Components Of Climate Change Essay

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Components of the Climate System

Interactions of the components as they absorb and radiate energy

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Atmosphere

Reflects much of the energy that hits the earth (30%)
Traps much of the radiation that gets to the earth’s surface; warms the earth.
      Important:  
  * Warms the earth
  * Prevents most of the harmful UV radiation from the sun from reaching us.
  * How? – Upper reaches of atmosphere (stratosphere) 14-50 km above the surface. Here is where we find the ozone (O3). What happens is that the O2 will absorb UV radiation which causes it to split into 0 + O (oxygen atoms)
-the O atoms can combine with O2 to form O3 (and that makes ozone)
-O3 also absorbs UV radiation and splits O2 and O atoms *continual destruction and reforming of O3 and absorption of UV radiation during the reactions prevents mist UV from reaching the surface.
  * CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)- chemicals found in aerosols and refrigerants can destroy ozone –this will allow more UV through   (today: CFCs are now outlawed)

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Major Landforms

i.e. mountains chains will affect climate i.e. “rain shadow”
-Warm wet air cannot get over mountains, and will drop its moisture on one side of the range; the far side will be dry.

Himalayas:
A profound effect on the Indian subcontinent and surrounding regions
Block the cold air from the north, so India is much warmer than it “should” be
Also blocks monsoon winds that would take rain northwards
So parts of India get much more rain than they otherwise would
Largest amount of glaciers and ice in the Himalayas outside the Polar Regions.
Large bodies of water –will affect the climate in the regions near them
                                       
Energy Transfer (70% of energy)
Air and Ocean...