climate change

• Orbital Changes


  Changes in how the Earth orbits the sun, occurring every 100,000 years, affecting the amount of solar energy the earth's surface receives.
• Solar Output


  Variations in the sun's energy output, with sunspots influencing temperature changes on Earth, typically occurring every 11 years.
• Volcanic Activity


  Major volcanic eruptions releasing ash into the atmosphere, blocking solar radiation and reducing the temperature on Earth.
• Asteroid Collisions


  Events leading to cooling periods by releasing ash/dust particles into the atmosphere, blocking or absorbing solar radiation.
• Tree Rings


  Wider growth rings indicating warmer and wetter conditions, providing evidence of past climate change.
• Ice Cores


  Samples from Greenland and Antarctica showing historical levels of CO2, offering evidence of past climate change.
• Greenhouse Effect


  Greenhouse gases retain heat from the Sun that would otherwise be reflected from Earth back into space, essential for maintaining Earth's temperature to support life.
• Enhanced Greenhouse Effect


  Increased levels of CO2 from human activities reduce the environment's ability to absorb it, leading to a rise in greenhouse gases and global warming.
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)


  A greenhouse gas associated with burning fossil fuels like gas, coal, and oil, contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change.
• Nitrous Oxide


  A greenhouse gas produced by jet engines, fertilizers, and sewage farms, contributing to global warming.
• Methane


  A greenhouse gas produced by activities like cattle farming and deforestation, contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change.
• Sea Level Changes


  Rising temperatures cause water to expand and ice caps to melt, leading to rising sea levels, a significant consequence of climate change.
• Global/Atmospheric Circulation


  System transferring heat globally with three circulation cell types
• Low Pressure


  Created by rising warm air, leading to more precipitation
• High Pressure


  Resulting from sinking cool, dry air with clear skies and arid conditions
• Equator


  Receives most radiation due to direct sun rays and high temperatures
• Poles


  Receive least radiation due to low angle of sun rays and colder temperatures
• Coriolis Effect


  Deflection of winds due to Earth's rotation, right in the Northern Hemisphere and left in the Southern Hemisphere
• Jet Streams


  Fast, narrow air currents influencing weather patterns at circulation cell boundaries
• Oceanic Currents


  Transfer heat globally, driven by surface winds and cold, salty water sinking in polar regions