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
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.
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.
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
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!
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
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
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.
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.