Global Warming and Its Effect on the Arctic

By Megan Ware

What is Climate? What is Climate Change?

Climate is the weather in one location that is averaged over a long period of time. Climate Vs. Weather: Weather is used to denote a short time span in the atmosphere while climate is a generalization of weather. Climate change is the unpredictable adjustment from one climate condition to another.

What is Global Warming? What proof is there of Global Warming?

What is it?

Global Warming is the gradual heating of the Earths troposphere; a state of change in which the surface temperature rises.

What proof is there? Scientists world-wide are sharing their observations Measurements from around the world record a 1 degree Fahrenheit increase in temperature Science magazine, published on May 12, 2006 evidence that Earth is taking in in more energy from the sun than it is emitting due to the greenhouse effect.

The Greenhouse Effect

The Greenhouse Effect is the result of abnormal amounts of C02, methane, and nitrous oxide being pumped into the atmosphere due to energy production from fossil fuels. These gases allow short-wave radiation to hit the Earth and radiate off the surface in the form of long wave radiation (infrared) The long way radiation is then trapped in the atmosphere by the fossil fuel burning gases that are causing a rise in surface temperature. Note: The cycle of C02 is natural but with the rise of the industrial age, humans have overwhelmed the atmosphere with C02, causing an enhanced greenhouse effect.

Causes of Global Warming

Emission of fossil fuels Deforestation- As trees are cut down, they are unable to recycle C02 and actually emit C02 as they die. Industrial manufacturing All these things combine to create the amplified Greenhouse Effect C02 content in the atmosphere has been stable at 280ppm since the end of the last ice age 10,000 years ago but it is now 380ppm and rising. This rise has occurred since the Industrial Revolution and the widespread burning of fossil fuels by humanity.

Global Warming and the Arctic

The Arctic is a region inside the Arctic Circle that centers around the North Pole As surface temperatures rise, the ice located in the Arctic has started to melt. According to the Hadley Center 10% of the ice has already melted which is approximately 2.01million square miles.

Global Warming and The Arctic: The Hydrosphere

As ice melts, more fresh water is lost into the salty oceans The oceans density, currently at 1.03*10^3, is expected to decrease which could shut down the deep ocean currents, such as the Thermohaline Circulation. Since this current modifies Europe's weather, if it shuts down, Europe could go into an ice age. With more water in liquid state, more water will be evaporated and more severe storms will occur Sea level has risen 19.5 cm in the past 34 years due to ice melting and thermal expansion The temperature of the ocean is increasing in correspondence to a warmer planet

Global Warming and The Arctic: The Geosphere

With less ice, the albedo, or reflectivity of Earth decreases s-o more solar energy is absorbed, increasing temperatures. With no ice the Earth will absorb 30% more solar energy With higher sea levels, coastal habitats will flood, erode, and be destroyed Once protective sea ice will melt and new lands will be exposed to erosion. Sea ice is melting at 9% per decade. With flooded lands, forests will be unable to root themselves and have already started to rapidly disappear

Global Warming and The Arctic: The Atmosphere

As temperatures increase and oceans are warmer, more severe weather in the troposphere is occurring Scientist Dr. Emmanuel has reported that the number of 4 and 5 category hurricanes has doubled over the last 35 years using his powerdissipation index.

Global Warming and The Arctic: The Biosphere

With coastal habitats gone, birds such as the Cormorants will have to find a new environment or they will go extinct Polar bears who live on the Arctic ice are rapidly going extinct and are expected to die out in less than 100 years With warmer temperatures, more insects will breed further north, eating vegetation and spreading disease With more severe storms, there are more opportunities for humans to die Note: Death tolls in hurricanes are on the rise not necessarily because of severe storms but because more people are inhabiting the coast

Global Warming and The Earth

As one small section of the Earth changes (such as the Arctic) it can be seen that all the spheres of Earth are affected and changing Earth mechanics are intertwined creating a fragile balance that can be easily broken Global Warming is remodeling how the Earth works

What to do about Global Warming

C02 emissions have to drastically drop in order to preserve life as we know it on Earth Locally: recycle, plant trees, use renewable energy such as solar or wind power, buy fuelsmart cars Governmentally: Kyoto Protocol- a document uniting the world to prevent Global warming. Unfortunately the USA has not yet ratified it.

Review Questions
What is the difference between weather and climate? How are C02 emissions creating the Greenhouse effect? What changes are happening due to Global Warming and how will they effect humanity? How does Global Warming illustrate the fragile balance of intertwined components on Earth? What can individuals do to help stop Global Warming?

Bibliography
1)Hadley Center on Climate Change www.met-office.gov.uk/index.html Updated daily 6/3/06=date of access
2)Kyoto Protocol www.unfccc.int/resource/docs/convkp/kpeng.html Opened for signature 12/11/97 6/3/06=date of access 3) National Aeronautics and Space Administration www.nasa.gov/home/index.html Updated daily 6/3/06=date of access

Bibliography Cont.
4) Science News The Wind and The Fury By Naila Moreira Vol. 168 September 17, 2005 6/3/06= date of access 5) Science Magazine No Doubt About it, The World is Warming By Richard A. Kerr May 12, 2006 Vol. 312. no. 5775, p825 6/3/06= date of access

Picture Bibliography
1)University of Michigan www.umich.edu/~gs265/society/greenhouse.htm 6/3/06=date accessed No date of revise given 2) National Aeronautic and Space Administration: Earth Observatory www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov/ Updated daily 6/3/06=Date of Access 3) World Wildlife Fund www.panda.org/.../climate_change/index.cfm January 17, 2006= last update 6/3/06= date of access 4) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration http://ngs.woc.noaa,gov/Katrina/ September 2005= last update 6/3/06= date of access