tropical storms and climate change

• Tropical Storm Formation

  1. Warm air from the surroundings moves into the low pressure area and rises

  2. Warm air rises and eventually cools, causing condensation and formation of thunderstorm clouds

  3. The whole system spins due to the Coriolis effect, clockwise in the southern hemisphere and anticlockwise in the northern hemisphere it moves clockwise. 4.The storm develops an eye in the centre. The centre has low pressure with cool and calm air. The eye wall has intense and powerful pressure.
• The constant additions of energy from the warm air causes the storm to spin faster and generate higher wind speeds
• Category 1 tropical storm

  Wind speeds of at least 75 mph
• Eye of the storm

  • An area of extremely low pressure where cool, dry air descends
  • The weather within the eye is relatively calm and cloud free
• Eyewall


  • The most intense and powerful area of the storm
  • Warm, moist air rapidly rises here, with extremely high winds and torrential rain
• Storm reaching land

  1. Storm loses energy as it no longer has a supply of warm, moist air from the sea

  2. The eye eventually collapses and the storm dissipates

  3. Heavy rain can persist for days
• Storm surge

  A large amount of sea water pushed onto the coast due to the low pressure and high winds
• Satellites and aircraft are used to monitor storms, and computer models calculate the predicted track
• Warnings allow people to evacuate or protect their homes
• New developments avoid high risk areas, and emergency services train and prepare
• Building design and flood defences reduce the number of buildings destroyed and injuries/deaths
• Natural factors causing climate change

  • Orbital changes
  • Volcanic activity
  • Solar output
• Human causes of climate change

  • Use of fossil fuels
  • Agriculture
  • Deforestation
• Effects of climate change on people include increased death rate, migration, water stress, and lower crop yields
• Effects of climate change on the environment include shrinking glaciers, rising sea levels, coral reef bleaching, and more extreme weather events
• Evidence for climate change

  • Pollen analysis
  • Photos
  • Ice cores
  • Tree rings
  • Temperature records
• Causes of climate change

  • Natural factors
  • Human causes
• Orbital changes


  1. Changes in the pathway of the Earth around the Sun over 96,000 years from circular to elliptical

  2. During the circular rotation the earth is closer to the sun and so the climate is warmer
• Volcanic activity


  Large volcanic eruptions emit ash/gases into the atmosphere which reflect the sun's radiation back out to space and reduces temperature on Earth for short periods of time (volcanic winters)
• Solar output


  The sun's output of energy changes on a 11 year cycle. When solar output increases the Earth experiences warmer climates
• Use of fossil fuels


  CO2 is released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burnt. This occurs with cars, factories and to make electricity
• Agriculture


  • Farming of livestock produces lots of methane and we now eat more meat
  • Rice farming also releases methane and is a core food in many cultures
• Deforestation


  • Plants remove CO2 from the atmosphere and convert it to organic matter using photosynthesis. When we cut down trees we stop them absorbing more CO2
  • If trees are burnt for fuel or to clear land for farming they release CO2 into the atmosphere
• Effects of climate change

  • On people
  • Environment
• Effects on people


  • Death rate has increased (some due to heat, some due to cold)
  • Migration vital from low lying areas
  • Water stress increases (political tension)
  • Lower crop yields (malnutrition)
  • High damage costs from more storms
  • Higher temperatures bring an economic boost to some areas (hotter more tourism, countries at high latitude- farms grow more)
• Effects on environment


  • Glaciers shrink, ice caps melt
  • Sea levels rise. 82cm by 2100
  • Coastal erosion increases
  • Coral reefs suffer bleaching
  • Biodiversity may decrease
  • More extreme weather events (storms, fires)
• Poor countries tend to suffer the most as they do not have the money to adapt effectively to climate change. Often located in more vulnerable areas
• Mitigation strategies


  • International agreements
  • Planting trees
  • Alternative energy production
  • Carbon capture and storage
• International agreements


  • 1997 Kyoto Protocol Countries agreed to monitor and cut GHG emissions. UK's target was to cut emissions by 12.5% by 2012 (surpassed it at 22%)
  • 2015 Paris Agreement. 196 countries
• Planting trees


  Increases the amount of carbon dioxide that is absorbed from the atmosphere through photosynthesis
• Alternative energy production


  Replace fossil fuels with nuclear power and renewable energy to reduce GHG emissions. The UK is building more offshore windfarms and offering grants for people installing solar panels
• Carbon capture and storage

  New technology which captures CO2 from power stations burning fossil fuels and transports it to places it can be stored safely underground
• Adaptation strategies


  • Changes in agricultural systems
  • Managing water supply
  • Reducing risk from rising sea levels
• Changes in agricultural systems

  Rainfall unreliable, temperatures + Drought resistant crops can be used i.e. millet in Kenya. Some countries are changing to grow different crops ie peaches and grapes in southern UK
• Managing water supply


  Dry areas getting drier-water shortages. Collect rainwater, recycle waste water. Water meters installed to cut use
• Reducing risk from rising sea levels

  Expected to rise by 82cm in 2100. Flood barriers can be built. Cheaper options-earth embankments and building houses on stilts