Climate Science

Lecture 7
envp.rempillo@gmail.com

Weather versus Climate

Weather is a condition of the
atmosphere at a particular time
(short term, less predictable)
Climate is the long term average
weather (long term, more
predictable)
Video:
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/cosm
os-a-spacetime-odyssey/videos/weather-vers
us-climate-change/

The climate system

Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
Cryosphere
Land surface
Biosphere

http://www.ipcc.ch/

Cryosphere
Earths ice layer eg. ice sheets of
Greenland and Antarctica,
continental glaciers
important to the climate system
due to its high reflectivity (albedo)
for solar radiation, its low thermal
conductivity
Melting of ice increases sea level,
exposes more ocean and land

Hydrosphere
Waters of the earths
surface
Water cycle affects
earths climate
Ocean currents are
driven by the earths
winds
change in climate
affect the ocean
currents
Ocean absorbs CO2
ANIMATION:
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/cont
ent/visualizations/es2401/es2401page01.cfm?chapter_no=
visualization

Land Surface
Vegetation and soils at the land
surface control how energy received
from the Sun is returned to the
atmosphere.
evaporation of soil moisture requires
energy, soil moisture has a strong
influence on the surface temperature
Roughness of the land surface affects
how wind blows

Biosphere
biota influence the
uptake and release of
greenhouse gases
Also releases trace
gases
E.g. photosynthesis
plays a role in the
carbon cycle
Bacteria plays a role in
sulfur and nitrogen cycle

https://eo.ucar.edu/kids/green/cycles6.htm

Biosphere
Sulfur Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_cycle
tps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfur_cycle

Climate forcing
A climate forcing is any influence on
climate that originates from outside the
climate system itself. The climate system
includes the oceans, land surface,
cryosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere.
Surface reflectivity (albedo)
Human induced changes in greenhouse gases
Atmospheric aerosols (volcanic sulfates,
industrial output)

IPCC Radiative Forcing

http://www.ipcc.ch/

Greenhouse Effect
Animation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3
JX-ioSmNW8#t=
97
Simulation
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation
/
greenhouse

Aerosol Direct and Indirect

Effect
direct effect is the mechanism by which
aerosols scatter and absorb shortwave and
longwave radiation, thereby altering the radiative
balance of the Earth-atmosphere system
indirect effect is the mechanism by which
aerosols modify the microphysical and hence the
radiative properties, amount and lifetime of
clouds

http://www.ipcc.ch/

Climate Feedback
Mechanisms
Positive Feedback increases the
effect
Negative Feedback decreases the
effect

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climatechange/guide/science/explained/feed

Climate Feedback
Mechanisms
Sea Ice Feedback

CO2 uptake in warmer

oceans

http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange1/curre
nt/lectures/Perry_Samson_lectures/feedback_mechanisms

Climate Feedback
Mechanism
Cloud Cover - A warmer climate could cause more water to
be held in the atmosphere leading to an increase in cloudiness
and altering the amount of sunlight that reaches the surface of
the Earth. Less heat would get absorbed, which could slow the
increased warming
Precipitation - Changes in precipitation patterns, such as
increased water availability, may cause an increase in plant
growth, which in turn could potentially removing more carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere
Plants- as temperatures increase the areas in which trees can
grow will extend north to higher latitudes. New trees will
absorb CO2, taking it out of the atmosphere
Melting of permafrost as permafrost thaws, methane
deposits can be released into the atmosphere and present a
risk of runaway warming

Climate Feedback
Mechanism

Exercise
From the mechanism described in the
previous slides, determine if the
mechanism is a positive or negative
feedback
1. Melting sea ice
2. Increased cloud cover
3. Melting of permafrost
4. CO2 uptake in warmer oceans
5. Increased plant growth

ENSO: El Nino Southern

Oscillation
CLIMATIC INDICATORS OF EL NIO IN THE PHILIPPINES
Delayed onset of the rainy season
Early termination of the rainy season
Weak monsoon activity (i.e. isolated short, heavy
downpours)
Weak tropical cyclone activity, i.e.:
Far tropical cyclone tracks
Fewer tropical cyclones entering the Philippine Area of
Responsibility
Less intense tropical cyclones

La Nia is associated with anomalies in rainfall,

temperature, and tropical cyclone activities. La Nia
conditions, on the other hand, favor the formation of
tropical cyclones over the western Pacific, thus increasing
the number of tropical cyclones.

El Nio and La Nia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyPq86
yM_Ic

Announcement
This is our last lecture
Next week be prepared to give your
group presentation
Good luck!