Climate Resources
Climate Change
Climate change is happening and it is primarily caused by human activity. As we go about our daily lives, the actions we make, the things we buy, the places we go, the food we eat, and our homes and businesses all put greenhouse gases into the atmosphere in some way. As the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increases, changes in the climate occur as a result, which in turn is causing devastating environmental, social, and economic effects.
The Greenhouse Effect
What are Greenhouse Gases?
Greenhouse gases are the gases in our atmosphere that power the greenhouse effect. These gases absorb and emit radiant energy that traps heat from the sun. There are two main kinds of greenhouse gases, nature, and synthetic.
Natural greenhouse gases can be put into the atmosphere from volcanoes, soil, decomposition, animal and human respiration. As well as some human activities that use certain fuels like driving cars and trucks and even heating some homes.
Synthetic greenhouse gases are often combinations of natural gases. They enter the atmosphere as a result of refrigeration, air conditioning, propellants for medical aerosols, blowing agents for foams, solvents, and degreasing and cleaning agents.
Common Natural Greenhouse Gases
Water vapour is one of the most important greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. As part of the hydrologic cycle, water vapour will eventually return to Earth in the form of rain, snow, hail, or other forms of precipitation, making it a crucial component for life on Earth.
Unlike some of the other greenhouse gases, water vapour in itself cannot force changes on climate. Instead, carbon dioxide, other greenhouse gases, and water vapour work together in what is called a positive feedback loop; a process which in this case causes the Earth’s warming to be amplified. As carbon dioxide emissions increase, the resulting temperature increase causes more water to be evaporated, turning it into water vapour. Water vapour is an excellent heat insulator, so as water vapour levels increase, so too does the temperature, causing even more water to be evaporated and repeating the process.
This is why it is so important to limit the amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases we put into the atmosphere. Without the added temperature changes caused by the other greenhouse gases, water vapour’s influence on amplifying temperature changes will not be as severe.
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring greenhouse gas and is produced by many things, including decaying organisms, animal and human respiration, volcanoes, and more. When the sun’s energy hits the Earth, carbon dioxide helps hold it close to Earth in the form of heat.
Unfortunately, human activity has been adding unsustainable quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gasoline. As more carbon dioxide is put into the atmosphere through human activities, more of the Sun’s energy is trapped causing the Earth to warm. These added carbon dioxide emissions from human activities are the most prevalent contributor to climate change.
Methane is a naturally occurring greenhouse gas and is produced by things like underwater decaying plants, wetlands, volcanoes, melting glaciers, and the digestion systems of some animals.
Similar to carbon dioxide, human activity has been adding unsustainable quantities of methane into the atmosphere as a result of livestock agriculture, the burning of fossil fuels, and our solid waste landfills. While methane doesn’t exist in the same quantities as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, it is concerning because it is roughly 25 times more effective at warming the Earth in comparison to carbon dioxide.
Ozone is a naturally occurring greenhouse gas that is found in the atmosphere. Together, atmospheric ozone makes up the ozone layer, which protects us from the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Ozone can be produced by cars burning gasoline or factories, and when found close to the ground as a result of these activities, it acts as a greenhouse gas.
Nitrous oxide is a naturally occurring greenhouse gas produced by the oceans and soil as part of the nitrogen cycle.
Human activity has been adding dangerous amounts of nitrous oxide into the atmosphere as a result of wastewater management, some manufacturing processes, agriculture, and the burning of fossil fuels. Like methane, nitrous oxide doesn’t exist in the same quantities as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. However, nitrous oxide emissions produced by humans are concerning because they are approximately 298 times more effective at warming the Earth in comparison to carbon dioxide.
Common Synthetic Greenhouse Gases
CFCs and HCFCs are a group of synthetic greenhouse gases made from different combinations of hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. Because CFCs and HCFCs are synthetic greenhouse gases, they are not found naturally in the atmosphere. CFCs and HCFCs are powerful greenhouse gases and are prohibited in Canada because of their ability to destroy the Earth’s protective ozone layer.
HFCs are synthetic greenhouse gasses that were made to temporarily replace CFCs and HCFCs. HFCs are considered a temporary replacement because in comparison to CFCs and HCFCs, they stay in the atmosphere for shorter periods of time and are less damaging to the ozone layer. These greenhouse gases are now used in the same applications as CFCs and HCFCs, as well as in building insulation, and fire extinguisher systems. HFCs are considered ‘super greenhouse gasses’, as they are often thousands of times more effective at warming the Earth in comparison to carbon dioxide.
Canada’s Contribution
As a country, Canada produces approximately 1.6% of the world’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. While this may not seem like much, Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions make it one of the top 10 emitters in the world from total emissions perspective, and one of the top 3 in terms of emissions produced per person.
Carbon Calculator
To measure your carbon footprint try this carbon calculator created by the Georgian Bay Biosphere, and learn about way to reduce your contribution to greenhouse gas emissions!
Climate Change FAQ
What is the difference between “climate change” and “global warming”?
Global warming refers to the long-term temperature trend of progressive warming of the planet. Climate change encompasses a much broader range of changes happening around the world in relation to climatic conditions, such as rising sea levels, accelerated glacial melt, more frequent and severe weather events, shifts in habitat ranges, average temperature and precipitation changes, and more. In fact, global warming is one of the many impacts caused by climate change.
How does climate change affect ecosystems?
There are countless ways that climate change affects ecosystems on land and in the water. It’s difficult to say what precise changes will occur, since we still don’t know everything about our ecosystems today. However, what we do know is that our ecosystems will be different. As temperatures and precipitation levels change, habitat and migration ranges will move north and south and the distribution of plants and animals will be different than today. This will have major impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem compositions, functions, and food webs. Climate change will also affect abiotic ecosystem components. For example, reduced ice coverage on Georgian Bay will alter seasonal ice bridges, affecting how animals move across the landscape.
Since climate change is a global issue, do my actions matter?
Yes, the actions of all individuals matter. The greatest contribution to climate change comes from the greenhouse gas emissions that are produced when we use energy. By changing the types of energy we use, our consumer behaviours, and reducing the amount of emissions we each produce, we can all have a positive impact on climate change.
How can we know what the future climate will be, if I don’t know what next week's weather will be?
Although weather predictions are improving in accuracy, it is difficult to predict weather far in advance because weather is complex and dynamic. Factors from today’s weather will influence tomorrow’s weather, which will then influence the following day’s weather and so on and so forth. As we look further into the future, trying to understand the growing number of factors and uncertainties makes it increasingly difficult to accurately predict weather. Climate models, on the other hand, don’t predict day-to-day weather. Rather, climate models look at weather experienced in the past to build average trends that suggest what environmental conditions we can expect in the future. To give an example, we don’t know what the precise temperature will be on any given day in the Georgian Bay Biosphere region in 50 years. However, by averaging the weather we have experienced in the past, the trend produced by climate models tells us that the temperature will be warmer than it is today.
Do scientists agree on climate change?
Yes, over 97% of actively publishing climate scientists agree that climate change is happening and that human activity is the primary cause.
How to Help:
- Get involved in the GBYCC! We actively work to bring climate action initiatives to our community through the programs, and events we host, and the content we publish. If you are interested in our volunteer opportunities, fill out this form to get involved!
- Practice Sustainability: Making little changes in your daily habits is a great step in improving your carbon footprint. To learn more about how to practice sustainable living check out this GBYCC blog!
- Educate yourself: Making a difference begins with understanding the cause. Spend time researching the issue and how it impacts local and global communities. Deepening your knowledge on the complex subject of climate change builds a strong foundation that is needed for effective change and powerful advocacy.
Interesting Climate Websites to Check Out ↓
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