Climate, first of all, is the average of weather in a specific region over a long period of time.
Factors that affect climate include latitude, large bodies of water, the presence of ocean and air currents, land formations, and the height above sea level.
Our climate system is a complex set of components that interact together to produce climate. These components include out atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and living things.
Multiple causes of climate change have been discovered and analyzed throughout Earth's history. One very well-known contributing factor includes the Greenhouse Effect. This effect occurs when gases and clouds absorb infrared radiation emitted from Earth's surface and radiate it; thus heating our atmosphere and surface. The Greenhouse Effect plays a major role in the overall warming of our average global temperature. The most dominant greenhouse gases currently include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and water vapour; all coming from various natural and human sources.
A similar effect that results in the increase of our average global temperature includes the Albedo Effect. This positive feedback loop involves the increase of temperature causing the ice to melt, allowing more radiation to be absorbed, and ultimately, warming the Earth's surface.
Although climate change is an international issue, Canada is a large contributor to these changes, as we emit more greenhouse gases than most individuals worldwide. In fact, Alberta and Ontario are our two largest provincial producers. Reasons for Canada's emissions include the production and usage of energy, transportation, agriculture, industrial processes, waste management, land use, and forestry. Specifically, our forests (when healthy!) act as carbon sinks to absorb and store carbon. However, due to insect damage, wildfires, and deforestation, Canadian forests have been becoming more of carbon sources.
By using climate projections, scientists can predict the details of our future climate based on their observations and computer models. However, it is difficult for scientists to be sure of just how quickly our climate will respond to the greenhouse gases. In addition, uncertainties regarding humans decisions also contribute to its difficulty; one must make assumptions and display their data in various scenarios when attempting to make accurate estimations. Factors to consider when doing so include populations, technologies, and energy sources.
Evidence of climate change on our Earth include rising temperatures, melting glaciers/ice sheets/sea ice, rising sea/lake level, changes in severe weather, changes in precipitation patterns, changing seasons, changing ecosystems, and diseases/illnesses associated with drastic climate change. These pieces of evidence are expected to continue to occur in the future if nothing is done to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and our changing climate.
Although the government has commenced several plans, such as Kyoto Protocol (2002), Turning the Corner (2007), and Go Green: Ontario's Action Plan (2007), there are multiple easy ways that both individuals and families can also participate in to build a cleaner climate and environment for the future. These include simply using less fuel by driving less or investing in hybrid cars, using more efficient equipment through better technologies, recycling, installing better installation, restoring polluted land, limiting the usage of excessive water and heat, using less nitrogen fertilizers, composting organic waste, replacing cut-down trees, reducing deforestation, using clean energy sources, and planting forests.
Finally, prepare yourself: our society is capable of adapting to climate change by planning for these changes and becoming more knowledgable regarding the complex issue of climate change.
Taking action provides many benefits to our society, including the protection of people's health, environment, and traditional activities. Other major benefits include saving money, and improving your city/town. After all, humans are responsible for global warming, meaning that we must take responsibility to change it!
So, what are you waiting for... LET'S CHANGE CLIMATE CHANGE!
Factors that affect climate include latitude, large bodies of water, the presence of ocean and air currents, land formations, and the height above sea level.
Our climate system is a complex set of components that interact together to produce climate. These components include out atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and living things.
Multiple causes of climate change have been discovered and analyzed throughout Earth's history. One very well-known contributing factor includes the Greenhouse Effect. This effect occurs when gases and clouds absorb infrared radiation emitted from Earth's surface and radiate it; thus heating our atmosphere and surface. The Greenhouse Effect plays a major role in the overall warming of our average global temperature. The most dominant greenhouse gases currently include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and water vapour; all coming from various natural and human sources.
A similar effect that results in the increase of our average global temperature includes the Albedo Effect. This positive feedback loop involves the increase of temperature causing the ice to melt, allowing more radiation to be absorbed, and ultimately, warming the Earth's surface.
Although climate change is an international issue, Canada is a large contributor to these changes, as we emit more greenhouse gases than most individuals worldwide. In fact, Alberta and Ontario are our two largest provincial producers. Reasons for Canada's emissions include the production and usage of energy, transportation, agriculture, industrial processes, waste management, land use, and forestry. Specifically, our forests (when healthy!) act as carbon sinks to absorb and store carbon. However, due to insect damage, wildfires, and deforestation, Canadian forests have been becoming more of carbon sources.
By using climate projections, scientists can predict the details of our future climate based on their observations and computer models. However, it is difficult for scientists to be sure of just how quickly our climate will respond to the greenhouse gases. In addition, uncertainties regarding humans decisions also contribute to its difficulty; one must make assumptions and display their data in various scenarios when attempting to make accurate estimations. Factors to consider when doing so include populations, technologies, and energy sources.
Evidence of climate change on our Earth include rising temperatures, melting glaciers/ice sheets/sea ice, rising sea/lake level, changes in severe weather, changes in precipitation patterns, changing seasons, changing ecosystems, and diseases/illnesses associated with drastic climate change. These pieces of evidence are expected to continue to occur in the future if nothing is done to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and our changing climate.
Although the government has commenced several plans, such as Kyoto Protocol (2002), Turning the Corner (2007), and Go Green: Ontario's Action Plan (2007), there are multiple easy ways that both individuals and families can also participate in to build a cleaner climate and environment for the future. These include simply using less fuel by driving less or investing in hybrid cars, using more efficient equipment through better technologies, recycling, installing better installation, restoring polluted land, limiting the usage of excessive water and heat, using less nitrogen fertilizers, composting organic waste, replacing cut-down trees, reducing deforestation, using clean energy sources, and planting forests.
Finally, prepare yourself: our society is capable of adapting to climate change by planning for these changes and becoming more knowledgable regarding the complex issue of climate change.
Taking action provides many benefits to our society, including the protection of people's health, environment, and traditional activities. Other major benefits include saving money, and improving your city/town. After all, humans are responsible for global warming, meaning that we must take responsibility to change it!
So, what are you waiting for... LET'S CHANGE CLIMATE CHANGE!