Topic: Effects of the Atmosphere on Insolation

Topic: Effects of the Atmosphere on Insolation

Sun Earth s Atmosphere 100 Units 34% reflected by atmosphere and surface 19% absorbed by the atmosphere 47% absorbed at surface

Peconic Herb Farm Greenhouse Greenhouse Effect

Space Visible Light short wavelength Earth s atmosphere Infrared Long Wavelengths Greenhouse Gases Gases trap infrared energy in the atmosphere, warming it Absorbed at the surface Earth radiates heat energy back

Earth s atmosphere greenhouse gases trap the infrared radiation.

Earth s temperature With greenhouse effect 15 C (58 F) Without greenhouse effect -18 C (0 F)

Pollution Volcano Fire Ocean Spray Dust Development

1816 -The year without a summer In April of 1815, the volcano Tambora erupted. It was believed to be one of the most explosive eruptions within 10,000 years. 150 tons of dust went into the atmosphere and slowly moved around the world. The dust blocked incoming solar radiation from the sun and cooled the earth. The northern states were effected more than the southern states. In New York there were frosts in every month of the year and snow occurred in June.

Aerosols Small solids or liquids suspended in air. Insolation is reflected or scattered. Insolation on surface reduced Earth cools.

Clouds

Reflection on the top of clouds

Cloudy Days

Cloudy Nights Infrared energy radiated back at night Clouds trap the energy making the night warmer

Clouds Day: clouds reflect light back to space Cooler surface temps Night: Clouds trap infrared energy radiated by Earth Warmer nights

Final Questions: What electromagnetic energy does the Earth mainly absorb during the day? Which energy is radiated back at night?

Global Warming: The Greatest Threat 2006 Deborah L. Williams The Greatest Threat Climate change is the most severe problem that we are facing today. Sir David King Former Chief Scientist for the UK Government Photo The Age, Melbourne. All rights reserved Photo: Amanda Byrd/Canadian Ice Service

The Greatest Threat Things are getting desperate enough now that we need to throw away our conservatism and just act. Dr. Terry Chapin, UAF Photo: Corel Corp., Courtesy of www.exzooberance com

Global Warming: The Greatest Threat 2006 Deborah L. Williams Case Closed We believe that the science is quite compelling and that climate change is certainly attributed to human activity and to the substantial use of fossil fuels. ConocoPhillips April 2007 When 98% of scientists agree, who is Shell to say, let s debate the science [about global warming]? Shell Oil November 2006 Recognizing the risk of climate change, we are taking actions to improve efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our operations. Exxon Mobil December 2006

Global Warming: The Greatest Threat 2006 Deborah L. Williams Global Warming Basics Greenhouse gases (e.g. carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, CFC s) trap heat in the earth s atmosphere. Greenhouse gases in atmosphere Solar energy passes through Radiant heat is trapped Science understood since 1859 - John Tyndall Diagrams: Jennifer Allen Diagrams Jennifer Allen

Global Warming: The Greatest Threat 2006 Deborah L. Williams CO 2 : The Most Significant Greenhouse Pollutant Burning carbon-containing fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide C + O 2 CO 2 (Combustion)

NOAA Temperature Measurements Top 11 warmest years on record have all occurred in the last 12 years (IPCC 2007) 2006 was warmest year on record in continental US (NOAA 1/07) 2007 was warmest year on record in North America (NOAA 1/08) 2008 eighth warmest year on record (National Climatic Data Center).

What do these pollutants do? Global Fever Greenhouse gases make the Earth too hot, just like: > sleeping under a heavy blanket in the summertime > wearing a parka that is too thick Our atmospheric blanket or parka is over 37% thicker than it used to be Thinner blanket is just right. Thicker blanket traps too much heat.

Global Warming: The Greatest Threat 2006 Deborah L. Williams Melting Sea Ice 39% smaller than average Ice 53% thinner in region of North Pole between 2001 and 2007 (NOAA Report Card 2008) Ice only 3 feet thick in most locations (NOAA FAQ, 2007) In September 2007 an area the size of Florida (69,000 square miles) melted in six days (NSIDC 2007) Humpback whales spotted in Arctic Ocean for first time in 2007

Glacial Retreat Alaska s Columbia Glacier has decreased by about 9 miles since 1980 and thinned by as much as 1,300 feet (Science 7/07) Gulf of Alaska Glaciers losing 84 gigatons of ice mass annually, contributing nearly half as much freshwater melt as Greenland and 15% of present day global sea level rise from melting ice (NASA 2008)

Permafrost Thawing All the Observatories show a substantial warming during the last 20 years, causing permafrost to melt at an unprecedented rate. (State of the Arctic 2006) Consequences: Vladimir Romanovsky photo Damage to infrastructure, lakes, rivers, and forests Rising sea levels Release of stored carbon (methane and CO 2 )

Animals at Risk Polar bears Walruses Black guillemots Arctic grayling Kittiwakes Ice seals Salmon Caribou Rising temperatures Shrinking habitat Food harder to get Expanding diseases Competition

Coral Bleaching Corals damaged by higher water temperatures and acidification Higher water temperatures cause bleaching: corals expel zooxanthellae algae Corals need the algae for nutrition Healthy staghorn coral Bleached staghorn coral (algae expelled)

Global Warming: The Greatest Threat 2006 Deborah L. Williams Robert Puschendorf Cataclysmic Global Consequences Florida Areas Subject to Inundation With a 100 cm Sea Level Rise Massive extinctions: Over 1 million species threatened with extinction (Dr. Chris Thomas and Nature, 2004) Ocean acidification Hurricanes, droughts, extreme weather Increase in human death and disease Coral reef destruction Coastal inundation Harlequin frog ACIA 2004 ACIA 2004 Photo Robert Puschendorf All rights reserved

Inundation Inundation from Four Meter Sea Level Rise (or 1m rise + 3m storm surge) Weiss and Overpeck, 2006

What we can do? Reduce CO 2 Wind and solar power Energy efficient appliances and lights Carpool Clean technology

Neil degrasse Tyson on Climate Change and Global Warming Greenhouse Effect on Venus helps discover greenhouse effect on Earth On the Bill Maher Show vs. former GM Exec Bob Lutz

Copy the following questions and answers

1. On a clear day, which type of electromagnetic radiation will pass most easily through the Earth s atmosphere? 1. Terrestrial radiation 2. Infrared radiation 3. Ultraviolet light 4. Visible light

2. If dust particles are added to the atmosphere, the amount of insolation reaching the ground will probably: 1. Decrease 2. Increase 3. Remain the same

3. Ozone is important to life on Earth because ozone: 1. Cools refrigerators and air-conditioners 2. Absorbs energy that is reradiated by Earth 3. Absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation 4. Destroys excess atmospheric carbon dioxide

4. An increase in which gas would cause the most greenhouse warming of Earth s atmosphere? 1. Nitrogen 2. Oxygen 3. Carbon dioxide 4. hydrogen

5. Why are carbon dioxide and water vapor called greenhouse gases? 1. They are found in varying amounts in Earth s atmosphere 2. They are found in fixed amounts in Earth s bedrock 3. They are good reflectors of infrared radiation 4. They are good absorbers of infrared radiation

More practice!

longwave Shortwave

http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/kids/glo bal_warming_version2.html