4.4 Climate change
Essential idea: Concentrations of gases in the atmosphere affect climates experienced at the Earth’s surface.
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4.4.U 1 Carbon dioxide and water vapour are the most significant greenhouse gases.
4.4.U 1 Carbon dioxide and water vapour are the most significant greenhouse gases.
Be able to:
State the sources of CO2 and water vapor in the atmosphere.
Outline the mechanism by which greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere.
Greenhouse gases absorb and emit long-wave (infrared) radiation, thereby trapping and holding heat within the atmosphere
Greenhouse gases collectively make up less than 1% of the Earth’s atmosphere
Water vapour is created via evaporation of water bodies (e.g. oceans) and transpiration – it is removed via precipitation (rain)
Carbon dioxide is made by cell respiration and burning fossil fuels – it is removed via photosynthesis and absorption by oceans
Guiding Questions
Guiding Questions
Which gases are 'greenhouse gases'?
Do all these gases have an equal effect?
How should a biologist assess claims about climate change?
What are the arguments for and against human causes of climate change?
There has been some heated debate about climate change in recent years. What are the arguments? Who's right?
First listen to David Suzuki's explanation. Does it sound convincing?
To realize how complex the Earth's climate is, watch this video which discusses some of the complex affects which may change the huge but invisible deep ocean currents.
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