Identify the three most influential greenhouse gases that are contributing to the warming effect observed in Earth’s climate today.
Part A. Greenhouse Gases and Earth’s Energy Budget (20 marks)
Review the concepts of climate, climate change and Earth’s energy budget using your textbook, course notes, recommended websites found at the end of Unit 6 and your own independent research. Based on this, answer the following:
1. Earth’s climate system includes not only the Sun but also: land surfaces and albedo, water in its three phases, oceans covering much of the planet, and the atmosphere. Explain how each is involved in the climate system.(4 marks)
2. Identify the three most influential greenhouse gases that are contributing to the “warming” effect observed in Earth’s climate today. Describe how each of these gasses differs in their global warming potentials, sources, and overall contributions to the warming effect due to volume. Of these greenhouse gases, which is considered the most significant contributor? Explain. (10 marks)
3. Describe how humans have affected the numerous pathways and reservoirs in the carbon cycle that have contributed to climate change. (Hint: To answer this, go back to Unit 2 and the biogeochemical cycle of carbon). Find three examples where positive feedback in the environment is likely contributing more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere that is not a result of human activities. (6 marks)
Answer preview to identify the three most influential greenhouse gases that are contributing to the warming effect observed in Earth’s climate today.
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