energy in the earth system

the atmosphere

• The atmosphere is composed of a mix of several different gases in differing amounts
• -permanent gases whose percentages do not change from day to day are nitrogen, oxygen and argon

the atmosphere´ś structure

• -has 4 layers
• -the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere.
• -The structure of the atmosphere dictates the way the atmosphere behaves and controls how weather develops near the surface of the earth.

evolution of the atmosphere

• - formed from a hot mix of gases and solids, it had almost no atmosphere.
• -The surface was molten
• - an atmosphere formed mainly from gases spewed from volcanoes

energy enters the system

• The energy radiated from a black body is distributed over all wavelengths
• Maximum energy is radiated at a wavelength proportional to the inverse of the absolute temperature.
• Solar energy and gravitational energy are the fundamental sources of energy for the Earth's climate system.

fate of incoming radiation

• absorbed as it travels down through the atmosphere.
• this is radiation at wave lengths in the two 'tails' of the solar spectrum
• It is either reflected back to space or absorbed by the surface .

reflection

• Reflected radiation describes sunlight that has been reflected off of nonatmospheric things such as the ground.
• Asphalt reflects about 4% of the light that strikes it and a lawn about 25%.

absorption

• When matter absorbs energy, the atoms and molecules that make up the material become excited
• they move around more quickly.
• The increased movement raises the material’s temperature.
• molecules are also radiating thermal infrared energy

photosynthesis

• photosynthesis releases oxygen and produces carbohydrate molecules

the greenhouse effect

• a natural process that warms the Earth's surface
• When the Sun's energy reaches the Earth's atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed and reradiated by greenhouse gases.

greenhouse gases

• a gas that absorbs and emits radiant energy within the thermal infrared range.
• Greenhouse gases cause the greenhouse effect.
• The primary greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone.

impact on earth

• Any changes to the Earth’s climate system that affect how much energy enters or leaves the system alters Earth’s radiative equilibrium and can force temperatures to rise or fall.
• Natural climate forcings include changes in the Sun’s brightness
• large volcanic eruptions that inject light reflecting particles as high as the stratosphere.

glomal

• A global energy system is analyzed. the energy distributor sub-system of the worldwide supranational system.
• many interconnections are examined and traced back to their source to determine the major elements of this global energy system.

evidence of climate change

• just in the last 650,000 years there have been seven cycles of glacial advance and retreat
• Most of these climate changes are attributed to very small variations in Earth’s orbit that change the amount of solar energy our planet receives.

causes of climate change

• greenhouse gas emissions; Global CO2 emissions from human activity have increased by over 400% since 1950
• The Earth’s natural climate cycle; , there have been natural cycles in the Earth’s climate, between ice ages and warmer interglacial periods.

man made vs natural climate change

• Changes in climate occur because of alterations in Earth’s energy balance
• Today, CO2 levels are 40 percent higher than they were before the Industrial Revolution began
• Earth’s climate has changed naturally over the past 650,000 years, moving in and out of ice ages and warm periods.

impact of climate change current and future

• Scientists use computer models of the climate system to better understand these issues and project future climate changes.
• Many greenhouse gases stay in the atmosphere for long periods of time.
• even if emissions stopped increasing, atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations would continue to increase and remain elevated for hundreds of years.

Stopping climate change

• It involves many dimensions like science, economics, society, politics and moral
• is a global problem, that will be around for decades and centuries to come
• The goal of mitigation is to avoid significant human interference with the climate system
• The goal of adaptation is to reduce our vulnerability to the harmful effects of climate change

Alternative energy

• Alternative energy is any energy source that is an alternative to fossil fuel.
• energy generated in ways that do not deplete natural resources or harm the environment
• especially by avoiding the use of fossil fuels and nuclear power.

life choices

• watch what you eat; Net zero requires a nationwide 20% reduction in consumption of beef, lamb, and dairy, which contribute the most to agriculture-related emissions
• change the way you travel;net zero plan requires mass adoption of not just public transit, but also electric cars, and the charging infrastructure they require.
• adjust your thermostat; consumers must lower their energy use for both water and heating

the weather machine; different heating impact

• . It's the result of the weather machine itself our climate which is changing
• becoming hotter and more erratic
• one-third of Americans doubt humans are changing the climate
• Widespread droughts and wildfires.

coriolis effect

• is an inertial or fictitious force that act on objects
• the Coriolis Effect makes things like planes or currents of air traveling long distances around Earth appear to move at a curve as opposed to a straight line.
• It affects weather patterns, ocean currents, and air travel

temperature inversions

• Temperature inversions are a result of other weather conditions in an area.
• Temperature inversions are a result of other weather conditions in an area.
• The warm inversion layer then acts as a cap and stops atmospheric mixing

Ocean layers, currents, and distribution of life

• The ocean covers 71 percent of the planet and holds 97 percent of its water
• The movement of this heat through local and global ocean currents affects the regulation of local weather conditions and temperature
• Deep ocean currents are density driven and differ from surface currents in scale, speed, and energy

rainforests and deserts ; where and why

• climate in rainforests are hot, humid , has no dry season . annual rainfall is 2104 mm
• climate in deserts are dry and hot . less than 250 mm of precipitation a year

el nino; cause and impact

• caused by the interaction between the surface layers of the tropical Pacific Ocean and the atmosphere over it.
• can also bring flooding and heavy rainfall in other areas.
• The water is warmer due to the trade winds reversing direction or becoming less intense.
• creates huge changes in weather patterns and can lead to droughts, often in Indonesia, Philippines and Australia.

factors that influence climate

• Latitude. Depending on how close or how far it is to the equator. Ocean currents. Certain ocean currents have different temperatures. ... Wind and air masses. Heated ground causes air to rise which results in lower air pressure. Elevation Relief. Nearness to water.

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