The main gases that make up the atmosphere, nitrogen and oxygen, do not interact with infrared radiation. The flows of radiation in the atmosphere (Figure 1.1) are very important in determining climate. In the process it interacts with the whole climate system-atmosphere, oceans, land surfaces and ice sheets. Aerosols (tiny particles in the atmosphere, some coming from human activities) can increase the reflection of sunlight.Įventually the solar energy absorbed by Earth is returned to space as infrared (heat) radiation. Part of this sunlight is reflected directly back to space by the atmosphere, clouds, and land, ice and water surfaces. The solar energy received by Earth depends on how much the Sun emits and the distance between Earth and the Sun.
#Easy weather change driver
Climate is determined by many factors that influence flows of energy through the climate system, including greenhouse gasesĮnergy from the Sun is the ultimate driver of climate on Earth. Projections of human-induced climate change over decades to centuries are possible because human activities have predictable effects on the future atmospheric composition, and in turn a predictable effect on climate. It requires a consideration of the major forces controlling the river such as changes in rainfall, the operation of dams, and extraction of water. On the other hand, predicting climate is like predicting the flow of the whole river. Similarly, the limit for predicting individual weather systems in the atmosphere is around 10 days.
![easy weather change easy weather change](https://www.climateurope.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/carbon_dioxide_nasa.jpg)
Predicting the weather is like predicting how a particular eddy will move and evolve in a turbulent river: it is possible over short time scales by extrapolating the previous path of the eddy, but eventually the eddy is influenced by neighbouring eddies and currents to the extent that predicting its exact path and behaviour becomes impossible.
![easy weather change easy weather change](https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/860_CCC_roundup.png)
The challenges of predicting weather and climate are very different. In contrast, changes in the long-term statistics of the climate system (climate change) can be predicted if caused by long-term influences that are known or predictable (Box 1.1).īox 1.1: If weather can only be forecast about a week in advance, how can we determine future climate? Short term fluctuations in climate, such as droughts, can be predicted with limited skill from season to season. Weather can be forecast with considerable skill up to about a week in advance.
![easy weather change easy weather change](https://www.mercycorps.org/sites/default/files/inline-images/CC_refugees_org_0718_r2.jpg)
Climate change may be due to natural processes, such as changes in the Sun’s radiation, volcanoes or internal variability in the climate system, or due to human influences such as changes in the composition of the atmosphere or land use. These statistical properties include averages, variability and extremes. Climate, in its broadest sense, is the statistical description of the state of the climate system.Ĭlimate change is a change in the statistical properties of the climate system that persists for several decades or longer-usually at least 30 years. It is influenced by the oceans, land surfaces and ice sheets, which together with the atmosphere form what is called the ‘climate system’. Weather is the state of the atmosphere-its temperature, humidity, wind, rainfall and so on-over hours to weeks.
![easy weather change easy weather change](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/FF74/production/_119869356_ipcc_climat_maps_2x640-nc.png)
Gahlau Climate change is a change in the pattern of weather, and related changes in oceans, land surfaces and ice sheets, occurring over time scales of decades or longer What is climate change? Meteorological variables such as wind, temperature and humidity are measured by instruments attached to balloons and relayed by radio to ground stations on land or on ships.