Module 5

• Climate


  defined as the average weather condition of the atmosphere over a long time in a particular place. Throughout the history of humankind, climate played an important role in where people have chosen a place they want to settle.
• Weather


  refers to the day to day atmospheric condition of a particular place and time.
• Weather


  if intense, it can destroy houses, properties, vehicles, and agricultural activities and even result in death
• Sun's energy


  known to be the main driver of climate system
• Climate


  The average weather condition of the atmosphere over a long time in a particular place
• Weather


  The day to day atmospheric condition of a particular place and time
• Climate played an important role in where people have chosen a place they want to settle
• Intense weather can destroy houses, properties, vehicles, and agricultural activities and even result in death
• Climate system


  1. Sun emits energy and penetrates the atmosphere

  2. Energy is absorbed or reflected by clouds

  3. Energy enters the earth and brings in heat

  4. Natural processes remove or lose heat

  5. Some heat goes out through the atmosphere back to space

  6. Some heat is absorbed by greenhouse gases and re-emitted back
• Without the aid of greenhouse gasses absorbing and re-emitting heat, life would not be possible on earth
• The earth is not flat and tilted, so the planet's exposure to the sun changes at different latitudes and seasons
• Heat movement


  1. More heat in the middle portion of the earth (equator) than the Polar Regions

  2. Movement of heat from the equator to the poles through the atmosphere and oceans

  3. Rising warm air forces air to drift to the poles at high levels

  4. Cooling air flows in the opposite direction at the surface

  5. Cells develop with rising and sinking air
• Sinking air has high pressure with beautiful weather, while rising air has low pressure with precipitation
• The changing temperature and salinity of seawater is responsible for developing currents in the ocean, like the Gulf Stream
• The Gulf Stream carries warmth to the northwestern of Europe, creating a milder climate distinct to other places with similar latitudes
• Increasing temperature can lead to warming and create an imbalance of the climate system
• Albedo


  The percent of reflected sunlight
• Greenhouse effect


  The process by which infrared radiation is absorbed and re-radiated back to the earth's surface by greenhouse gases instead of going outside the atmosphere
• Greenhouse gases are efficient in absorbing and keeping heat, contributing to the rising of the earth's surface temperature
• For millions of years, the planet's climate has been going through changing cycles from ice ages to periods of warmer times
• It was observed for the last century that there is an unusual rise in global temperature for about 1.2 to 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit
• Scientists around the world point out that the sole responsible for increasing the temperature are anthropogenic activities
• The start of the industrial revolution marked the beginning of intensive human activities such as power plants, factories, and vehicles that depend on fossil fuel burning
• Burning fossil fuels can discharge a gigantic quantity of greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide
• Greenhouse effect


  The process by which infrared radiation is absorbed and re-radiated back to the earth's surface by greenhouse gases instead of going outside the atmosphere
• Greenhouse gases are efficient in absorbing and keeping heat, which can contribute to the rising earth's surface temperature
• According to NASA researches, the ice in the arctic sea had declined by about 10%, which is a fast decrease for only about 30 years
• As developed and developing countries aim for industrialization, an increase in the burning of fossil fuel will not stop
• The level of greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere will continue to rise
• Envi 11: Environmental Science
• Vision


  A globally competitive university for science, technology, and environmental conservation
• Mission


  Development of a highly competitive human resource, cutting-edge scientific knowledge and innovative technologies for sustainable communities and environment
• Shaped the Inter-Agency Committee on Climate Change (IACCC) in May 1991


  To serve as the national coordination mechanism and administrative machinery to implement the country's commitments to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
• Signed the UNFCCC


  June 1992
• Ratified the UNFCCC


  August 2, 1994
• Signed the Kyoto Protocol

  April 15, 1998
• Ratified the Kyoto Protocol


  November 20, 2003
• Republic Act No. 9729: Climate Change Act of 2009 signed


  October 23, 2010
• Climate Change Act of 2009


  An Act Mainstreaming Climate Change into Government Policy Formulations, Establishing the Framework, Strategy and Program on Climate Change, Creating for this Purpose the Climate Change Commission (CCC)
• Climate Change Commission (CCC)

  The sole policy-making body of the government tasked to coordinate, monitor, and evaluate CC programs and action plans attached to the Office of the President