Climate Change
SCI-106
About the Instructor
Instructor: Rahim Ullah ‘Shinwari’
Division of Science , Technology and Mathematics
MSc ( Physics )
BSc ( Bachelor of Science )
B.Ed. (Bachelor in Education )
Joined AUAF in Jan 2020
Introduction To Course
Climate change Seminar
What is climate?
Climate variables
The role of the sun’s energy
Climate change mitigation and adaptation
Carbon footprint
What physical, chemical, and biological processes control climate?
How has earth’s climate varied since the formation of the planet, and why?
How has climate been varying on human time scales, and why?
How might climate change in the future?
Course Outcomes
Specific course objectives include:
To convey to students an appreciation for the complexity and functioning of
the earth’s climate systems.
To acquaint students with contemporary climate issues.
To examine the effects of human activities on climate.
To empower students to think critically about climate science and how decisions
about carbon emissions and other human activities might impact future climate
Everyday Science Seminar
This course covers
o Weather Vs Climate
o Climate Variables
o Erath’s Energy Budget
o Earth’s Climate System
o Green House Gases
o Climate change Mitigation
o Climate change Adoptation
o Consequences of climate change
o Carbon foot print etc.
Test Yourself/ Assessment
Type Explanation Contribution to
the total Grades
Attendance Attendance is compulsory and taken every class. Students are expected to Formative, no
Join class on time grade attached
Participation/ Active Participation during live session activity and Edpuzzle 20%
Graded Discussion
Presentation/ Project + Presentation 20%
projects
Quizzes includes 4 Quizzes, 2 before and 2 after midterm exam. 20%
Midterm (Quiz ) It includes all the topics covered till midterm 10%
Assignments 2 Assignments in total 10%
Oral Exam Oral comprehensive assessment 20%
Weather vs Climate?
Weather vs Climate?
It is going rain a lot this week in Herat.
Herat is normally dry in Summer.
Weather vs Climate?
oIt is hot and dry in these two days in Jalal Abad.
oJalal Abad is rainy and humid in fall.
Weather Vs Climate
What is weather
o Short term condition of the atmosphere.
o Include the changes that occurs within
the atmosphere and troposphere.
o These changes are mostly caused by
unequal heating by solar radiation
( sunlight ) of the earth’s landmasses ,
ocean , and atmosphere
What is Climate ?
Climate is an average weather condition over a long period of time.
o Climate is the long-term pattern of weather in a particular area.
o Weather can change from hour-to-hour, day-to-day, month-to-month
or even year-to-year.
o A region's weather patterns, usually tracked for at least 30 years, are
considered its climate
( Precipitation, wind patterns ,humidity , air pressure )
Measuring Climate
Measuring Climate
The climate of a particular region is determined through analysis of
Climatological variables in a region over a period of 30-years or
greater.
The parameters measured include:
▫ Temperature (maximum, minimum, lower ground and soil)
▫ Wind speed
▫ Relative humidity
▫ Rainfall ( precipitation)
▫ Atmospheric pressure
▫ Sunshine hours
What are climate/weather variables?
Temperature: temperature is the degree of hotness of a matter.
Air surface temperature: is the surface temperature usually
measured in degree Celsius.
According to NOAA's 2021 Annual Climate Report
the combined land and ocean temperature has increased at
an average rate of 0.14 degrees Fahrenheit ( 0.08 degrees
Celsius) per decade since 1880; however, the average rate of
increase since 1981 has been more than twice as fast: 0.32 °F
(0.18 °C) per decade
What are climate/weather variables?
Precipitation: In meteorology, precipitation is any product of the condensation of atmospheric
water vapor that falls under gravitational pull from clouds.
Rain and snow are the two very common types of precipitation.
Climate change can affect the intensity and frequency of precipitation.
Warmer oceans increase the amount of water that evaporates into the air. When more
moisture-laden air moves over land or converges into a storm system, it can produce
more intense precipitation—for example, heavier rain and snow storms.
What are climate/weather variables?
Humidity: is the concentration of water vapor present in the air.
Absolute humidity is expressed as either mass of water vapor
per volume of moist air (in grams per cubic meter) or as mass of
water vapor per mass of dry air (usually in grams per kilogram).
Higher humidity results in wetter feeling air. Clouds are
formed as hot water vapor rises in the atmosphere and is cooled
and condensed. Higher water vapor content means clouds that
could produce rain.
What are climate/weather variables?
Surface Wind: surface wind (speed (km/h) and direction) is also an important
climate variable.
The main cause of wind is
differential heating, or the difference in temperature between
different areas.
As carbon dioxide levels rise and the Earth's poles warm,
researchers are predicting a decline in the planet's wind speeds.
This 'stilling' could impact wind energy production and plant growth and
might even affect the Gulf Stream, which drives much of the world's
climate
What are climate/weather variables?
Sunshine Hours
Sunshine duration is the length of time that the ground
surface is irradiated by direct solar radiation (i.e., sunlight
reaching the earth's surface directly from the sun).
The Sun is a giver of life; it helps keep the planet warm enough for us to
survive.
Sunshine duration is the climatic factor of importance affecting production of
flowers and bolls.
What are climate/weather variables?
Atmospheric pressure is a force of dry air exerted on a particular
place/surface.
Changes in air pressure could have a big effect on climate.
Air pressure controls the atmosphere's circulation, and therefore
influences how moisture moves.
Changes in circulation can alter rainfall, temperature, winds and
storminess,.
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