4.4 Climate Change

4.4.1 Carbon dioxide and water vapor are the most significant greenhouse gases .

Greenhouse gases:

•CO2 Carbon Dioxide

•H2O Water vapor

•CH4 Methane

•N2O Nitrous Oxide

•NO Nitric oxide

4.4.2 Methane and nitrogen oxides have less impact

.4.4.3 What makes a good greenhouse gas is the ability to absorb long

wave radiation, and the gases concentration

4.4.4 The warmed Earth emits longer wavelength radiation (heat)

4.4.5 Longer wave radiation is absorbed by greenhouse gases, which retain the heat in the atmosphere.

4.4.6 Global temperatures and climate patterns are influenced by concentrations of greenhouse gases

4.4.7 There is a correlation between rising CO2 levels and average global temperature.

4.4.8 Recent increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide are largely due to increases in the combustion of fossilized organic matter.

•The number one source of carbon emissions as a result of human activity is transport that is based on fossil fuels: cars, trucks, trains and airplanes.•Other human activities that put CO2 into the air include: deforestation, heating with fossil fuels, meat diet, purchasing goods that require long transportation, commuting long distances.

Human activities that contribute to other greenhouse gases: eating meat (methane), burning fossil fuels, using organic fertilizers (nitrogen oxides)

Changes in global sea levels over last 13 years

Threats to coral reefs

Climate change is threatening the Earths coral reefs, can you give reasons why?

Temperature changes

Water depth

pH changes. What is causing the pH change?