Biology II - Unit 2 Lecture 2 _ Climate Change Intro .docx

**Exam 2 Lecture 2** - **Sept 11 Lecture 2** Intro to Climate Change *[Human caused atmospheric phenomena]* (not related to climate, may have same causes): - - - - ***[Climate change = Long term changes]*** The **Greenhouse Effect** is how the earth traps heat near the surface. - -...

**Exam 2 Lecture 2** - **Sept 11 Lecture 2** Intro to Climate Change *[Human caused atmospheric phenomena]* (not related to climate, may have same causes): - - - - ***[Climate change = Long term changes]*** The **Greenhouse Effect** is how the earth traps heat near the surface. - - Greenhouse Effect becomes an issue when there's excess greenhouse gasses, causing an imbalance in "earth\'s energy budget". **Energy entering = energy escaping = stable temperature** - Incoming energy can be: - - - - - - - - - **[Changes in energy reflected]**: - Increased reflection = cools down Decreased reflection = warms up - - - - - Volcanic activity - - - - - *Some people have suggested that simulated volcanic eruptions by spreading aerosols in the upper atmosphere might be a way to temporarily ameliorate the impacts of CC. Check out any links to geoengineering for this and other solutions. Another one of these is the iron fertilization of the oceans to help draw down CO2. That also doesn't work in the long term.* **[Changes in amount of energy absorbed]** : Nitrogen makes up 78% of earth\'s atmosphere, followed by oxygen at 21%, and **trace gasses (GHGs) at 0.1%** ! Greenhouse gasses : gasses that absorb light - - - - - - - - - - *Some gasses act as GHGs because their molecules can effectively convert light into heat due to their asymmetry and molecular structure, while gasses like nitrogen and oxygen do not have this property and, therefore, do not trap heat.* **Global Warming Potential** (GWP) : - - - - - **[GWP]** - Carbon Dioxide = 1 GWP Methane = 20 GWP Nitrous Oxide = 300 GWP Fluorinated Gases = 5000 GWP Main Questions to answer: ------------------------- - - - - - - - -