecosystems, leading to crop failures and food scarcity. **Wildfires:** Destroys ecosystems, property, and contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. **Storms:** Can cause flooding, damage infrastructure, and lead to power outages and displacement of people.  ### **1. Difference Between Weather and Climate** - **Weather**: Short-term atmospheric conditions (e.g., rain, sun). - **Climate**: Long-term average weather patterns over decades. - Weather is like mood; climate is like personality. ### **2. The 4 Spheres of the Earth and Interactions** - **Atmosphere**: Gases surrounding Earth (oxygen, nitrogen). - **Lithosphere**: Solid Earth (rocks, soil). - **Hydrosphere**: All water (oceans, rivers). - **Biosphere**: All living things. - **Interactions**: E.g., hurricanes (atmosphere) cause flooding (hydrosphere), damage land (lithosphere), and affect ecosystems (biosphere). ### **3. Biome and Climate Relation** - **Biome**: Large area with specific plants, animals, and climate. - **Relation to Climate**: Temperature and precipitation define biomes. - **Example of Biome**: Temperate forest (cool winters, warm summers, moderate rainfall). ### **4. Three Ways Heat is Transferred** 1. **Radiation**: Transfer via electromagnetic waves (e.g., sunlight). 2. **Conduction**: Heat transfer through direct contact (e.g., touching a hot pan). 3. **Convection**: Heat transfer through fluid movement (e.g., boiling water). ### **5. Albedo** - **Definition**: Reflectivity of a surface. - **High Albedo**: Snow, ice (reflect more heat). - **Low Albedo**: Asphalt, forests (absorb more heat). ### **6. Thermal Energy Transfer in Hydrosphere and Atmosphere** - **Hydrosphere**: Sun warms water (radiation); warm water rises, cold sinks (convection). - **Atmosphere**: Air heated by sun (radiation), heat spreads by convection and conduction. ### **7. Atmosphere and Hydrosphere Contribution to Climate** - **Atmosphere**: Circulates heat and moisture, influencing temperature. - **Hydrosphere**: Oceans store and distribute heat via currents. - **Impact on Lithosphere**: Shapes landforms and ecosystems. ### **8. Natural Greenhouse Effect** - **Definition**: Trapping of heat by greenhouse gases (water vapor, CO₂). - **Importance**: Keeps Earth warm enough for life. ### **9. Anthropogenic Greenhouse Effect** - **Definition**: Enhanced greenhouse effect caused by human activities (e.g., burning fossil fuels). - **Impact**: Leads to global warming. ### **10. Net Radiation Budget** - **Definition**: Balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing heat. - **Disturbance**: Imbalance leads to climate change (Earth warms or cools). ### **11. Main Greenhouse Gases** 1. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) 2. Methane (CH₄) 3. Nitrous oxide (N₂O) 4. Fluorinated gases (CFCs, HFCs) - **Concentration**: Rising due to fossil fuels, agriculture, industry. ### **12. Causes of Global Warming** - Burning fossil fuels. - Deforestation. - Agriculture (methane from livestock). - Industrial processes. ### **13. Tree and Ice Cores in Climate Study** - **Tree Cores**: Show growth rates linked to climate conditions. - **Ice Cores**: Trap ancient air bubbles, revealing past CO₂ levels and temperatures. ### **14. Evidence for Global Warming** - Rising global temperatures. - Melting glaciers and ice caps. - Rising sea levels. - Extreme weather patterns. - Ocean acidification. ### **15. Effects of Climate Change on Society** - Food shortages. - Increased natural disasters. - Health risks (heatwaves, diseases). - Economic impacts (property damage, higher costs). ### **16. Global and Federal Climate Initiatives** - **Global**: Paris Agreement (limit warming to 1.5°C). - **Federal**: Renewable energy investments, carbon pricing policies. ### **17. Reducing Energy Consumption** - Use energy-efficient appliances. - Switch to renewable energy (solar, wind). - Reduce car use (carpool, public transport). ### **18. Personal Contribution to Climate Change** - Examples: High energy use, driving fossil-fuel vehicles, excessive waste. - **Plan to Reduce**: - Use less electricity (LED bulbs, unplug devices). - Walk or bike instead of driving. - Reduce, reuse, recycle effectively.