Air: Climate and Pollution
What is the atmosphere?
• The atmosphere captures energy selectively
• Evaporated water stores and redistributes heat
• Ocean currents also redistribute heat
Climate changes overtime
• Ice core tells us about climate history
• What causes natural climatic swings
How do we know the climate is changing faster than usual
How do we know that climate change is human caused?
• Why are there disputes over climate evidence?
Interactions between climate and air pollution
• Air pollutants can travel far
• Ozone in the stratosphere is harmed by CFCs
Effects of air pollution.
• Polluted air damages lungs and tissues
• Plants are sensitive to pollutants
• Smog and haze reduce visibility
Air pollution control
• The best strategy is reducing production
• Clean are legislation is controversial