UNIT 5: Atmosphere

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UNIT 5 Atmosphere WeatherChapter 21-Climate
and Climate Change

• C/S 21-1 What is Climate?
• C/S 21-2 Climate Zones
• C/S 21-3 Climate Change

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C/S 21-1 What is Climate?

• Climate-An area's long-term pattern of weather.
• Includes many characteristics such as how hot
  summers are, how cold the winters are and how
  much precipitation falls throughout the year.
• Its latitude, elevation, nearby bodies of water,
  ocean currents, topography, prevailing winds and
  vegetation, controls an area's climate.
• Temperature and Precipitation
• Temperature and precipitation vary around the
  world. Averages can be misleading.
• Climate Controls
• Climate controls Latitude, Elevation, Nearby
  Water, Ocean Currents, Topography, Prevailing
  winds, and Vegetation.
• Add in notes chart on page 467.
• Different climate zones.

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C/S 21-2 Climate Zones

• Polar Climates
• Very cold, little sunshine in winter. Snow
  reflects sunlight. Little Vegetation.
• It has two sub climates tundra and ice cap
• Dry Climates
• Cover about 30 of land surface
• Lose more moisture to evaporation than it
  receives from precipitation.
• Deserts are not always lifeless and hot.

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C/S 21-2 Climate Zones (cont)

• Humid Tropical Climates
• Near Equator and are warm year round.
• Large amounts of precipitation.
• Moist Mid-Latitude Climates
• Mild Winters-humid subtropical, marine west
  coast, and Mediterranean climates.
• Severe Winters-Snow covers ground in winter and
  summer temperatures are warm.
• Highlands
• Multiple climates exist in a small area.
• Caused by rapid changes in elevation.
• Climate Zones
• World Climatic Zones

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C/S 21-3 Climate Change

• Causes of Climate Change
• Climate is always changing. Just a slight drop
  in temperature can trigger and ice age.
• The reflection of sunlight by snow and clouds can
  lower the earth's temperature.
• The motion of the earth the shape of its orbit
  and the wobbling of the earth on its axis.
• The movement and interaction of the plates driven
  by plate tectonics.
• An increase in sunspots increases the amount of
  energy emitted by the sun.
• Dust and Gas emitted by volcanoes.

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C/S 21-3 Climate Change (cont)

• Human Effects on Climate
• The burning of fossil fuels and deforestation
  increases the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and
  lowers the amount trees available to absorb it.
• Measuring Climate Change
• Sea floor sediments, Tree rings, and glacier
  samples.
• Use these samples to detect changes in CO2 Levels
  over time.
• How nature records climate change.
• Learn more about the greenhouse effect and global
  warming.