PPT describes some basic natural and man-made reasons for climate change.

1. Climate Change
Natural and Man-made Influences

2. Natural Processes that Change Climate
 Volcanic Eruption
 Ocean Circulation
 Solar Activity
 Earth Motions
 CO2 fluctuations (also man-made)
 Ocean acidification (also man-made)

3. Natural Processes that Change Climate
Volcanic Eruptions
 The presence of volcanic
ash, dust, and aerosols
in the air increase the
amount of solar radiation
that is reflected back into
space.
 This causes Earth’s
lower atmosphere to
cool.
 Short- term change

4. Natural Processes that Change Climate
Ocean Circulations
 Changes in ocean circulation also can result in short-
term climate fluctuation
EX: El Niño

5. Natural: Ocean Circulations
El Nino
 Occur when trade
winds weaken off the
coast of South
America
 Now warmer water
creeps toward central
and S. America
 Rainy in North and
South America coasts
 Droughts in Australia
and Indonesia

6. Natural Processes that Change Climate
Solar Activity
 The formation of sunspots appears to correspond
with warm periods in Europe and North America
 Low sunspot activity (Maunder minimum) means
cooler than normal temperatures
 Sunspot link 10 minutes

7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Solar_Cycle_Prediction.gif

8. Natural Processes that Change Climate
Earth Motions
Geographic changes in Earth’s land and
water bodies cause changes in climate:
plate tectonics (slow movement of plates)
Changes in the shape of Earth’s orbit:
more circular, then more elliptical/
100,000-year cycle
Changes in tilt of Earth’s axis affects
global climates/ nutation

9. Natural and Man-made that Change
Climate
CO2 Fluctuations
Changes in plant
growth rates
CO2 levels fall
during the growing
season due to
photosynthesis and
rise in the winter
Burning fossil fuels
increases carbon
dioxide in air

10. Natural and Man-made factors that
Change Climate
Ocean Acidification
Decrease in the ocean’s pH levels in the ocean
/ becomes more acidic. CO2 is absorbed by
the ocean and forms carbonic acid. (more
acidic)
Coral Reefs: High levels of CO2 negatively
affects corals making their shells.
50% of coral reefs have been destroyed
Ocean Acidification
3 min.

11. Human Impact on Climate Changes
 The Greenhouse Effect
 Is a natural warming of both Earth’s
lower atmosphere and Earth’s Surface.
 Major Gases: Water vapor and Carbon
dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides
 Makes life as we know it possible on
Earth
 Animation of Greenhouse effect
 Animation of GHE and Data

12. Human Impact on Climate Changes
 The Greenhouse Effect Cont.
 Humans have added more greenhouse gases to the
atmosphere in the past 200 years.
 Greenhouse Effect clip
 NASA's link

13. Assessment Prompt
1. What are the possible effects of a
volcanic eruption upon weather?
2. Explain the greenhouse effect. Include
a diagram that shows a change in
wave-length.

14. Human-Produced Greenhouse
Gas Levels

15. Human Impact on Climate Changes
Global Warming
As a result of increases in
CO2 as well as other
greenhouse gases, global
temperatures have
increased.
Affects multiple natural
events like the weather
and melting the polar ice
caps.

16. Warming of Climate
Warming of the climate is definitely
occurring and can be observed by the:
Increases in global sea and air
temperatures
Widespread melting of snow
and ice
Rising global sea level
Global Warming and Climate Chang

17. Check for Understanding?
3. Which natural process causes Earth's
lower atmosphere to cool?
4. What corresponds with warm periods
in Europe and North America?
5. What decreases in the ocean to
cause ocean acidification?

18. Agree or Disagree?
6. ____ There are no processes that can
change climate.
7. ____The Greenhouse effect is the
natural warming of Earth’s lower
atmosphere and surface.
8. ____ Global warming is the result of
increased greenhouse gases, like CO2,
being released by humans.

19. Human Impact on Climate Changes
Global Warming
 Global Warming clip
 NASA Global Warming Facts

20. What is the ozone layer?
 The ozone layer is a
layer of gas consisting
of O3 molecules, called
ozone, that forms
when free Oxygen
molecules bond to O2
molecules.

21. So, why is the ozone layer
important to life on Earth?
 The stratospheric ozone
layer completely stops
the penetration of UV-C
rays and eliminates
most of the UV-B rays.
 Therefore, the ozone
layer protects life on
Earth from the harmful
effects of solar radiation
on a daily basis.

22. So what might life be like without
the ozone layer?

23. How are we as humans affecting
the ozone layer?
 Since 1928, Chlorofluorocarbons have
been produced, originally as nonflammable
refrigerants for use in refrigerators, and
eventually for use in fire extinguishers, dry
cleaning agents, pesticides, degreasers,
adhesives, and as propellants for aerosol
products.
 As these CFCs have been released into the
atmosphere, the level of ozone in the
stratosphere has decreased.
 CFCs have an estimated lifespan of more
than 100 years.

24. Assessment Prompts
9. Compare and contrast the
greenhouse effect and global
warming.
10. What is the relationship between
burning fossil fuels and climate
change? Explain.

25. El Nino verses La Nina
El Niño
 Trade winds weaken
 Warm ocean water
replaces offshore cold
water near South
America
 Irregular intervals of
three to seven years
 Wetter than average
winters in NC
La Niña
Normal conditions
between El Nino events
When surface
temperatures in the
eastern Pacific are
colder than average
The southern US is
usually warmer and
dryer in climate

26. Explanation of El Nino
Another look at El Nino

27. Occurs: three to seven years
The warm countercurrents in the Pacific become unusually
strong and replace normally cold offshore waters with warm
equatorial waters.
Characterized by unusually warm ocean surface temperatures
El Nino Southern Oscillation: ENSO

28. Think about it…
Brainstorm what negative effects you
think would be likely to accompany the
rise in temperature, including natural
disasters.
Think about the impacts on weather…
Droughts, floods, mudslides, hurricanes,
typhoons…
El Nino Video

29. Cause and Effect
• El Nino
• Cause: Develop when easterly winds
weaken. Warm surface air creates more
thunderstorms over the central and
eastern Pacific
• Effect: Subtropical jet stream is
energized, storms lead to frequent
mudslides in SO. CAL. And a wet winter
in the Southern US

30. Cause and Effect
• La Nina
• Cause: Stronger than normal trade winds push
warm water farther west
• Effect: Polar jet stream is amplified, brings cold
air to northwest. Subtropical jet stream moves
northward bringing moisture, heavy rains, and
mountain snows to the Pacific Northwest.
El Nino and La Nina
Visualization

31. Human Impact on Climate Changes
Global Warming
 Global Warming clip
 NASA Global Warming Facts

32. Assessment Prompt
11. List 2 natural events that could
contribute to climate change.
12. Describe how humans have
contributed to climate change.
13. Discuss possible occurrences or
events due to global warming and climate
change.

33. Group Project: Concept Map
Create a concept map that shows the
different aspects of what factors impact
climate and what factor cause climate
change. Show the details and
examples of each category.
It should be neat, organized, and well
thought out.
Each person in the group gets the same
grade, so everyone should be working!

34. STOP HERE
The following slides will be view
as a class to review concepts.

35. What’s the difference
between “global warming”
and “climate change”?

36. Difference
GLOBAL WARMING
is the increase of the
Earth’s average
surface temperature
due to a build-up of
greenhouse gases in
the atmosphere.
CLIMATE CHANGE
is a broader term that
refers to long-term
changes in climate,
including average
temperature and
precipitation.

37. Effects of Global Warming
Increased Temperature
Habitat Damage and
Changes in Water Supply
Rising Sea Level

38. What’s the proof that
global warming is taking
place?

39. Portage Glacier
1914 2004
• Alaska
Photos: NOAA Photo Collection and Gary Braasch – WorldViewOfGlobalWarming.org

40. Colorado River
• Arizona
June 2002 Dec 2003

41. Why is global warming
happening?

42. Burning of Fossil Fuels
Pollution from coal,
natural gas, and oil
Pollution from coal,
natural gas, and oil
Pollution from coal,
natural gas, and oil

43. When did global
warming start?

44. Global Atmospheric Concentration of CO2

45. How is global warming
measured?

46. Ice Core DataIce Core Data
COCO22 Measurements Before 1958 - AntarcticaMeasurements Before 1958 - Antarctica

47. CO2 Atmospheric
Measurements
CO2 Measurements Since 1958 – Mauna Loa, Hawaii

48. 2007
Goal:
Reductions in
CO2 Per Year
BillionsofMetricToCarbon

49. 2007
Reductions
in CO2
Per Year
GigatonCarbon
Produce electricity
efficiently
Use electricity
efficiently
Vehicle efficiency
Solar and Wind
Power
Biofuels
Carbon capture
and storage
BillionsofMetricToCarbon
Our Goal

50. What’s being done now to
reduce our emissions?
Solar PowerWind Power Fuel-Efficiency

51. What can you do to helpWhat can you do to help
solve the problem?solve the problem?

52. Simple Things To Do
Turn off your computer or the TV
when you’re not using it.
Take shorter showers. Heating water uses energy.
Keep rooms cool by closing the blinds, shades, or
curtains.
Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
Use compact fluorescent bulbs.

53. Be Bulb Smart—Use
CFLs
Incandescent
Compact
Fluorescent
500 lbs.
of coal
What’s the
difference?
•1,430 lbs. CO2 pollution avoided
•$30 saved

54. Simple Things To Do
Dress lightly when it’s hot instead of turning up
the air conditioning. Or use a fan.
Dress warmly when it’s cold instead of turning
up the heat.
Offer to help your parents keep the air filters on
your AC and furnace clean.
Walk short distances instead of asking for a
ride in the car.
Plant a tree. Recycle.