LIFESCI 2H03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Keeling Curve, Ocean Current, Sea Level Rise
Document Summary
Changing faster today than throughout most of its history. Land use, deforestation, world"s oceans are all impacted due to human activity. Humans have generated local pollution since they developed agricultural societies. Demise of easter island 700 years ago (picture) Technology of today will cause a lot of damage in the future. Ghg illustrates how it contributes to global warming. This is something that on goes naturally, but we have induced it. Incoming solar radiation is absorbed by the earth"s surface and it is reflected in the form of long wave radiation and some comes through the atmosphere and some is trapped - contributing to the warm climate. The levels of carbon, and methane are much higher than the end of the 18th century. Volcanic activity, decay of organic matter are all natural processes that release carbon dioxide. Layer that blocks uv radiation that can be damaging.