Transcript File - Sanders School Geography Department

Changing Climate
Detailed Version of Previous Word
Document (It’s Only 3 Pages – Read
it!!!!)
An original Dan Wills presentation, made
for the purpose of helping out the students
in Mr Foleys Class … Enjoy !!!!
Quick Starter …
In 2008 there was a global summit regarding
Global Warming … 193 representatives from the
worlds countries agreed to sign an anti CO2
emissions treaty. There are 195 recognised
countries … Which 2 countries did not sign?
Answer
The USA and China … The USA was under
control by Republican George. W .Bush, he did
not believe in Global Warming so neither did his
supporters.
China on the other hand make far too much
money from the Earth’s natural resources to
care … They also have a very strong communist
government which do not allow talk such as
climate change to reach its people.
The Earths Climate
The previous graph shows how an increase in
CO2 correlates with our temperature … But why
does the temperature shoot up after the 1800’s?
Of course … The Industrial Revolution!
But what is it?
Where Are We Now?
When the temperature drops it is called a glacial
period or an Ice Age. This is when the Earth is
covered in ice.
However, we are in a period of warming … an
interglacial period.
Where Did I Get This From?
This data is generated from fossils and ice cores.
Ice cores are cylinders of ice, obtained by drilling
3km deep into glaciers which are over 500,000
years old!
Natural Causes of Climate Change
• Volcanic Eruptions pump ash and gas into the
atmosphere causing a cooling effect – You
wouldn’t think so would you? If you touched a
pool of lava it would boil your blood and your
finger would be disintegrated instantly.
• Sun Spots: Amount of energy radiated from
the Sun changes over an 11 year cycle.
• Ocean Currents changing can cause cooling
and warming. In the UK, we get our warm air
via the Golf Stream – bringing warm air from
the Caribbean.
• Large asteroid collisions can cause cooling as
massive blocks of material can block out the
sun. Asteroids hitting the Earth can cause
huge fires … Releasing massive amounts of
CO2.
• The Earth’s orbit changes a small amount once
every 10,000 years. These are known as
Milankovitch cycles.
Our Climate
• We live in a temperate maritime climate, cold
winters and warm summers.
• However, even though being on the same
“line” as us they have a Polar Maritime
climate. So apart from the Summer it will
snow, rain and be below freezing.
Quick Question …
Describe what is meant by the
term Ice Age?
Answer
An ice age is a period of long-term
reduction in the temperature of Earth's
surface and atmosphere, resulting in the
presence or expansion of continental and
polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers.
The Little Ice Age
A colder period in Northern Europe starting in
the 1400’s lasting to the mid 19th century.
Crops stopped growing which meant less food
for people … Converse?
The winters were very cold and the summers
short.
Causes and Evidence
• Fewer Sun Spots and volcanic ash. But not by
humans … Why?
• We know this through newspapers, diaries
and tree rings – they are thinner in colder
weather.
Impact on Mega Fauna
Fauna is Animals
Flora is Plants
Mammoths and Sabre tooth Cats could not
adapt to a warmer climate and died.
Quick Question …
Describe one impact of a colder
period?
Answer
When there was a little Ice Age in the
1400’s the growing season was shortened
for crops. People eventually went hungry.
Present and Future Climate Change
• CH4 and CO2 are greenhouse gases linked to
human activity.
• Rise in Greenhouse Gas Emissions match start
of Industrial Revolution.
• Current Levels of CO2 are thought to be at
their highest for 650,000 years.
• Current levels of CH4 are thought to be at their
highest for at least 900,000 years.
• Methane is 21 times more potent than CO2
Methane V Carbon Dioxide
The Greenhouse Effect
• As a country develops, the gases it release
increases.
• More CO2 is produced due to more industry,
transport – petrol is needed, and
deforestation.
• Methane is produced due to an increased
demand for farm animals.
Quick Question
Describe one human activity that is
thought to contribute to climate
change?
Answer
• Burning coal for electricity because it releases
CO2 which is a greenhouse gas linked to global
warming.
The UK Climate
• Our climate is classed as “mild” and geographically
described as having a “temperate maritime” climate.
• We have this climate because of several reasons …
• Latitude affects how much sun the UK gets and how
strong it is in different seasons.
• The North Atlantic Drift keeps us warmer than other
countries of the same latitude.
• Air masses bring weather conditions with them from
where they originated … The UK has 5 air masses.
• Prevailing winds from the Atlantic Ocean in the south
west. They pick up moisture from the sea and bring rain
to the UK
Our Climate Changing …
• Potential changes … average temperature rise, less
predictable rainfall patterns, changing seasons
could include more extreme weather.
• These will happen because … The Gulf stream will
move which will reduce sea temperatures and bring
less rainfall.
• More northern air masses will come down, bringing
more storms and perhaps more extreme cold
weather.
• Paths of depression that bring rainfall may alter.
Using CO2 Levels To Predict Effects Of
Climate Change
• If CO2 concentrations go over 550ppm, global
temperatures could rise by more than 6
degrees Celsius. This could lead to millions of
homes claimed by the sea, Changes to the
worlds weather patterns could lead to
droughts and storms leading to disease and
famine … animals and plant species may not
be able to adapt to the changes.
However …
• If concentrations stay below 550 ppm, the
global temperature will not rise over 2
degrees Celsius. So maybe the sea level will
rise by 1 metre causing coastal flooding,
hurricanes would be more frequent and some
species may become extinct.
Quick Question …
• If the ice caps completely melt, then
the Gulf Stream will switch off …
What will that mean for the UK
climate?
Answer
• Surprisingly, the temperature will not get
hotter … but much colder. We will stop
getting the warm air from the Caribbean
and as we are at the same latitude as
Canada we will get the same weather as
them … So much more days off school!
Environmental Impacts
• Sea Level rise will lead to loss of coastal land and
increased erosion.
• More severe storms and longer summer droughts.
• Changes to fishing industries – out migration.
• Ecosystem change could mean some plant and
animal species move into new areas.
• Warmer temperatures could encourage diseases
like malaria.
Economic Impacts
• An increase in refugees from other countries hit hard
by climate change in UK.
• Warmer weather means that farmers can grow
different crops.
• Hotter summers could increase holidays in the UK, so
less people will use planes.
• Damage to coastal areas in London will be extremely
expensive and disruptive.
• Costs of protecting the coastline will be expensive.
• Housing design might need to be altered so that less
water is wasted and higher temperatures are dealt
with.
Quick Question …
• Describe some possible economic
impacts of climate change on the
UK?
Answer
• Climate change in the UK could cause flooding
in London. This would prevent businesses
making money and it would cost a lot to
repair the flood damage. Climate change
could also mean less rainfall, causing drought.
It would cost money to move water around
the country to supply those who need it.
However, if the climate was warmer, it might
encourage tourism which would make money
for the UK.
Climate Change in Bangladesh
• Environmental Impacts … River Flooding
would become even worse from heavier rains
and sea level rise.
• Tropical storms could become more frequent
and may move further inland, doing more
damage.
• The dry season is already getting longer and
this could cause more droughts.
Economic Impacts
• A small rise in sea level could massively reduce farmland and
agricultural output.
• More river flooding would lead to damage to houses meaning
disruption in economic terms and peoples lives.
• More intense tropical storms spreading inland would mean more
damage to infrastructure.
• Farmers need land to work but Bangladesh has a fast growing
population.
• The cost of protecting homes and businesses from flooding is very
expensive.
• Coastal flooding could make the farmland too salty to grow crops
on.
• Shrimp farming is very important but rising sea temperatures may
damage this form of aquaculture.
• Increased flooding will increase the spread of water borne
diseases.
Just in Case …
You may want to know the effects climate
change has on the Maldives.
• Coral Reefs die.
• Ecosystem associated with reefs will be lost.
• People will be forced to leave home – That’s
400,000 people.
• Traditional ways lost.
• Tourist industry down … bankruptcy possible.