Climate Change and its Drivers - Revision history

Paulreed: /* Greenhouse Gases */

2012-01-04T17:50:47Z

Greenhouse Gases

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:50, 4 January 2012
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	===Greenhouse Gases===		===Greenhouse Gases===
	The Earth is only capable of sustaining life because of the presence of so-called ‘greenhouse’ gases in its atmosphere. These gases – primarily [[term::carbon dioxide]] (CO2), water vapour (H2O), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and ozone (O3) – act as a blanket and keep the Earth approximately 33 °C warmer than it would otherwise be.		The Earth is only capable of sustaining life because of the presence of so-called ‘greenhouse’ gases in its atmosphere. These gases – primarily [[term::Carbon Dioxide\|carbon dioxide]] (CO2), water vapour (H2O), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and ozone (O3) – act as a blanket and keep the Earth approximately 33 °C warmer than it would otherwise be.

	The figure below illustrates the case for a real greenhouse in very simple terms. The glass is transparent to the relatively short-wavelength incoming radiation from the Sun, which therefore passes through to the ground and warms it. The heat energy re-emitted by the surface, however, is of longer wavelength than that received from the Sun and the glass is not transparent to it – some therefore gets reflected by the glass and the interior of the greenhouse warms up as a result.		The figure below illustrates the case for a real greenhouse in very simple terms. The glass is transparent to the relatively short-wavelength incoming radiation from the Sun, which therefore passes through to the ground and warms it. The heat energy re-emitted by the surface, however, is of longer wavelength than that received from the Sun and the glass is not transparent to it – some therefore gets reflected by the glass and the interior of the greenhouse warms up as a result.

Paulreed: /* Greenhouse Gases */

2012-01-04T17:49:45Z

Greenhouse Gases

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:49, 4 January 2012
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	===Greenhouse Gases===		===Greenhouse Gases===
	The Earth is only capable of sustaining life because of the presence of so-called ‘greenhouse’ gases in its atmosphere. These gases – primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapour (H2O), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and ozone (O3) – act as a blanket and keep the Earth approximately 33 °C warmer than it would otherwise be.		The Earth is only capable of sustaining life because of the presence of so-called ‘greenhouse’ gases in its atmosphere. These gases – primarily [[term::carbon dioxide]] (CO2), water vapour (H2O), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and ozone (O3) – act as a blanket and keep the Earth approximately 33 °C warmer than it would otherwise be.

	The figure below illustrates the case for a real greenhouse in very simple terms. The glass is transparent to the relatively short-wavelength incoming radiation from the Sun, which therefore passes through to the ground and warms it. The heat energy re-emitted by the surface, however, is of longer wavelength than that received from the Sun and the glass is not transparent to it – some therefore gets reflected by the glass and the interior of the greenhouse warms up as a result.		The figure below illustrates the case for a real greenhouse in very simple terms. The glass is transparent to the relatively short-wavelength incoming radiation from the Sun, which therefore passes through to the ground and warms it. The heat energy re-emitted by the surface, however, is of longer wavelength than that received from the Sun and the glass is not transparent to it – some therefore gets reflected by the glass and the interior of the greenhouse warms up as a result.
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	When human activities increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, initially the emission from the atmosphere increases, so the ‘back radiation’ from the atmosphere to the surface increases, tending to warm the surface. Almost every process except incoming solar radiation will potentially change after a period of adjustment. As examples, the increased surface temperature means the amount of surface radiation increases – also, since cloudiness has most probably changed, so too has the amount of solar radiation reflected by clouds. These are just two examples of many potential changes once the climate system has had time to adjust to the forcing		When human activities increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, initially the emission from the atmosphere increases, so the ‘back radiation’ from the atmosphere to the surface increases, tending to warm the surface. Almost every process except incoming solar radiation will potentially change after a period of adjustment. As examples, the increased surface temperature means the amount of surface radiation increases – also, since cloudiness has most probably changed, so too has the amount of solar radiation reflected by clouds. These are just two examples of many potential changes once the climate system has had time to adjust to the forcing


	===References===		===References===

Paulreed at 20:27, 20 December 2011

2011-12-20T20:27:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:27, 20 December 2011
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	Essentailly the Earth receives more energy from the sun at low latitudes so that’s near the equatorand less at the cold Poles. So the atmosphere is heated differentially and gets warmer at the Equator and colder at the Poles. Associated with that are then changes in pressure between the Equator and the Poles and that drives the atmosphere to circulate for the air to move in the atmosphere, that drives thewhole atmospheric circulation. The atmosphere essentially behaves very broadly speaking as a giant heat pump which is continuously trying to move heat away from the Equator and towards the Poles.		Essentailly the Earth receives more energy from the sun at low latitudes so that’s near the equatorand less at the cold Poles. So the atmosphere is heated differentially and gets warmer at the Equator and colder at the Poles. Associated with that are then changes in pressure between the Equator and the Poles and that drives the atmosphere to circulate for the air to move in the atmosphere, that drives thewhole atmospheric circulation. The atmosphere essentially behaves very broadly speaking as a giant heat pump which is continuously trying to move heat away from the Equator and towards the Poles.

	The other term::Climate forcings]] is volcanic activity because volcanic eruptions release large quantities of gases and particles into the atmosphere where they’re very good at backscattering the solar radiation that’s coming from the sun. So sunlight from the sun gets backscattered by the particles that volcanic eruptions put into the atmosphere. So generally speaking these lead to a cooling of the climate system although their effect is relatively short lived.		The other [[term::Climate forcings]] is volcanic activity because volcanic eruptions release large quantities of gases and particles into the atmosphere where they’re very good at backscattering the solar radiation that’s coming from the sun. So sunlight from the sun gets backscattered by the particles that volcanic eruptions put into the atmosphere. So generally speaking these lead to a cooling of the climate system although their effect is relatively short lived.

	The most talked about way in which climate can be altered is the way that mankind is affecting the composition of the atmosphere by		The most talked about way in which climate can be altered is the way that mankind is affecting the composition of the atmosphere by

Paulreed at 20:26, 20 December 2011

2011-12-20T20:26:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:26, 20 December 2011
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	*the [[term::geosphere]] – rock, soil and the land surface		*the [[term::geosphere]] – rock, soil and the land surface

	Trees and other plants use carbon dioxide to live and grow. Hence they are important in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, that is, they form a carbon sink. When areas of forest are removed (`deforestation'), this carbon sink is removed and amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide will remain higher than they otherwise would have been		Trees and other plants use carbon dioxide to live and grow. Hence they are important in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, that is, they form a [[term::carbon sink]]. When areas of forest are removed (`deforestation'), this carbon sink is removed and amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide will remain higher than they otherwise would have been

	Essentailly the Earth receives more energy from the sun at low latitudes so that’s near the equatorand less at the cold Poles. So the atmosphere is heated differentially and gets warmer at the Equator and colder at the Poles. Associated with that are then changes in pressure between the Equator and the Poles and that drives the atmosphere to circulate for the air to move in the atmosphere, that drives thewhole atmospheric circulation. The atmosphere essentially behaves very broadly speaking as a giant heat pump which is continuously trying to move heat away from the Equator and towards the Poles.		Essentailly the Earth receives more energy from the sun at low latitudes so that’s near the equatorand less at the cold Poles. So the atmosphere is heated differentially and gets warmer at the Equator and colder at the Poles. Associated with that are then changes in pressure between the Equator and the Poles and that drives the atmosphere to circulate for the air to move in the atmosphere, that drives thewhole atmospheric circulation. The atmosphere essentially behaves very broadly speaking as a giant heat pump which is continuously trying to move heat away from the Equator and towards the Poles.

	The other ~~climate forcing~~ is volcanic activity because volcanic eruptions release large quantities of gases and particles into the		The other term::Climate forcings]] is volcanic activity because volcanic eruptions release large quantities of gases and particles into the atmosphere where they’re very good at backscattering the solar radiation that’s coming from the sun. So sunlight from the sun gets backscattered by the particles that volcanic eruptions put into the atmosphere. So generally speaking these lead to a cooling of the climate system although their effect is relatively short lived.
	atmosphere where they’re very good at backscattering the solar radiation that’s coming from the sun. So sunlight from the sun gets
	backscattered by the particles that volcanic eruptions put into the atmosphere. So generally speaking these lead to a cooling of the climate system although their effect is relatively short lived.

	The most talked about way in which climate can be altered is the way that mankind is affecting the composition of the atmosphere by		The most talked about way in which climate can be altered is the way that mankind is affecting the composition of the atmosphere by
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	* Melting of glaiciers that raise sea level		* Melting of glaiciers that raise sea level

	===Changes in differential heating (latitudinal/longitudinal===		===Changes in differential heating (latitudinal/longitudinal)===
	* Changes in tracks of weather patterns such as the Gulf Stream		* Changes in tracks of weather patterns such as the Gulf Stream
	===Changes in solar output===		===Changes in solar output===

Paulreed: /* = */

2011-06-17T15:47:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:47, 17 June 2011
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	When human activities increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, initially the emission from the atmosphere increases, so the ‘back radiation’ from the atmosphere to the surface increases, tending to warm the surface. Almost every process except incoming solar radiation will potentially change after a period of adjustment. As examples, the increased surface temperature means the amount of surface radiation increases – also, since cloudiness has most probably changed, so too has the amount of solar radiation reflected by clouds. These are just two examples of many potential changes once the climate system has had time to adjust to the forcing		When human activities increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, initially the emission from the atmosphere increases, so the ‘back radiation’ from the atmosphere to the surface increases, tending to warm the surface. Almost every process except incoming solar radiation will potentially change after a period of adjustment. As examples, the increased surface temperature means the amount of surface radiation increases – also, since cloudiness has most probably changed, so too has the amount of solar radiation reflected by clouds. These are just two examples of many potential changes once the climate system has had time to adjust to the forcing

	~~===~~

	===References===		===References===

Paulreed: /* The radiation balance at the top of the atmosphere is essentially a balance among three things */

2011-06-17T15:46:39Z

The radiation balance at the top of the atmosphere is essentially a balance among three things

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:46, 17 June 2011
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	atmospheric window.		atmospheric window.

	===The radiation balance at the top of the atmosphere is essentially a balance among three things ===		===The radiation balance at the top of the atmosphere is essentially a balance among three things===
	The incoming solar radiation (i) is balanced by the sum of the outgoing long wave radiation from the Earth/atmosphere system (ii) and the solar radiation that is reflected by clouds, aerosol, and the surface (iii).		The incoming solar radiation (i) is balanced by the sum of the outgoing long wave radiation from the Earth/atmosphere system (ii) and the solar radiation that is reflected by clouds, aerosol, and the surface (iii).

			===Greenhouse Gases===
			The Earth is only capable of sustaining life because of the presence of so-called ‘greenhouse’ gases in its atmosphere. These gases – primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapour (H2O), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and ozone (O3) – act as a blanket and keep the Earth approximately 33 °C warmer than it would otherwise be.

			The figure below illustrates the case for a real greenhouse in very simple terms. The glass is transparent to the relatively short-wavelength incoming radiation from the Sun, which therefore passes through to the ground and warms it. The heat energy re-emitted by the surface, however, is of longer wavelength than that received from the Sun and the glass is not transparent to it – some therefore gets reflected by the glass and the interior of the greenhouse warms up as a result.

			[[File:greenhouse.png]]

			When human activities increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, initially the emission from the atmosphere increases, so the ‘back radiation’ from the atmosphere to the surface increases, tending to warm the surface. Almost every process except incoming solar radiation will potentially change after a period of adjustment. As examples, the increased surface temperature means the amount of surface radiation increases – also, since cloudiness has most probably changed, so too has the amount of solar radiation reflected by clouds. These are just two examples of many potential changes once the climate system has had time to adjust to the forcing

	===		===

Paulreed: /* References */

2011-06-17T12:48:48Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:48, 17 June 2011
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	===References===		===References===
	[[File:componentsoftheclimatesystem.pdf\|Components of the Climate System]]		*[[File:componentsoftheclimatesystem.pdf\|Components of the Climate System]]
	[[File:themaindriversofclimate.pdf\|The Main Drivers of Climate]]		*[[File:themaindriversofclimate.pdf\|The Main Drivers of Climate]]

	__SHOWFACTBOX__		__SHOWFACTBOX__

	[[Category:Climate Change]]		[[Category:Climate Change]]

Paulreed: /* Changes in solar output */

2011-06-17T12:47:59Z

Changes in solar output

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:47, 17 June 2011
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	* Increase snow melt reflects less heat back causing further warming		* Increase snow melt reflects less heat back causing further warming

	===Changes ~~ibn~~ land use- e.g deforestation		===Changes in land use- e.g deforestation===
	* impacts carbon sink		* impacts carbon sink
	* impacts solar radiation and reflection		* impacts solar radiation and reflection

Paulreed at 12:46, 17 June 2011

2011-06-17T12:46:50Z

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 Despite its huge complexity Climate Change components can be broken down in to smaller constituent parts and more readily understood
-[[File:componentsofclimatechange.jpg]]
+[[File:componentsofclimatechange.png]]
 The climate system is often considered to consist of five main sections:
@@ Line 41: / Line 41: @@
 ===Changes in differential heating (latitudinal/longitudinal===
-* Changes in tracks of weather patterns such as the continental drift
+* Changes in tracks of weather patterns such as the Gulf Stream
 ===Changes in solar output===
 * Increase snow melt reflects less heat back causing further warming
@@ Line 61: / Line 60: @@
 * Increased ozone which is a pollutant in the troposphere
 * Suplate and aerosols can cause back scattering which cool atmosphere
 ===
 ===References===
 [[File:componentsoftheclimatesystem.pdf|Components of the Climate System]]
 __SHOWFACTBOX__
 [[Category:Climate Change]]

Paulreed: /* References */

2011-06-17T00:44:37Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:44, 16 June 2011
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	[[File:componentsoftheclimatesystem.pdf\|Components of the Climate System]]		[[File:componentsoftheclimatesystem.pdf\|Components of the Climate System]]

	~~__SHOWFACTOX__~~		__SHOWFACTBOX__

	[[Category:Climate Change]]		[[Category:Climate Change]]