CLIMATE

CHANGE

POWERPOINT LESSON
 Learning Objectives

• Distinguish between weather and climate.

• Describe the greenhouse effect, global warming,
and the causes and effects of climate change.
• Analyze greenhouse gas and ice melt data and
relate it to the causes and effects of climate
change.
• Explore how humans impact the global climate
and how they can reduce their contribution of
greenhouse gases.
Weather and Climate
 Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate are not the same.
Weather Climate
Measured over short-term Measured as an average over
(day-to-day) a long period of time
Changes of the condition of Six major climate zones: Polar,
the atmosphere at a certain Temperate, Arid, Tropical,
place and time Tundra, Mediterranean
Precipitation and Temperature Precipitation and Temperature
Reported as a temporary Reported as averages over a
forecast long period of time
Local - occurs differently in Occurs similarly over a large
smaller regions region
 Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is the
natural warming of Earth’s surface
and lower atmosphere
• Caused by infrared radiation
(heat) from the sun being
absorbed and emitted into the
atmosphere
• Heat is absorbed and emitted by greenhouse gases

• Greenhouse gases are called greenhouse gases

because they act as a greenhouse to absorb and
trap heat from the sun
 Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse gases trap infrared energy from the sun and
reemit this energy as heat into the atmosphere.

1. Solar radiation enters Earth’s atmosphere as heat energy

2. Earth’s surface absorbs and reflects solar energy
3. Energy is reradiated back into the atmosphere
4. Some energy is released back into space
5. The remaining energy remains trapped
in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases
• This causes global temperatures to
rise
The Greenhouse Effect
Source: EPA Public Domain Image
 Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases in our atmosphere are
important to life on Earth
• Maintain a comfortable temperature on Earth
• Without them, Earth would be too cold for life to exist
• Too few gases = too cool for life
• Too many gases = too warm for life

A small change in global temperature can upset Earth’s

systems and cause changes to climates
• Changes to climate causes challenges for life on Earth
 Greenhouse Gases
Major Greenhouse Gases and Sources
Greenhouse Gas Sources
Carbon dioxide Fossil fuel combustion; deforestation;
CO2 cement production

Methane Fossil fuel production; agriculture;

CH4 landfills

Nitrous oxide Fertilizer application, fossil fuel and

N2O biomass combustion, industrial
processes
 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
from Human Activities
Many human activities contribute to the release of excessive
greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

• Combustion: burning of fossil fuels and organic

matter, such as forests, landfills, and biomass,
releases heavy amounts of carbon dioxide and
other greenhouse gases. Burning fossil fuels for
electricity, industry, and transportation also
releases high amounts of greenhouse gases.

• Deforestation: Forests take in a store carbon

dioxide during photosynthesis. Deforestation, or
removal of forests, causes less carbon dioxide to
be taken out of the atmosphere
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
from Human Activities
• Decomposition: Landfills, organisms, and other
organic wastes release methane and other
greenhouse gases as they decompose

• Agriculture: Livestock, such as cows, release

methane as byproduct of digestion. Manure and
fertilizers also release greenhouse gases

• Industrial Products: Refrigerants, foam-blowing

agents, aerosol propellants, and fire
suppressants release powerful greenhouse
gases called HFCs
Natural Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Greenhouse gases are also naturally emitted from natural
sources.
• Earth has systems in place for keeping a balance of gases
released through natural processes.
• The amount of natural greenhouse emissions is very small
compared to the amount produced through human
activities.
Natural Sources Include:
• Wetland bacteria in anaerobic
conditions
• Volcanic eruptions
• Wildfires
• Sediments and oceans
• Cell respiration
When human activities release excessive greenhouse gases,
heat is trapped in the atmosphere, causing warmer than
average global temperatures.
 Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide is the most abundant greenhouse gas, and it
stays in the atmosphere longer than most greenhouse gases
• Human activities increase atmospheric CO2 level primarily
through the burning of fossil fuels for use in transportation,
heating, and electricity
• Carbon dioxide traps heat and excessive carbon emissions
in the atmosphere are causing the globe to warm drastically

• Carbon dioxide
levels are currently
50% higher than the
pre-industrial era
(1850-1900)
T
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 Global Warming
Global warming is the long-term heating of Earth’s climate
observed since the pre-industrial era (1850-1900) due to
human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning.
• Caused by the increased greenhouse gas emissions that
are released into the atmosphere by human activity
• High greenhouse gas concentrations
T cause global
temperatures to increase
• Since the pre-industrial era, human activities are estimated
to have increased Earth’s global average temperature
about 10C per decade.
GLOBAL WARMING TIME LAPSE
 Effects of Global Warming
Warmer temperatures increase the evaporation rate of
water, causing water vapor gas to enter the atmosphere.

• Warmer bodies of water

evaporate more water vapor
than cooler bodies.
T
• Water vapor magnifies the
effects of other greenhouse
gases, contributing to further
warming
• Increased evaporation
causes increased
precipitation and irregular
weather patterns
 Climate Change
Climate change is a long-term change in the average
weather patterns that define Earth’s regional and global
climate.
• Average change in the climate across the entire globe
• Global warming leads to climate change
T
• Primarily driven by human activities
• Changes can also be caused by
natural processes such as El Nino,
La Nina, volcanic activity, variations
in Earth’s orbit, or changes in solar
energy output.
Causes and Effects of Climate
Change
 Climate Change
Scientists around the globe use observations from the
ground, air, and space, along with models to monitor and
study the past, present, and future of climate change.

Evidence of climate change includes:

• Global land and ocean T
temperature increases
• Sea level rise
• Sea ice loss
• Ocean acidification
• More severe and frequent
weather
 Ocean Acidification
Dissolved carbon dioxide in the ocean undergoes chemical reactions to
produce carbonic acid.
• Lowers pH
• Acidic conditions are
inhospitable and
dangerous for marine
life.
T

BEFORE AFTER

Higher concentrations of carbonic

acid and warmer temperatures
affect the health of marine
ecosystems
 Sea Ice and Glacial Melting
Currently, the Arctic is warming twice as fast as anywhere on
Earth.
• Warming temperatures melt sea ice and glacier at an
alarming rate
• Artic ice cover plays in important role in maintaining Earth’s
temperature and stabilizing weather and ocean patterns
T
 Sea Ice and Glacial Melting
Melting sea ice has many negative effects:
• Warmer air and ocean temperatures
• Disrupted ocean circulation patterns
• Frequent and more severe weather
• Sea levels rise, shoreline erosion, and coastal flooding
T
 Severe Weather
One consequences of warming temperatures is an increase
in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather.

Heat and drought: intensified drought in many areas;

wildfires are more likely to occur in dryer and warmer
conditions
T
Storms and floods: higher frequency and strength of
storms and floods; increased precipitation, destruction
of ecosystems

Snow and frigid weather: there is more moisture in a

warmer atmosphere; when temperatures are below
freezing, snowfall can break records; weakened jet
stream allows frigid polar air to travel farther south
 Human Population Growth
As the growth of the human population on Earth
skyrockets, more and more humans are impacting the
climate
• Consumption of resources and release of waste
products by human activities contributes to climate
change. T

More people =
More greenhouse
gas emissions
T
Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
 The Future of Climate
Never Forget That You Have the Power to
Change the Future!

It’s up to us to do more to
prevent
T further climate
change before it’s too late!

On your handout: List five things that you can

personally do in order to reduce your impact on
the environment and prevent further contribution
of greenhouse gases.
Comprehension Check 1

Compare and
contrast weather
and climate.
Comprehension Check 2

Explain how the

greenhouse
effect works.
Comprehension Check 3

List the causes

of climate
change.
Comprehension Check 4

List evidence of
climate change.
Comprehension Check 5

How does the

melting of sea-
ice impact the
entire planet?
Comprehension Check 6

Describe how
the oceans are
impacted by
global warming.
 Quiz
What is Climate