Global Climate facts
What is :
Climate Change ~ the Greenhouse Effect ~ greenhouse gas
Climate Change Defined ~ Climate change is the long-term shift of the climate in a specific location, region or planet. The change in variability of climate is also considered climate change, even though average weather conditions remain the same. The change in climate is measured by fluctuations in details associated with average weather, such as temperature, rainfall and wind.
Climate change occurs when the climate of a specific area or planet is altered between two different periods of time. This usually happens when a changing variable effects the total amount of the sun's energy absorbed by the earth's atmosphere and surface. It can also occur when a new or changing variable effects the amount of heat energy from the earth's surface and atmosphere that escapes to space over time.
These changes have been caused by natural processes like volcanic eruptions, variations in deep ocean currents and fluctuations in the sun's intensity over Earths history.
Humans have a profound effect on climate change by releasing greenhouse gases and aerosols into the atmosphere and constantly changing geographic surfaces to accommodate our needs. This effect coupled with natural processes define climate change as it exists today.
The Greenhouse Effect ~ The greenhouse effect is a naturally occurring process that aids in heating the Earth's surface and atmosphere and regulates temperature on Earth. Just as glass in a greenhouse keeps heat in, our atmosphere traps the sun’s heat near earth’s surface, primarily through heat-trapping properties of certain greenhouse gases.
Earth is heated by sun energy. Most of the sun's energy radiates through the atmosphere to warm the earth's surface and oceans. However, the heating of the ground by sun energy causes the Earth's surface to become a radiator of this energy. This radiation moves upward and is generally directed back to space, but only a small portion of this energy makes it there. The majority of this radiation is absorbed by greenhouse gases, so it gets trapped.
The amount of heat energy added to the atmosphere by the greenhouse effect is controlled by the concentration of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. Over the past 10,000 years, the amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere has been relatively stable. Then a few centuries ago, their concentrations began to increase due to changing land use, the proliferation of our species, industrialization and the surge of population.
Water vapor is the most common greenhouse gas.
Carbon Dioxide "CO2" is the most significant greenhouse gas released through the burning of fossil fuels. It accounts for about 55% of the change in the intensity of the Earth's greenhouse effect which makes it the main contributor to climate
change. Contributors of this gas in our atmosphere include; Organic decay, Forest fires, Volcanoes, Burning fossil fuels, Deforestation & Land-use change.
Methane is released when organic material is digested, burned or rotted with no oxygen
present. Contributors of this gas in our atmosphere include; Wetlands, organic decay, termites, natural gas & oil extraction, biomass burning, rice cultivation, cattle & landfills.
Nitrous oxide is a naturally occurring compound, but human activities are
adding to atmospheric content. Nitrous oxide is released through the use of manure and fertilizers in agriculture. Other contributors of this gas in our atmosphere include; Forests, grasslands, oceans, soils, biomass burning & burning of fossil fuels.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's) are a major contributor to the decrease of stratospheric ozone. Contributors of this gas in our atmosphere include; Refrigerators, aerosol spray propellants & cleaning solvents.