Part A. Greenhouse Gases and Earth’s Energy Budget (15 marks)
Environment and Climate Change Canada – https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange.html
List the greenhouse gases that influence climate on the planet. Describe how each of these influences Earth’s energy budget, including their global warming potential, sources, and contributions to positive radiative forcing. (8 marks)
Why is carbon dioxide considered the most significant contributor to positive radiative forcing? (2 marks)
Describe how humans have affected the biogeochemical reservoirs and pathways of carbon that have contributed to climate change. What evidence exists that supports your answer? (5 marks)
Part B. The Cryosphere and Polar Amplification (15 marks)
What is the meaning of polar amplification of climate change in the Arctic? What is the basis of this phenomenon. (5 marks)
Describe the responses expected in each of the following to Arctic climate change. Be sure to describe how the activity is linked to other positive feedback responses and/or the atmospheric carbon reservoir changes where relevant: (10 marks)
a. Warming permafrost soils
b. Ocean conveyor belt/thermohaline gradient
c. Sea ice and Greenland ice sheet loss
d. Ocean pH
e. Boreal Forests
Part C. Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation (10 marks)
Check out the following websites to assist you in completing Part C of the assignment:
• Carbon Footprint Calculator – http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx
• Cheeseburger Footprint (The Video) http://www.openthefuture.com/cheeseburger_CF.html
• Paris Agreement and Canada – https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/climate-change/paris-agreement.html
Generally speaking, identify and describe 3 strategies that you feel Society needs to adopt to mitigate the effects of climate change. (6 marks)
Governments around the world are now preparing for the impacts of climate change by developing adaptation policies in key areas – e.g., water resources, agriculture, severe weather. Outline 2 Canadian policies addressing future threats of climate change and describe how each will minimize risk to Canadians. (4 marks)
Sample Solution
