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Unit D: Energy Flow in Global Systems Section 1: Climate In 2017, we predicted this about 2050… In 2021, this happened… But we are very, very bad about thinking about climate change…  Climate vs. Weather Weather – Conditions of the atmosphere over a...

Unit D: Energy Flow in Global Systems Section 1: Climate In 2017, we predicted this about 2050… In 2021, this happened… But we are very, very bad about thinking about climate change…  Climate vs. Weather Weather – Conditions of the atmosphere over a SHORT period of time – Can change by the minute, hour, day, month, and season Climate – Behaviours of the atmosphere over a LONG period of time – Long-term pattern of weather over time and space Climate vs. Weather  What am I referring to? I can’t believe it is snowing in May! Never plant the garden until after May long weekend. Don’t plant your tomatoes yet. We can still get frost at this time of the year. A cold snap is hitting Alberta this winter. What happens if you don’t understand the difference…?  The Spheres of Earth Weather and climate result from the interactions between the different parts of the bioshpere  The Spheres of Earth Biosphere – Thin layer of Earth able to support life – Include all living things and physical environment supporting them – Made up of three interacting spheres Atmosphere → layer of gases around Earth Lithosphere → solid portion of Earth Hydrosphere → water on Earth  Atmosphere Rises over 500 km above Earth’s surface Contains gases, water vapour, and atmospheric dust (small solid particles)  Atmosphere Divided into layers based on temperature Troposphere – Altitude: 0 to 10 km – Average temperature: 15 to -60 ℃ – Oxygen level able to support life – all weathers occur here  Atmosphere Stratophere – Altitude: 10 to 50 km – Average temperature: -60 to 0 ℃ – Contains the ozone (O3) layer → absorbs sun’s energy and radiation  Atmosphere Mesosphere – Altitude: 50 to 80 km – Average temperature: 0 to -100 ℃ Thermosphere – Altitude: 80 km and above – Average temperature: -100 to 1500 ℃  Altitude vs. Temperature Altitude → distance above Earth’s surface from sea level Troposphere – Temperature decreases with altitude – One reason there is an upper limit for plant growth in mountains  Lithosphere The crust and mantle of Earth  Hydrosphere All the water on Earth – 97% → salt water – 3% → fresh water (mostly in ice, glaciers, polar ice caps) Amount of water on Earth is constant  Adaptation to Climate How do you think each of these organisms are adapted to their climates?  Adaptation to Climate How do you think each of these organisms are adapted to their climates?  Adaptation to Climate What if the climate changes too fast? Rapid Climate Change → Collapse of Biodiversity