Climate change; The arctic

THE ARCTIC.

The effects climate change has on the arctic.

Photo credit: Michael Quinn.

“THE WAVE.” What is climate change?

The Earth’s climate is driven by a continuous flow of energy from the sun. Energy in the form of heat, from the sun, passes through the Earth’s atmosphere and warms the Earth’s surface.

As the temperature increases, the Earth sends heat energy (infrared radiation) back into the atmosphere. Some of this heat is absorbed by gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) , water vapour, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and halocarbons.

Photo credit: Michael Quinn.

“CAVE OF LIGHT.�

Why should we be concerned about climate change?

The extent of the sea ice in the Arctic reached a new record low in September 2012. Climate change is melting the sea ice in the region at a rate much faster than estimated by earlier projections. The snow cover also shows a downward trend. The melting Arctic might impact not only the people living in the region, but also elsewhere in Europe and beyond.

Photo credit: Michael Quinn.

“THE STRIPE.” What causes climate change?

Earth is a very special planet – its orbits close enough to the sun to receive a lot of energy, but far enough away not to be scorched.

It is in what you might call the “goldilocks zone”, where the conditions are just right for life as we know it.

To help keep these conditions constant, our planet is wrapped in a layer of greenhouse gases.

This layer acts like a blanket, keeping the earth warm and shielding it from the cold of universe. This is commonly referred to as the greenhouse effect.

Carbon dioxide (CO2), which, while not the most potent greenhouse gas, is nevertheless the main driver of the greenhouse effect.

Photo credit: Michael Quinn.

“PHASE.�

What causes climate change?

When fossil fuels - coal, oil and natural gas - are burnt they release CO2 into the atmosphere.

Because of this the layer of greenhouse gas is getting thicker, which is in turn making the Earth warmer.

Thus the ongoing unlimited burning of fossil fuels is the cause of climate change.

In order to satisfy our endless hunger for energy we are buring unlimited quantities of fossil fuels.

But, this does not have to be the case, thanks to human ingenuity there are now smarter ways to make energy.

“REFLECTION.�

Culprit coal and its influence on climate change.

When fossil fuels - coal, oil and natural gas - are burnt they release CO2 into the atmosphere.

Because of this the layer of greenhouse gas is getting thicker, which is in turn making the Earth warmer.

Thus the ongoing unlimited burning of fossil fuels is the cause of climate change.

In order to satisfy our endless hunger for energy we are buring unlimited quantities of fossil fuels.

But, this does not have to be the case, thanks to human ingenuity there are now smarter ways to make energy.

“THE PASSAGE.�

The impact climate change is having on not only the arctic, but alsoin nature.

As average temperature increases, optimum habitat for many species will move higher up mountains or further towards the Poles. Where there is no higher ground or where changes are taking place too quickly for ecosystems and species to adjust, local losses or even global extinctions will occur.

As climate change wreaks its havoc across the globe, ecosystems could disappear altogether, or they may undergo serious and irreversible changes, such as those happening to coral reefs.

As climate change wreaks its havoc across the globe, ecosystems could disappear altogether, or they may undergo serious and irreversible changes, such as those happening to coral reefs.

“ICE JEWEL.�

The impact climate change is having onre.

When fossil fuels - coal, oil and natural gas - are burnt they release CO2 into the atmosphere.

Because of this the layer of greenhouse gas is getting thicker, which is in turn making the Earth warmer.

Thus the ongoing unlimited burning of fossil fuels is the cause of climate change.

In order to satisfy our endless hunger for energy we are buring unlimited quantities of fossil fuels.

But, this does not have to be the case, thanks to human ingenuity there are now smarter ways to make energy.

AWA REN ESS