Climate Change Past Paper PDF 09/24

Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 CLIMATE CHANGE Refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These changes can be na...

Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 CLIMATE CHANGE Refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These changes can be natural, such as through variations in the sun’s activity or volcanic eruptions, but since the mid- 20th century, human activities have been the primary driver. Vulnerability is a term used to assess the impacts of climate change in general and global warming in particular.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 Solar Output Variations: Changes in the sun’s energy output can influence Earth’s climate. NATURAL Meteorite Impacts: CAUSES OF Large impacts can alter climate by injecting dust and aerosols CLIMATE into the atmosphere. CHANGE Volcanic Eruptions: Eruptions can release large amounts of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂), which can lead to warming over thousands to millions of years.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 Increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are the primary drivers: Increasing concentrations of infrared- absorbing gases could trap heat and raise temperature with catastrophic effects. HUMAN INFLUENCE ON Deforestation: Cutting down forests will release CLIMATE stored carbon dioxide and will reduce the planet’s ability to absorb this greenhouse gas. CHANGE Industrialization: The burning of fossil fuels for energy and transportation emits large amounts of greenhouse gases that contribute significantly to global warming.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 ATMOSPHERE AND OCEAN INTERACTION Climate discussions often focus on the atmosphere, but oceans play a crucial role. Energy, Water, and CO2 Fluxes: Oceans interact with the atmosphere, exchanging heat, water, and carbon dioxide. Buffer Capacity: Oceans have a large capacity to absorb changes, unlike the atmosphere.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 TIME LAG IN CLIMATE EFFECTS: Natural climate changes occur slowly, and their effects are gradual. Human impacts on climate will also take time to manifest fully.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 DRIVING FORCES AND PATTERNS IN CLIMATIC CHANGES  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. D R I V I N G F O R C E S A N D 09/ /24 P A T T E R N S I N C L I M A T I C C H A N G E S MILANKOVITCH CYCLES Milankovitch cycles refer to the long-term changes in Earth’s orbit and axial tilt, which affect the distribution and intensity of sunlight received by Earth. These cycles include: Eccentricity: Changes in the shape of Earth’s orbit around the sun. Obliquity: Changes in the angle of Earth’s axial tilt. Precession: The wobble in Earth’s rotational axis. These cycles contribute to the natural climate variations over tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of years, influencing the onset of ice ages and interglacial periods.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. D R I V I N G F O R C E S A N D 09/ /24 P A T T E R N S I N C L I M A T I C C H A N G E S EL NIÑO- SOUTHERN OSCILLATION (ENSO) ENSO is a climate pattern that involves periodic fluctuations in sea surface temperatures and atmospheric pressure in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. It has two main phases: El Niño: Characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific that leads to significant weather changes such as increased rainfall in some regions and droughts in others. La Niña: The opposite phase, with cooler-than- average sea surface temperatures also causing notable weather impacts. ENSO is one of the most important sources of annual global climate variability, affecting weather patterns worldwide.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 EVIDENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 INCREASING FREQUENCY AND INTENSITY OF STORMS AND UNUSUAL WEATHER PATTERNS Climate change leads to more extreme weather events, including stronger storms and unpredictable weather.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 RISING LAND AND SEA TEMPERATURES Global warming causes both land and ocean temperatures to increase affecting ecosystems and weather patterns.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 TROPOSPHERIC WARMING AND STRATOSPHERIC COOLING The lower atmosphere (troposphere) warms due to greenhouse gases, while the upper atmosphere (stratosphere) cools.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 OCEAN HEAT CONTENT Oceans absorb much of the excess heat from global warming, leading to higher ocean temperatures.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 MELTING ICE Rising temperatures will cause glaciers and polar ice caps to melt, contributing to sea level rise.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 RISING SEA LEVEL Melting ice and thermal expansion of seawater due to warming will result in higher sea levels, threatening coastal areas.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 MIGRATION OF SPECIES Species are forced to move to new areas as their habitats change due to climate shifts.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 EXTINCTION OF SPECIES Rapid environmental changes and habitat loss will lead to the extinction of many species that are unable to adapt quickly enough.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 SOCIAL IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 Climate can be a contributing factor in the spread diseases Climate change can alter the habitats of disease vectors like mosquitoes leading to the spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue. Additionally, extreme weather events can disrupt healthcare services and sanitation, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 Climate is found to be one of the factors that influence water consumption Changes in climate can affect water availability and demand. For instance, higher temperatures can increase water consumption for agriculture and personal use, while altered precipitation patterns can affect water supply.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 Climate change exacerbates droughts by making them more frequent, longer, and more severe Warmer temperatures increase evaporation, reducing surface water and drying out soils and vegetation. This leads to more intense and prolonged drought conditions, affecting water availability, agriculture, and ecosystems.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 Migration and displacement (climate refugees) Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and changing agricultural conditions can force people to migrate thus creating climate refugees. These migrations can lead to social and economic challenges in both the areas people leave and the areas they move to.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 Biodiversity loss (extinction of species, habitat destruction) Biodiversity loss and climate change are interconnected because climate change destroys habitats and increases extreme weather that leads to the extinction of species. This loss of biodiversity weakens ecosystems’ ability to absorb carbon, further accelerating climate change.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 Deforestation and its feedback loop with climate change Deforestation reduces the number of trees that can absorb CO₂. In turn, climate change can lead to more forest fires and pest outbreaks, furthering deforestation.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 Ozone depletion and climate change are interconnected Substances like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) contribute to both ozone depletion and climate change. CFCs break down ozone in the stratosphere and are also potent greenhouse gases. Stratospheric Cooling: Ozone absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation, warming the stratosphere. Depletion of ozone leads to cooling of the stratosphere, which can influence weather patterns and climate. Increased UV Radiation: Ozone depletion allows more UV radiation to reach the Earth’s surface, which can affect ecosystems and human health, indirectly influencing climate systems.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 CONCLUSION Climate change is a global challenge that affects every aspect of our lives. It is driven by human activities, leading to significant environmental and social impacts, that is why addressing climate change requires a collective effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions which is one of the most major contributor and transitioning to renewable energy sources, and implement sustainable practices. By taking action now, we can mitigate its effects and ensure a healthier, more resilient planet for future generations.  Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24 REFERENCES Davis, Mackenzie L., Masten, Susan J., Principles of Environmental Engineering and Science, 3rd Edition, McGraw Hill, New York, 2014. Cunningham, William P., Environmental Science: A Global Concern, Second Edition, 1991. Cunningham, William P., & Cunningham, Mary Ann, Environmental Science: A Global Concern, Fourteenth Edition, New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2017. Joseph A. Salvato, Nelson L. Nemerow L. Nemerow, Franklin J. Agardy, Environmental Engineering, 5th Edition, USA, 2005. Peralta, Andrhea Nichole S. 09/ /24