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“So what started as this really silly, little fun idea ... became my life’s most important work,”
“And I think what I want the song to do is put others on the journey of discovery. I don’t know how this isn’t what everyone is talking about at all times -- literally the earth is like falling apart.”
Main Understandings
Main Understandings
- Carbon dioxide and water vapour are the most significant greenhouse gases
- Other gases including methane and nitrogen oxides have less impact
- The impact of a gas depends on its ability to absorb long wave radiation as well as on its concentration in the atmosphere
- The warmed Earth emits longer wavelength radiation (heat)
- Longer wave radiation is absorbed by greenhouse gases that retain the heat in the atmosphere
- Global temperatures and climate patterns are influenced by concentrations of greenhouse gases
- There is a correlation between rising atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide since the start of the industrial revolution 200 years ago and average global temperatures
- Recent increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide are largely due to increases in the combustion of fossilised organic matter
“Climate change is the single greatest threat to a sustainable future but, at the same time, addressing the climate challenge presents a golden opportunity to promote prosperity, security and a brighter future for all.”
BAN KI-MOON
Secretary General, United Nations
A brilliant resource
Try this!
Quiz to check your understanding of some issues about temperature change and climate
The Greenhouse Effect
The Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is a natural process whereby the atmosphere behaves like a greenhouse to trap and retain heat
- This ensures the Earth maintains the moderate temperatures needed by organisms to maintain life processes (homeostasis)
- Without a greenhouse effect, Earth’s temperatures would drop significantly at night in the absence of direct sunlight
The greenhouse effect functions to trap heat within the atmosphere and hence prevent rapid temperature fluctuations
- Incoming radiation from the sun is shorter wave radiation (ultraviolet radiation and the visible spectrum)
- The surface of the Earth absorbs short wave radiation and re-emits it at a longer wavelength (i.e. infra-red / heat)
- Greenhouse gases absorb and re-radiate this longer wave radiation and hence retain the heat within the atmosphere
- The greater the concentration of a gas, the greater its warming impact will be within the atmosphere
- The concentration of a gas will be determined by both its rate of release and persistence within the atmosphere
Some of the Terrible Effects of Climate Change caused by the Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
Some of the Terrible Effects of Climate Change caused by the Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
- Disease spread – More temperate climates will increase the prevalence and spread of pathogenic vectors (e.g. mosquitos)
- Ice caps melting – Higher temperatures are melting ice caps and reducing permafrosts, releasing detritus trapped in ice
- Extreme weather conditions – Climate change is linked to an increase in extreme weather (e.g. cyclones, tropical storms)
- Extinction – Changing climate will increase competition, leading to a loss of biodiversity and extinction events
- Acidification of oceans – Rising atmospheric CO2 levels contribute to an increase in the acidification of oceans
- Rising sea levels – Global warming is associated with rising sea levels, leading to the displacement of communities
- Temperature increases – Greenhouse gas emissions are linked to an increase in average global temperatures
- Habitat destruction – Changing climate conditions will lead to the destruction of habitats and expansion of temperate species
DIE EARTH
DIE EARTH
For a good overview of Greenhouse effect and Climate Change
Effects of Climate Change as seen from Space
When carbon dioxide dissolves in this ocean, carbonic acid is formed. This leads to higher acidity, mainly near the surface, which has been proven to inhibit shell growth in marine animals and is suspected as a cause of reproductive disorders in some fish.
Although global warming may bring some localized benefits, such as fewer winter deaths in temperate climates and increased food production in certain areas, the overall health effects of a changing climate are likely to be overwhelmingly negative. Climate change affects social and environmental determinants of health – clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter.
In this passionate call to action, 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg explains why, in August 2018, she walked out of school and organized a strike to raise awareness of global warming, protesting outside the Swedish parliament and grabbing the world's attention. "The climate crisis has already been solved. We already have all the facts and solutions," Thunberg says. "All we have to do is to wake up and change."
Fifteen-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg addressed the U.N. plenary last night in Katowice, Poland, condemning global inaction in the face of catastrophic climate change.
Hosted by Emmy-nominated conservation scientist Dr. M. Sanjayan, we explore the surprising elements of our lives that contribute to climate change and the groundbreaking work being done to fight back. Featuring conversations with experts, scientists, thought leaders and activists, the series takes what can seem like an overwhelming problem and breaks it down into manageable parts: from clean energy to food waste, religion to smartphones. Visit http://climate.universityofcalifornia... for more.
You don’t have to go vegan to fight climate change. Research shows that small changes to our diets can make big differences.
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