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Wh at do Greenhouse Gases Do?. Kevin Czajkowski University of Toledo Kevin.czajkowski@utoledo.edu 419-530-4274. Effect of Earth’s Albedo ( Reflectivity) on Its Temperature. Go to this link: https://ccidev.utoledo.edu/climate/beta/albedo/.
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What do Greenhouse Gases Do? Kevin Czajkowski University of Toledo Kevin.czajkowski@utoledo.edu 419-530-4274
Effect of Earth’s Albedo (Reflectivity) on Its Temperature Go to this link: https://ccidev.utoledo.edu/climate/beta/albedo/
Without an atmosphere, the Earth’s equilibrium temperature is: -18° C (25° F) Why isn’t the Earth frozen? Answer: The Greenhouse Effect
What are the Greenhouse Gases? • CO2 – Carbon Dioxide • CH4 – Methane H20 – Water Vapor • N2O – Nitrous Oxide O3 – Ozone • CFC – Chloroflourocarbons
Let’s explore NASA’s Climate Change Website • Go to this link http://climate.nasa.gov/key_indicators
Questions to Explore • What is the current level of CO2 in the atmosphere? • What was the preindustrial revolution level of CO2? • How has global temperatures changed over the last 100+ years? • What is some other evidence of climate change?
Greenhouse Gases Act Like Plexiglas Plastic Wrap Plexiglas
What Other Human Activities Affect the Climate? • Land use change (urban sprawl) • Condensation Trails (Contrails) • Dust pollution
What Natural Variations Affect the Climate? • Soil Moisture changes (Drought) – months to years • Volcanic Eruptions – several years • Ocean Currents – decades to millennium • Solar Changes – decades to millennium • Orbital Changes – 10s of thousands of years
Kyoto Protocol (1997) • Reduction of emission of Greenhouse Gases by 5.2% below 1990 levels by 2012 • Focus on Developing Countries (China and India exempt) • Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy • Protection and Enhancement of “sinks” • Emissions Trading