Global Atmospheric Issues introduction.pptVIP

Sea level changes, 1992-2012 (change in mean sea level in mm). For a map showing current sea level trends click here. Glacial Retreat How would you interpret these observations? Would you be able to extrapolate into the future based on these data alone? Impacts of Global Warming Thermal expansion of the oceans Melting of ice caps Sea level rise (thermal expansion plus ice melt) Climate change, including more extreme weather Floods, 2000: Ranaghat, India (left); Uckfield, Sussex (right) Climate model predictions / feedback mechanisms Feedback mechanisms: moisture (low clouds absorb / high clouds reflect heat) ocean lag (50 year lag due to thermal inertia) thaw of tundra (release of CH4 / CO2) increased CO2 uptake by plants etc. (CO2 fertilisation) increased organic decay rates snow melt decreases albedo and increases absorption of solar radiation etc… International Agreementon Climate Change UN Framework Convention on Climate Change website: Kyoto Protocol requires national commitments and implementation initiatives along with international market-based schemes: Emissions trading – known as “the carbon market? Clean development mechanism (CDM) Joint implementation (JI). First commitment period ends in 2012; new agreement, the Copenhagen Accord, negotiated in Copenhagen, 2009 (COP-15), including emissions targets for 2020 Rapid economic growth in China and India create special challenges for controlling climate change So, the end of the world is nigh ... or is it?! ATMOSPHERIC AND WATER QUALITY AND POLLUTION CONTROL(26-6008-00LA) GLOBAL ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Key Issues Acid Rain (acid precipitation) Ozone Layer Depletion Climate Change (global warming) Drax Power Station Acid Rain - Formation Naturally acid rain: H2O + CO2 = H2CO3 (carbonic acid), pH ~ 6.0 T dissolution of CaCO3 in carbonate rocks (limestones, marble, calcareous? sandstones) H2CO3 + CaCO3 T Ca(HCO3)2 Formation of sulphuric acid (H