STANDARD 2.6 (7%-10%)

Analyze patterns of global climate

change over time.

2.6.1

Differentiate between weather and climate.

WHAT IS THE KOEPPEN CLIMATE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM?

A climate classification system that uses average monthly temperature and precipitation in addition to distinct vegetation found in these areas.

THE TROPICAL CLIMATE ZONE IS LOCATED BETWEEN WHAT LATITUDES?0o (the equator) and 30o

WHAT IS WEATHER?

The current state of the atmosphere, including short-term variations such as temperature, precipitation, wind, and pressure.

WHAT IS CLIMATE?

The average temperature and precipitation of a location over at least a 30 year period.

2.6.2Explain changes in global climate due to natural processes.

WHAT IS EL NINO?

A warm ocean current that develops off the western coast of South America and can cause short-term climatic changes worldwide.

HOW DOES A LARGE VOLCANIC ERUPTION EFFECT GLOBAL CLIMATE?Large volcanic eruptions have been known to lower the temperature of the Earth.

HOW DOES SUNSPOT ACTIVITY AFFECT GLOBAL CLIMATE?

Sunspot activity slightly raises the climate of the Earth.

HOW DOES A GREENHOUSE GAS AFFECT GLOBAL CLIMATE?

Greenhouse gases trap heat under them, like a blanket, and cause global warming.

WHAT IS THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT?The greenhouse effect is how atmospheric gases hold heat within the Earth’s atmosphere naturally, allowing the planet to stay warm enough for life to survive.

The two most significant greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide and methane.

WHAT ARE THE TWO MOST SIGNIFICANT GREENHOUSE GASES?

WHAT ARE THE SOURCES OF CO2 IN THE ATMOSPHERE?The burning of fossil fuels is the primary source of CO2 in the atmosphere.

2.6.3Analyze the impacts that human activities have on

global climate change (such as burning hydrocarbons,

greenhouse effect, and deforestation).

WHAT GREENHOUSE GAS IS RELEASED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE WHEN BURNING FOSSIL FUELS?

CO2

HOW DOES DEFORESTATION CONTRIBUTE TO INCREASES IN ATMOSPHERIC CARBON DIOXIDE?When trees that use carbon dioxide for photosynthesis are eliminated carbon dioxide levels increase faster.

WHAT IS A HEAT ISLAND?

A heat island refers to the warmer temperatures in urban areas due to the excess heat created by the heating of large expanses of concrete and asphalt.

WHAT ACTIONS CAN BE TAKEN AT THE LOCAL LEVEL TO SLOW GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGES?People can drive less (walk, bike, carpool…), plant more trees, preserve natural areas, buy local food and products…

WHAT LARGE-SCALE ACTIONS CAN BE TAKEN TO SLOW GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGES?

Switch power generation from non-renewable to renewable resources, encourage energy conservation, support and create greener mass transit, comply with international greenhouse reducing protocols…

2.6.4Attribute changes to

Earth’s systems to global climate change

(temperature change, changes in pH of ocean,

sea level changes, etc.).

HOW DO CHANGES IN GLOBAL TEMPERATURES AFFECT AGRICULTURE?

If the temperature becomes too hot or cold plants will not grow in the regions where they did originally (i.e.. Cherries will grow further South and die out in their current Northern range). If it becomes too much water my be used due to increased irrigation.

HOW DO CHANGES IN GLOBAL TEMPERATURES AFFECT SPECIES DIVERSITY?

Animals that are unable to migrate due to habitat fragmentation will die out because they will be unable to adapt to the changing temperatures fast enough.

WHAT AFFECT DOES GLOBAL WARMING HAVE ON WEATHER?Global warming disrupts wind and rainfall patterns and increases the likelihood of tropical storms due to the warm temperatures that create them.

WHAT IS OCEAN ACIDIFICATION?Ocean acidification is when the ocean becomes acidic due to the deposition of carbon dioxide in the water creating carbonic acid.

WHAT AFFECT DOES OCEAN LIFE HAVE ON THE CONCENTRATION OF ATMOSPHERIC CARBON DIOXIDE?

Photosynthesizing ocean life decreases the concentration of CO2.

HOW DOES THE SEA LEVEL RESPOND TO CHANGES IN GLOBAL TEMPERATURE?As the temperature of the Earth increases the polar ice caps and glaciers begin to melt, causing sea levels to rise.

HOW DOES THE SEA LEVEL RESPOND TO CHANGES IN GLACIAL COVERAGE?

Sea levels go down as glaciers freeze over, and increase as they melt.

WHAT AFFECT DOES TECTONIC MOVEMENT HAVE ON RELATIVE SEA LEVEL IN A REGION?

Subduction can cause sea levels to lower while seafloor spreading can cause them to increase.