Greenhouse effect

Mabuza Nolwazi
 Content

•Greenhouse effect
•Greenhouse gases
•Causes of greenhouse effect

•Consequences of greenhouse effect

•Importance
• Measures to reduce greenhouse effect
•Summary
•Reference list
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Greenhouse
• Greenhouses are buildings with glass
walls and roofs.
• Several types of plants are grown in
greenhouses, including tropical
flowers and tomatoes.

• Greenhouses stay warm during the

winter, even in extremely cold
temperatures. The greenhouse's plants
and air are warmed by the sunsatt
during the day.
The greenhouse remains w

the night, even when the t

outside are much cooler. T stts
from the greenhouse's glass

trapping the solar heat.

 Greenhouse
effect
• The greenhouse effect functions in the same manner
as a greenhouseon the earth.

A mild greenhouse effect causes the earth's

atmosphere to be slightly warmer than it would be
from directsolar heating, leading to a mild increase in
temperature.

• Climate change is caused by the greenhouse effect, in

which the atmosphere traps heat from the sun, raising
the temperature on the planet.

As the sun cannot heat up the night side of the planet,

the trapped energy raises the surface temperature of
the atmosphere, increasing the planet's temperature.
 How is greenhouse effect formed?
• Most of Earth's visible light is directed

through the atmosphereand reaches its

surface.

Reflected radiation
• When heat is absorbed by the Earth's surface,
by atmosphere
a portion of that energy is radiated as infrared Infrared
radiation back into space. radiation
reemitted
• The greenhousegases atmosphere tend
in the back toearth
to absorb this radiation, which raises the
temperature ofthe atmosphere. Relected radiation
by earthsurface
• As a result, the heated atmosphere emits
infrared radiation back towards Earth's Intrared Absorbed
radiationadation
surface. emitted by
earth
The COVET Poram
 What aregreenhouse gases
The world's atmosphere is composed ofgases called greenhousegases that trap heat. However,they
prevent the heat from leaving the atmosphere that the sunlight brings.

• Greenhouse gases include; Annual Greenhouse

srit
Gas Emissions by Sector
V Carbon Dioxide
Tae
Methane
346
V Chlorofluorocarbons
VNitrous Oxide Foi ces

VWater vapor

CatenOiee
 The greenhouse gases
Contributions of Green House Gases
Water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse
gas in the atmosphere, both by weightand by
volume.
Water vapor is also an effective greenhouse
gas,as it does absorb longwave radiation and
Metha radiates it back to the surface, thus

contributing to warming.
Water
Carbon
vapor
If we look at the pie chart, we canse
dioxide most to
water contribute the
greenhouseeffect.
 Natural causes

• Greenhouse gases are naturally produced by

some components of the Earth. The oceans
contain carbon dioxide, forest fires produce
methane,and certain animals' manure releases
nitrogen oxide.

Forest fires
• Forest fires release carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere. It takes new forests a long time to

grow,and their growth isn't stable enough to

allow enough oxygen into newly formed,
suffocating carbon air. As a result offorest
fires, polluting gasesare trapped in the
atmosphereafter the fire has burned out.
 Natural causes
.When the humidity rises,

absorbs energy and thus raises the

water vapor The Cydleof Water Vapor
Alk howt tr aorats agetse os

temperature. Hgher wtv cottns

tomha
• Humans and animals breathe oxygen and
release carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Mere tn
latmowterpor
 Human made causes
Fossil fuels

• Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are relcased

during the burning of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and
petroleum for energy). These gases trap heat in the
atmosphere, which ís a major contributor to global warming
and climate change.
• In South Africa, coal remainsa valuable fuel source that
drives the nation's economythrough electricity production.
The country continues to emit greenhousegasesat a high
rate.

• When coal is burned, reacts with oxygen in the air to

it

produce carbon dioxide, a heat-trapping gas. As soon as

carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, it acts as a
blanket, warming the carth above its normal level.
 Human-made causes

Deforestation

• Plants and trees absorb carbon dioxide and release

oxygen. In the process of cutting down trees,
greenhousegases are emitted that increase the
Earth's temperature.

• The release ofcarbon dioxide occurs when forests

are burned or rotted when forests are cleared. As a
result, this increases the concentration ofcarbon
dioxide in the atmosphere. The greenhouseeffect is
primarily caused by carbon dioxide. Humans are
responsible for one third ofthe carbon dioxide in
the atmosphere.
 Human-made causes

• Several harmful gases are released the atmosphere by industries,

into
includingmethane, carbon dioxide,and fluorine gas. The effects of
these also contribute to global warming.

Farming
• Nitrous oxide used in fertilizers is one of the contributors to the

greenhouse effect in the atmosphere.

 escaping radiation
absorbed

reflected edge of atmosphere

absorbed by
atmosphere and
Earth radiation

absorbed by
greenhouse
delorestation
gases
CFCS oil and
greénho
petrol
gases an
engines
fossil fue
 Consequences of greenhouse effect
Global Warming

• Molecularprocesses that cause the Earth'satmosphereto gradually

warm.An increasing volume ofgreenhousegases such as carbon
dioxide and methane are principal causes this natural disaster, as
of

these gases are released by vehicles, industries, and other human

activities.

• Agricultural producers and communities are at risk as a result of climate

extremes, such as droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures thatcan
causecrop losses and hamper their livelihoods. Climatechange will
likely increase weeds, pests, and fungi, depending on the crop and
ecosystem, as well as temperatures and humidity rising.
 Depletion of Ozone Layer

• Earth from harmful ultraviolet rays by the

is protected
Ozone Layer. It is in the upper stratosphere. In the
event of the ozone layer depletion, the earth's surface
would be exposed to harmful UV rays, which can
cause skin cancer and drastically change the climate.

• The image shows an ozone hole caused by human

made activities.

• If greenhouse effects increase, the oceans will warm,

glaciers will partially melt, and sea levels will incerease.
Ocean water also will expand if it warms, contributing
further to sea level rise.
 Importance ofgreenhouse effect
The greenhouseeffect keeps the Earth's
surface at a certain temperature, making it

habitable for living beings.

• The atmospherewould be engulfed in red heat

without the greenhouseeffect.

• As a result of the greenhouseeffect, the

planet'swater levels are maintained. Since the
planet is experiencing a relatively moderate
climate, its ice has not completely melted,
leaving only polar ice caps in the polar
regions.
 Measures to reduce greenhouse effect
Reduce, reuse, recycle

• To reduce the amountofcarbon dioxide

released into the atmosphere, onecan instead
buy products with minimal packaging, which
will generate less waste.

• By purchasing reusable products instead of

disposable ones, such as refillable water
bottles, you reduce waste.
 Planting trees
• Planting trees
• Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere and, in turn, give off oxygen.
• One tree can absorb around one ton of
carbon dioxide in its lifetime. As a result,
if someone has the means to plant trees,
now would be a great time to get started.
Suntight
Oxygen
Carbon
Dioxide

Glucose
Water
 Using public transports or driving less
• By driving less, people will save on gasoline,
reducing emissions.

• Also,if we bike or walk instead ofdriving, we

get more exercise.

• It is also important tomake sure that your car

is running efficiently when driving.
 Summary

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GLOBAL PRESENTATION BY:
RITIK KUMAR

WARMING
 INTRODUCTION
Global warming is the increase of average world
temperatures as a result of what is known as the
greenhouse effect. Certain gases in the atmosphere
act like glass in a greenhouse, allowing sunlight
through to heat the earth's surface but trapping the
heat as it radiates back into space. As the
greenhousegases build up in the atmosphere the
Earth gets hotter. This process is leading to a rapid
change in climate, also known as climate change.
 WHAT IS GLOBAL
WARMING?

Globalwarming, the gradual heating of Earth's

surface,oceans and atmosphere,is caused by
human primarily the burning of fossil
activity,
fuels that pump carbon dioxide (C02),
methane and other greenhouse gases into
the atmosphere.
The community believes that climate
scientific
like Global Warming have occurred
throughout Earth's history and will continue
to occur in the future. Scientists have spent
decades figuring out what is causing Global
Warming.
 GREENHOUSE
Greenhouse Effect
EFFECT Co; and other grenhousegases in

atmosphere retain heat and keep the

earth warmer

The greenhouse effect is a natural Long

wavelength
process that warms the Earth's Atmosphere

surface. When the Sun's energy Short

reaches the Earth's atmosphere, some wavelength

of Itis reilected back to space and some

is absorbed andaiated by
greenhouse gases. The absoroed
energy warms the atmosphere and the
surface of the Earth.
 CAUSES OF
GLOBAL WARMING
 Man-made Causes of Global Warming
Deforestation
Plants arethe main source of oxygen.They take in
carbon dioxide and release oxygen thereby maintaining
environmental balance. Forests are being depleted for
many domestic and commercial purposes, Thishasled
to an environmental imbatance, therebygiving rise to
global warming.

Use of Vehicles
The use of vehicles, even for a very short distance results
in various gaseous emíssions. Vehicles burn fossil fuels
which emit a large amount of carbon dioxide and other

toxins into the atmosphereresulting in a temperature

increase.
 Chlorofluorocarbon
With the excessive use of air conditioners and
refrigerators, humans have been adding CFCs into
the environment which affects the atmospheric
ozone layer. The ozone layer protects the earth
surface from the harmful ultraviolet rays emitted
by the sun. The CFCs has led to ozone layer
depletion making way for the ultraviolet rays,
thereby increasing the temperature of the earth.

Industrial Development
With the advent of industrialization, the
temperature of the earth has been increasing
rapidly.The harmful emissions from the factories Industries Development
add to the increasing temperature of the eath
 Agriculture
Various farming activities produce carbon dioxide and
methane gas. These add to the greenhousegases in
the atmosphereand increase the temperature of the
earth.

o Overpopulation
Increase in population means more people breathing.
This leads to an increase in the level of carbon dioxide,
the primary gas causing global warming, in the 0vERPOPULATION
atmosphere.
 Natural Causes of Global Warming

O Volcanoes
Volcanoes are one of the largest natural contributors to
global warming. The ash and smoke emitted during
volcanic eruptions goes out into the atmosphereand
affects the climate.

Sun OWater Vapour

Water Vapour is a kind of greenhouse gas. Due to the
increase in the earth's temperature more water gets
evaporated from the water bodies and stays in the
atmosphereadding to global warming.

Earth
O Melting Permafrost
Permafrost is there where glaciers are
present. It is a frozen soil that has
environmental gases trapped in it for several
years. As the permafrost melts, it releases
the gases back into the atmosphere
increasing the earth's temperature.

OForest Blazes
Forest blazes or forest fires emit a large
amount of carbon-containing smoke. These
gases are released into the atmosphere and
increase the earths temperature resulting in
global warming.
BFFECTS OF GLOBAS

Temperature
Rise in

Threats to the Ecosystem

Climate Change
Spread of Diseases
High Mortality Rates
Loss of Natural Habitat
 Rise in Temperature
Global warming has led to an incredible increase in
earth's temperature. Since 1880, the earth's
40 temperature has increased by ~1 degrees. This has
4C resulted in an increase in the melting of glaciers,
which have led to an increase in the sea level. This
could have devastating effects on coastal regions.

* Threats to the Ecosystem

Global warming has affected the coral reefs that can
lead to a loss of plant and animal lives. Increase in
global temperatures has made the fragility of coral
reefs even worse.
 Climate Change
Global warming has led to a change in climatic
conditions. There are droughts at some places and
floods at some. This climatic imbalance is the result of
global warming.

Spread of Diseases
Global warming leads to a change in the patterns of
heat and humidity. This has led to the movement of
mosquitoes thatcarry and spread diseases.
MORTALITY : Due
High Mortality Rates
to an increase in floods, tsunamis and other
the average death toll usually
natural calamities,
increases.Also, such events can bring about the
spread of diseases that can hamper human life.

Loss of Natural Habitat

A global shift in the climate leads to the loss of
BIODIVERSITY habitats of several plants and animals. In this case,
LOSS
the animals need to migrate from their natural
habitat and many of them even become extinct.
This is yet another major impact of global warming
on biodiversity.

nn
 GLOBAL WARMING STATISTICS
Earth's global average surface
temperature in 2021 tied 2018 as the 2021 ties 2018forSixth Warmest Year on Record

sixth-warmest year on record, Global Temperature Anomaly (Ccompared to the 1951.-1980 versge)

according to independentanalyses 100

from NASA and the National Oceanic
a75
and AtmosphericAdministration
(NOAA). a504

Global temperatures in 2021 were 0.85

degrees Celsius (1.5 degrees 025

Fahrenheit) above the average for

NASAS baseline period, according to
scientists at NASA'S Goddard Institute 0254

for Space Studies (GISS). NASA uses

-0501
the period from 1951-1980 as a 1880 200
1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 z000
baseline to compare how global
temperatures change overtime.
 How can we Stop Global Warming?
DRIVE LES AND DIIvE
SMART SUITCH

RICPCLE HAPPER EATM

DFF UHEN NOT
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In USE
BUYING ENERGY SAVING APPLIANCES

STOP

GLO BAL USE LESs

HOT WATER
WARMING
RAISE
AWARENESS
ant T
AND
STOR
TOVALU
GLOBAL WARMING
 Climate Change Ouotes From Inspirational Leaders

O'The world must come together to confront climate change. There is litle
scientific dispute that we do nothing, we will face more drought, famine and
if

mass displacement that will fuel more conflict for decades." - Barack Obama
O'When the well is dry,we know the worth of water." - Benjamin Franklin
O"Preservation of our environment is not a liberal or conservative challenge, it's
common sense." - Ronald Reagan
OEarth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's
greed"- Mahatma Gandhi
O'Climate change is a terrible problem, and it absolutely needs to be solved. It

deserves tobe a huge priority."- Bill Gates

D"We are running the most dangerous experiment in history right now,which is to
seehow much carbon dioxide the atmosphere can handle before there is an
environmental catastrophe."- Elon Musk
 Paper code: GGY HC – 2026
Part- I
Group- A: Climatology

Topic: Planetary Winds: Meaning, Classification, and Characteristics

The winds blowing almost in the same direction throughout the year are called
permanent winds. These winds are also called as invariable or planetary winds because they
involve larger areas of the globe. On average, the location of the high and low-pressure belts is
considered to be stationary on the globe (though they are seldom stationary). Consequently,
winds blow from high-pressure belts to low-pressure belts. The direction of such winds remains
more or less the same throughout the year though their areas change seasonally. Thus, such
winds are called permanent winds. Since these winds are distributed all over the globe and these
are related to thermally and dynamically induced pressure belts and rotation of the earth and
hence they are called planetary winds. These winds include trade winds or tropical easterlies,
westerlies, and polar winds or polar easterlies.

a) Trade winds: Trade winds blow in a belt lying between 5°N-30°N in the northern
hemisphere and 5°S-30°S in the southern hemisphere. These are extremely steady winds
blowing from subtropical high-pressure areas towards the equatorial low-pressure belt. These
winds should have blown from the north to south in Northern Hemisphere and south to north
in Southern Hemisphere, but, they get deflected to the right in Northern Hemisphere and to the
left in Southern Hemisphere due to Coriolis effect and Ferrel’s law. Thus, they blow as
northeastern trades in Northern Hemisphere and southeastern trades in Southern Hemisphere.
These winds are called trade winds because of the fact that they helped the sea merchants in
sailing their ships as the direction of the trade winds remains more or less constant and regular.
They are also known as tropical easterlies, and they blow steadily in the same direction. They
are noted for consistency in both force and direction. It may be pointed out that the zone of
trade winds is called Hadley Cell on the basis of the convective model prepared by Hadley for
the entire earth.
 Fig: Generalised global pattern of planetary winds

b) Westerlies: The permanent winds blowing from the subtropical high-pressure belts (30°-
35°) to the sub-polar low-pressure belts (60°-65°) in both the hemispheres are called
westerlies. The general direction of the westerlies is south-west (SW) to north-east (NE)
in the northern hemisphere and north-west (NW) to the south-east (SE) in the southern
hemisphere. The general characteristic features of the westerlies are largely modified due
to cyclones and anticyclones associated with them. Because of the dominance of land in
the northern hemisphere, the westerlies become more complex and complicated and
become less effective during summer seasons and more vigorous during winter seasons.
These westerlies bring much precipitation in the western parts of the continents because
they pick up much moisture while passing over the vast stretches of the oceans. The
westerlies become more vigorous in the southern hemisphere because of the lack of land
and dominance of the oceans. Their velocity increases southward and they become
stormy. They are also associated with boisterous gales. The velocity of the westerlies
become so great that they are called roaring forties between the latitudes of 40°-50° S,
furious fifties at 50° S latitude and shrieking sixties at 60° S latitude.
c) Polar Winds: The polar easterlies are the dry, cold prevailing winds that blow from the
high-pressure areas of the polar highs at the north and south poles towards low-pressure
areas within the Westerlies at high latitudes. These winds blow within the latitudinal belt
of 60°-65° in both the hemispheres. Cold air subsides at the pole creating the high
pressure, forcing a southerly (northward in the southern hemisphere) outflow of air
towards the equator. This outflow is then deflected westward by the Coriolis effect,
therefore these prevailing winds blow from the east to the west. Since the winds originate
in the east, they are then known as easterlies. Unlike the westerlies in the middle
latitudes, the polar easterlies are often weak and irregular.

*****
 Fahad Ali (28)

Clinate Change Impacts on Ecosystem:

Rising Sea Level:
• Rising sea levels are a result of
melting glaciers and ice sheets,
a well as the thermal expansion
of seawater due to warming
temperatures. As sea levels
continue to rise. Coastal
communities and ecosystems are
at risk of flooding and erosion.
Coastal habitats SUch as
wetlands and mangroves are
threatened by rising sea levels.
as they are inundated with
saltwater and lose their ability to
support plant and animal life.
 Rising sea levels can also lead to
increased coastal erosion, which
can damage infrastructure and
homes and dísplace communities.

Biodiversity Loss:

Climate change can lead to the

decline or extinction of species that
cannotadapt or migrate quickly
enough to changing conditions.
Ocean Acidification:

Ocean acidification is the ongoing decrease in the

pH of the Eart's oceans, causedby the uptake of
carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. This
process makes the water more acidic and has
significant on marine life.

Melting Glaciers and Permafrost:

Melting glaciers and permafrost are

major impacts of climate change on
ecosystems. As temperatures rise,
glaciers and permafrost are rapidly
melting, leading to rising sea levels
and changes in precipitation patterns.
Extreme weather evernts:

• Huicanes are becoming

stronger morend
frecquent due to waming Ocean temperatures.
Causingdevcstating damage to cOcsta
Communiies.

• Tornadoes are becoming more frequent and

intense, with longer and wicer paths of destruction.

loods ae becoming more common and severe,

cOusing damoge to homes, businesses, and
infrostructure.
Changes in Precipitation Patterns:

Precipitation pattems refer to the amount.

frequency, and intensty of rain, snow, seet.
a
and hail that fals in paticular regon over a
gven period of fime.

Altered migration pattern:

Many animals rely on temperature

and environmental cues for
migration Climate change can
disrupt these CUes
affecting Breeding andforaging.
 Fahad Ali (28)

Clinate Change Impacts on Ecosystem:

Rising Sea Level:
• Rising sea levels are a result of
melting glaciers and ice sheets,
a well as the thermal expansion
of seawater due to warming
temperatures. As sea levels
continue to rise. Coastal
communities and ecosystems are
at risk of flooding and erosion.
Coastal habitats SUch as
wetlands and mangroves are
threatened by rising sea levels.
as they are inundated with
saltwater and lose their ability to
support plant and animal life.
 Rising sea levels can also lead to
increased coastal erosion, which
can damage infrastructure and
homes and dísplace communities.

Biodiversity Loss:

Climate change can lead to the

decline or extinction of species that
cannotadapt or migrate quickly
enough to changing conditions.
Ocean Acidification:

Ocean acidification is the ongoing decrease in the

pH of the Eart's oceans, causedby the uptake of
carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. This
process makes the water more acidic and has
significant on marine life.

Melting Glaciers and Permafrost:

Melting glaciers and permafrost are

major impacts of climate change on
ecosystems. As temperatures rise,
glaciers and permafrost are rapidly
melting, leading to rising sea levels
and changes in precipitation patterns.
Extreme weather evernts:

• Huicanes are becoming

stronger morend
frecquent due to waming Ocean temperatures.
Causingdevcstating damage to cOcsta
Communiies.

• Tornadoes are becoming more frequent and

intense, with longer and wicer paths of destruction.

loods ae becoming more common and severe,

cOusing damoge to homes, businesses, and
infrostructure.
Changes in Precipitation Patterns:

Precipitation pattems refer to the amount.

frequency, and intensty of rain, snow, seet.
a
and hail that fals in paticular regon over a
gven period of fime.

Altered migration pattern:

Many animals rely on temperature

and environmental cues for
migration Climate change can
disrupt these CUes
affecting Breeding andforaging.
WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE? IT'S
CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES
CONTENTS

MEANING OF CLIMATE CHANGE

CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
CONSEQUENCES OF CLIMATE CHAI
CONCLUSION
WHAT IS CLIMATE?

Climate is the average daily weather for an extended period of time

at a certain location.
MEANING CONT. ...
Weather reflects short term conditions of the atmosphere, it

can change from minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour, day-to-day

and season-to-season. Climate is the average of weather
over time and space.

Unlike "weather," which means temperature, rainfall,

humidity of a particular time at a local area, "climate" has
spatial and temporal components.

It consists of manykinds of weather events, their

periodicities, intensities, and nature of dynamism.

When we about climate change, we actually understand

talk
more than the literal changes of weather events over the
time and space of that climate.
Meaning cont....
E.G., changes in ocean current, melting of ice, and loss of
biodíversity are included in climate change; they are not
discussed as conventional events of weather.

By climate change, we understand detrimental effects in

environment emission of pollutants, temperature rise,
precipitation change, sea level rise, flooding, intensified
cyclones, abrupt frequency of events, ozone layer depletion,
biodiversity loss, vegetation change, and drought - almost all
negative impacts.
Climate change is a term that refers to major changes in
temperature, rainfall, snow, or wind patterns lasting for
decades or longer.
According to Working Group Il of the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change (PCC); limate change refers to any change
in the climate over time, whether due to natural variability
or as a result of human activity
CAUSES OF CLIMATE
CHANGE
WHAT CAUSES CLIMATE CHANGE?
 CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE

1) NATURAL CAUSES I) Volcanic eruptions

ii) Ocean current

2)HUMAN CAUSES-.. I)Human activities--

Burning of oil, deforestation, fertilizers
CAUSES CONT. ..

since the industrial revolution began in 1750

human have contributed substantially to
activities
climate change by adding co2 and other heat
trapping gases to the atmosphere. These green
houses gas emissions have increased the
greenhouse effect causing Earth's surface
temperature to rise.
Causes cont.

• Earth'stemperature depends on the balance between

energy entering and leaving the planet's system.
• When energy from the sun
incoming is absortbed by
the Earth system, earth warms.
• When the sun's energy is reflected back into space,
earth avoids warming.

• When absorbed energy is released back into space,

earth cools.

•Many factors both natural and human can

changes in earth's energy balance including : cause
Causes cont.
a) Variations in the sun's energy reaching earth
b) Changes in the reflectivity of earth's atmosphere and
surface

c) Changes in the greenhouse effect, which affects the

amount of heat retained by earth's atmosphere.

THESE FACTORS HAVE CAUSED EARTH'S CLIMATE TO

CHANGE MANY TIMES.
Causes cont.

Climate Change prior to the Industrial Revolution in the

1700 can be explained by natural causes, such as changes
in the solar energy, volcanic eruptions, and natural
changes in the greenhouse gas concentrations.

Recent climate changes, however cannot be explained by

natural causes alone as most research indicate that
natural causes do not explain most observed warming
especiallywarming since the mid-20th century.

Humans are increasingly influencing the climate and the

earth's temperature by burning fossil fuels, cutting down
rainforests and farming livestock.
Causes cont.
These human activities release large amounts of CO2 (which is
the primary greenhouse gas) in addition to those naturally
oCcurring in the atmosphere, increasing the greenhouse effect

and global warming.

Scientists have known that CO2 is one of the main greenhouse
gases of importance to Earth's energy balance.

Since CO2 is already in the atmosphere naturally, why are

EMISSIONS from human activity significant?
Human activities have significantly the natural
disturbed
carbon cycle by extracting long-buried fossil fuels and burning
them for energy thus releasing CO2 to the atmosphere.
 Natural Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse Effect Intensified by Humans
More heat escapes Less heat escapes
into space into space

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CHA CO
Radiag

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Gases

esnoyuee
Atmosphere

Greennouse Seseg
 aloxide ccOand other
gases
abundant in (GHGS)are
the atmosphere
GHGS are released
into the atmosphere
when fossil fuels are
burned

Carbon is storedin
vegetation
GHGs are released
into the atnosahere
af
via respiration
animals and plants

Carbon is by Carbon is storedin solls

plants via photosvnthesis
Decaying plants and other
matter producescarbon
and other GHGs

Carbon is stored in fossil fuels

Source: Ofsetters
 CONSEQUENCES
Expansion of Greenhouse Effect
The sun's radiation that strikes the Earth's
atmosphere in the form of light, Ultraviolet Radiation
(UV) and Infrared Radiation(|).
UV radiation has a shorter wavelength and a higher
energy level than visible light, while IR radiation has
a longer wavelength and a weaker energy level.

30 percent of the radiation striking Earth's

atmosphere immediately reflected back out to space
by clouds, ice, snow, sand and other reflective
surfaces,
 CONSEQUENCES
Expansion of GreenhouseEffect cont. .
. The remaining 70 percent of incoming solar radiation is absorbed
by the oceans, the land and the atmosphere. The oceans, land and
atmosphererelease heat in the form of IR thermal radiation, which
passes out of the atmosphereand into space.

The exchange of incoming and outgoing radiation that warms the

Earth is often referred to as the greenhouse effect because a
greenhouse works in much the same way.

Incoming UV radiation easily passes through the glass walls of a

greenhouse and is absorbed by the plants and hard surfaces inside.
Weaker IR radiation, however, has difficulty pasing through the
glass walls and is trapped inside, thus warming the greenhouse.
 CONSEQUENCES
Global warming

Gas molecules that absorb thermal infrared radiation, in

sufficient quantity, cn force the climate system. These type of
gas molecules are called greenhouse gases

Examples of greenhouse gasses are Carbon dioxide (CO,), water

vapor, methane, nitrous oxide (N,0), etc.

The greenhouse gases act like a blanket, absorbing IR radiation

and preventing itfrom escaping into outer space.

The net effect is the gradual heating of Earth's atmosphereand

surface, a process known as global warming.
 CONSEQUENCES
Melting of polar ice sheets and glaciers
Large ice formations, like glaciers and the polar ice caps, naturally
melt back a bit each summer. But in the winter, snows, made
primarily from evaporated seawater, are generally sufficient to
balance out the melting.

Higher temperatures caused by global warming have led to

greater-than-average summer melting as well as diminished
snowfall due to later winters and earlier springs.

Increased heat is also causingthe massive ice sheets that cover

Greenland and Antarctica to melt at an acceleratedpace.
Scientists also believe meltwater from above and seawater from
below seeping beneath Greenland's and West Antarctica's ice
is

sheets, causing them to move more quickly into the sea.

 CONSEQUENCES
Increase in sea level which results in flooding and erosion
of coastal and low lying areas

The two major causes of global sea-level rise are thermal

expansion caused by warming of the oceans (since water
expands as it warms) and the loss of land-based ice, such
as glaciers and ice sheets, due to increased melting.

Extreme weather

. flooding, forest fires, wildfires, droughts,heat waves

 CONSEQUENCES
- Risk to human health
•increase in number of heat-related and cold
related deaths

- Risk for wildlife extinction

• Loss of habitat and species

- Imposes heavy cost on society and economy

• agriculture, forestry, fisheries, tourism,
infrastructure
To conclude, the changes because of climate
change, include:

Atmosphere and sea-level pressure

Wind fields
Sea ice drift

Melting ice coverings

Change in precipitation patterns
Changes in hydrology
Change ocean current
in

> Water mass distribution

Carbon cycle altered
Biological systems affected
Arctic oscillation
HOW DOES CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECT MALAYSIA?
Malaysia is located near the equator and is
generally rather warm with rainfall throughout
the year with monsoon seasons,

Arctle Oceam Arctie Oeeam

GAEEHLAHO

ASIA
HORTH EUROPE
AMERICA
North Pacilie
North Atlantie
Ocean
Gcean
North Pscilie
AFRICA
Ocean

Indian
MERIra

Soth Atlante AUSTRALIA

South Pacilie
Ocem
Deean

Distrbutonof tropscal ranforest

 Malaysia is a Party to the
POLICY STATEMENT UNFCCC and has ratified the
Ensure climate-resilient development
Kyoto Protocol.
to fulfil national aspirations for
sustainability
Malaysia is already committed
under the UNFCCC to, inter
With climate change, the alia,"formulate, implement,
weather in Malaysia is publish and regularly update
national and, where
getting unbearably hot,
appropriate, regional
We now get torrential programmes containing
rain which is electrifying. measures to mitigate climate
change by addressing
We go from droughts to
anthropogenic emissions by
floods
sources and removalsby sinks
of all greenhouse gases...".
El Nino and La Nina
drishtiias.com/printpdf/el-nino-and-la-nina

El Nino and La Nina are complex weather patterns resulting from variations in ocean
temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific Region. They are opposite phases of what is
known as the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle.
The ENSO cycle describes the fluctuations in temperature between the ocean
and atmosphere in the east-central Equatorial Pacific.
El Nino and La Nina episodes typically last nine to 12 months, but some
prolonged events may last for years.
El Nino is a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in
the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
It is the “warm phase” of a larger phenomenon called the El Nino-Southern
Oscillation (ENSO).
It occurs more frequently than La Nina.
La Nina, the “cool phase” of ENSO, is a pattern that describes the unusual cooling
of the tropical eastern Pacific.
La Nina events may last between one and three years, unlike El Nino, which
usually lasts no more than a year.
Both phenomena tend to peak during the Northern Hemisphere winter.

El Nino
El Nino was first recognized by Peruvian fishermen off the coast of Peru as the
appearance of unusually warm water.
The Spanish immigrants called it El Nino, meaning “the little boy” in Spanish.
El Nino soon came to describe irregular and intense climate changes rather than just
the warming of coastal surface waters.
The El Nino event is not a regular cycle, they are not predictable and occur irregularly
at two- to seven-year intervals.
The climatologists determined that El Nino occurs simultaneously with the
Southern Oscillation.
The Southern Oscillation is a change in air pressure over the tropical Pacific
Ocean.

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 When coastal waters become warmer in the eastern tropical Pacific (El Nino), the
atmospheric pressure above the ocean decreases.
Climatologists define these linked phenomena as El Nino-Southern Oscillation
(ENSO).

Monitoring El Nino and La Nina

Scientists, governments, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) collect data

about El Nino using a number of technologies such as scientific buoys.
A buoy is a type of an object that floats in water and is used in the middle of the
seas as locators or as warning points for the ships. They are generally bright
(fluorescent) in colour.
These buoys measure ocean and air temperatures, currents, winds, and humidity.
The buoys transmit data daily to researchers and forecasters around the world
enabling the scientists to more accurately predict El Nino and visualize its
development and impact around the globe.
The Oceanic Nino Index (ONI) is used to measure deviations from normal sea surface
temperatures.
The intensity of El Nino events varies from weak temperature increases (about 4-
5° F) with only moderate local effects on weather and climate to very strong
increases (14-18° F) associated with worldwide climatic changes.

Oceanic Nino Index (ONI)

The Oceanic Niño Index (ONI), is a measure of the departure from normal sea
surface temperature in the east-central Pacific Ocean, is the standard means by which
each El Nino episode is determined, gauged, and forecast.

Impact of El Nino

In order to understand the concept of El Nino, it’s important to be familiar with non-El
Nino conditions in the Pacific Ocean.
Normally, strong trade winds blow westward across the tropical Pacific, the
region of the Pacific Ocean located between the Tropic of Cancer and the
Tropic of Capricorn.
Impact on Ocean: El Nino also impacts ocean temperatures, the speed and strength
of ocean currents, the health of coastal fisheries, and local weather from Australia to
South America and beyond.
Increased Rainfall: Convection above warmer surface waters brings increased
precipitation.
Rainfall increases drastically in South America, contributing to coastal flooding
and erosion.

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 Diseases caused by Floods and Droughts: Diseases thrive in communities
devastated by natural hazards such as flood or drought.
El Nino-related flooding is associated with increases in cholera, dengue, and
malaria in some parts of the world, while drought can lead to wildfires that create
respiratory problems.
Positive impact: It can sometimes have a positive impact too, for example, El Nino
reduces the instances of hurricanes in the Atlantic.
In South America: As El Nino brings rain to South America, it brings droughts to
Indonesia and Australia.
These droughts threaten the region’s water supplies, as reservoirs dry and rivers
carry less water. Agriculture, which depends on water for irrigation, is also
threatened.
In Western Pacific: These winds push warm surface water towards the western
Pacific, where it borders Asia and Australia.
Due to the warm trade winds, the sea surface is normally about 0.5 meter higher
and 4-5° F warmer in Indonesia than Ecuador.
The westward movement of warmer waters causes cooler waters to rise up
towards the surface on the coasts of Ecuador, Peru, and Chile. This process is
known as upwelling.
Upwelling elevates cold, nutrient-rich water to the euphotic zone, the upper
layer of the ocean.

Previous El Nino Events:

El Nino events of 1982-83 and 1997-98 were the most intense of the 20th century.
During the 1982-83 event, sea surface temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific
were 9-18° F above normal.
The El Nino event of 1997-98 was the first El Nino event to be scientifically
monitored from beginning to end.
The 1997-98 event produced drought conditions in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the
Philippines. Peru and California experienced very heavy rains and severe flooding.
The Midwest experienced record-breaking warm temperatures during a period known
as “the year without a winter.”

La Nina

La Nina means The Little Girl in Spanish. It is also sometimes called El Viejo, anti-El
Nino, or simply "a cold event."
La Nina events represent periods of below-average sea surface temperatures
across the east-central Equatorial Pacific.
It is indicated by sea-surface temperature decreased by more than 0.9℉ for at
least five successive three-month seasons.

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 La Nina event is observed when the water temperature in the Eastern Pacific gets
comparatively colder than normal, as a consequence of which, there is a strong
high pressure over the eastern equatorial Pacific.

The Conditions of La Nina.

La Nina is caused by a build-up of cooler-than-normal waters in the tropical Pacific,

the area of the Pacific Ocean between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of
Capricorn.
La Nina is characterized by lower-than-normal air pressure over the western
Pacific. These low-pressure zones contribute to increased rainfall.
La Nina events are also associated with rainier-than-normal conditions over
southeastern Africa and northern Brazil.
However, strong La Nina events are associated with catastrophic floods in
northern Australia.
La Nina is also characterized by higher-than-normal pressure over the central and
eastern Pacific.
This results in decreased cloud production and rainfall in that region.
Drier-than-normal conditions are observed along the west coast of tropical South
America, the Gulf Coast of the United States, and the pampas region of southern
South America.

Impact of La Nina

Europe: In Europe, El Nino reduces the number of autumnal hurricanes.

La Nina tends to lead to milder winters in Northern Europe (especially UK) and
colder winters in southern/western Europe leading to snow in the
Mediterranean region.
North America: It is continental North America where most of these conditions are felt.
The wider effects include:
Stronger winds along the equatorial region, especially in the Pacific.
Favourable conditions for hurricanes in the Caribbean and central Atlantic
area.
Greater instances of tornados in various states of the US.
South America: La Nina causes drought in the South American countries of
Peru and Ecuador.
It usually has a positive impact on the fishing industry of western South
America.
Western Pacific: In the western Pacific, La Nina increases the potential for landfall in
those areas most vulnerable to their effects, and especially into continental Asia and
China.
It also leads to heavy floods in Australia.
There are increased temperatures in Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and off the
Somalian coast.

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La Nina in 2010

The 2010 La Nina event correlates with one of the worst floods in the history of
Queensland, Australia.
More than 10,000 people were forced to evacuate, and damage from the disaster was
estimated at more than $2 billion.

ENSO and India

El Nino: Strong El Nino events contribute to weaker monsoons and even droughts in
India Southeast Asia.
La Nina: The cold air occupies a larger part of India than the El Nino cold air.
In the ‘La Nina year’, rainfall associated with the summer monsoon in Southeast
Asia tends to be greater than normal, especially in northwest India and
Bangladesh.
This generally benefits the Indian economy, which depends on the monsoon for
agriculture and industry.
It usually brings in colder than normal winters in India.
La Nina influences the Indian subcontinent by piping in cold air from Siberia and
South China, which interacts with the tropical heating to produce a north-south low-
pressure system.
The cold air of La Nina associated with this north-south trough tends to extend
much further south into India.
This is remarkably different from the more northwest-southeast blast of cold air
associated with El Nino.
The pressure pattern going north-south means lesser impact of western
disturbances.
The cold temperature can go down as far as Tamil Nadu, but may not affect
the North East that much.

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