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Climate

Climate. Climate vs Weather. Weather = current state of atmosphere Climate Long term variation in weather patterns and weather measurements Includes temperature, precipitation, wind, … Measured over 30 years or more. What’s normal, anyway?. Normal Average of long term measurements

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Climate

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  1. Climate

  2. Climate vs Weather • Weather = current state of atmosphere • Climate • Long term variation in weather patterns and weather measurements • Includes temperature, precipitation, wind, … • Measured over 30 years or more

  3. What’s normal, anyway? • Normal • Average of long term measurements • Issues • Only apply to location of measurement (usually an airport) • Averages, not meant for describing daily conditions (although we do!)

  4. Causes of Climate • Latitude • Tropics (near equator) • Temperate (middle zone, not quite 30o to 60o) • Polar (near poles) • Topography • Water • Elevation • Air masses

  5. Koeppen Climate Classification • Based On • Monthly temperatures • Monthly precipitation • Local vegetation • Categories • Six main • 2 – 3 subcategories for each • http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/weatherandclimatechange/resourcebank/videos/video_tcm4598369.asp • http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/weatherandclimatechange/resourcebank/videos/video_tcm4598369.asp

  6. World Climate Map

  7. Tropical Climates High temperatures Wet – rainforest Wet & Dry – savannah (grasslands) http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/weatherandclimatechange/resourcebank/videos/video_tcm4598384.asp

  8. Arid Climates • 30% of land • Little precipitation • Little vegetation • Arid – deserts • Semi arid – steppes (more humid) http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/weatherandclimatechange/resourcebank/videos/video_tcm4598367.asp

  9. World Climate Map

  10. Mild Climates • Humid subtropical • Southeastern US • Warm, muggy summers • Dry, cool winters

  11. Mild Climates • Mediterranean • Italy and Spain • Warm temperatures • Warm coastal waters http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/weatherandclimatechange/resourcebank/videos/video_tcm4598370.asp

  12. Mild Climates • Marine west coast • Mild winters • Cool summers • Lots of precipitation

  13. World Climate Map

  14. Continental Climates • Rapid changes in weather • Extreme summer and winter weather • Wetter in summer • 3 sub types • Warm summer • Cool summer • Subartic

  15. Polar Climates • Coldest region on Earth • Little precipitation http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/weatherandclimatechange/resourcebank/videos/video_tcm4598374.asp

  16. High Elevation Climates • Similar to polar • Low temperature due to elevation, not latitude http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/weatherandclimatechange/resourcebank/videos/video_tcm4598371.asp

  17. World Climate Map

  18. Microclimates • Small area within a region that has a different climate from the rest of the area • Mountain tops vs valleys • Heat islands within cities • Concrete and asphalt absorb energy, raising temperature compared to other areas

  19. Introduction to Climate Change http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/weatherandclimatechange/resourcebank/videos/video_tcm4598372.asp

  20. What will you do?

  21. Causes of Climate Change • Nature • Long-term • Short-term • Human Activities

  22. Natural Causes – Long Term • Ice Ages • World wide temp drops by ~ 5o C • Glaciers grow and expand toward equator • Most recent ice age: 60,000 to 20,000 years ago http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qghs8DPFco http://www.redorbit.com/news/video/education_1/1112753141/what-is-an-ice-age2/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdK6zbPnHw4 http://geology.utah.gov/surveynotes/gladasked/gladice_ages.htm http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo/ctl/100k.html

  23. Earth ~10,000 years ago

  24. Natural Causes – Long Term • Solar Activity • Maunder minimum • “Little Ice Age” • 1600 – 1800 http://www.eh-resources.org/timeline/timeline_lia.html

  25. Natural Causes – Long Term • Orbital shape shifts • Circle to ellipse • Earth “wobbles” • North star changes • now – Polaris • then – Vega • 26,000 year cycle

  26. Natural Causes – Short Term • Earth’s Tilt • seasons • El Nino • Warm Pacific current • Shifts normal weather patterns in South America & US • Volcanoes • Ash and dust • Lowers temperatures

  27. How Humans Impact Climate • What do you think? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v-w8Cyfoq8 Bill Nye http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnfkbaRXl_0 TN weather http://www.globalchange.gov/resources/educators/toolkit/video

  28. Greenhouse Effect • Natural heating of Earth’s surface • Atmospheric gases absorb Sun’s heat • Carbon dioxide (CO2) **** • Water (H2O) • Methane (CH4) • Nitrous oxide (N2O) http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/unit/text.php?unit=2&secNum=4

  29. Humans & the Atmosphere • Air pollution • Factories / cars • Carbon dioxide • Acid rain

  30. Humans & the Atmosphere • Deforestation • Less carbon dioxide removed • Chlorofluorocarbon • CFCs • Ozone hole

  31. Global Warming • Is the Earth really getting hotter? • Yes • Over the past 50 years, the average surface temperature has increased faster than anytime in recorded history. http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/f101.asp http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/basics/ • Which countries causes the most damage? • China • United States • Russia • India • Japan http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/science/each-countrys-share-of-co2.html

  32. Potential Changes

  33. How can you help? • Reduce, reuse, recycle • Change your thermostat • Use CFL bulbs • Plan your driving • Plant a tree

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