Artificial Climate Changes
Today people and their actions are contributing to the dramatic climatic changes that we have begun to see occurring.
The atmosphere is where all the weather occurs; therefore anything that happens to the atmosphere will affect the weather and the long-term climatic conditions.
Pollution is a major contributor to artificial climate change. Unnatural gases and particles being released into the atmosphere affect rain, sun rays and the general health of the air.
The atmosphere is where all the weather occurs; therefore anything that happens to the atmosphere will affect the weather and the long-term climatic conditions.
Pollution is a major contributor to artificial climate change. Unnatural gases and particles being released into the atmosphere affect rain, sun rays and the general health of the air.
Fossil Fuels & Pollution
Fossil fuels are natural products that can be burned to provide energy. Coal, oil and gas are the Earth's most popular fossil fuels. When they are burned, cars are able to run and electrical power is produced for our homes, schools and workplaces electricity.
The result of this burning is the release of large amounts of gas and particles into the air. As these particles are not desired elements in the air, they are known aspollutants. Air pollution is the contamination of the air through the burning of large quantities of fossil fuels. Pollutants in the air can change its colour from clear to brown. The most noticeable air pollution is smog which is most often seen as a layer of discoloured air across a city.
Pollutants in the air can produce serious environmental issues and contribute to weather and climate changes. The major concerns include:
The result of this burning is the release of large amounts of gas and particles into the air. As these particles are not desired elements in the air, they are known aspollutants. Air pollution is the contamination of the air through the burning of large quantities of fossil fuels. Pollutants in the air can change its colour from clear to brown. The most noticeable air pollution is smog which is most often seen as a layer of discoloured air across a city.
Pollutants in the air can produce serious environmental issues and contribute to weather and climate changes. The major concerns include:
- the ability of pollutants to trap too much heat in the atmosphere;
- the mixture of gases with moisture in the atmosphere which produces damaging acid rain;
- the increase in unnatural ozone levels; and
- the presence of particles in the atmosphere which block sunlight.
Acid Rain
Acid rain is rain that becomes polluted as it falls through the atmosphere. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide are released into the atmosphere as a waste product from several sources, including:
Acid rain can be very harmful. Forests, crops, rivers, lakes, animals, humans, buildings and statues can all be damaged by the polluting outcomes of acid rain. Trees, crops and forests can be greatly affected by acid rain as they absorb the water to stay alive. The acid in this water can make trees lose their leaves or needles, turn foliage brown, stunt growth and damage bark and leaves.
- the burning of fossil fuels (which creates energy);
- from coal fired generators (which creates electricity);
- from the furnaces of steel works; and
- from cars that use petrol.
Acid rain can be very harmful. Forests, crops, rivers, lakes, animals, humans, buildings and statues can all be damaged by the polluting outcomes of acid rain. Trees, crops and forests can be greatly affected by acid rain as they absorb the water to stay alive. The acid in this water can make trees lose their leaves or needles, turn foliage brown, stunt growth and damage bark and leaves.
The Greenhouse Effect
Ozone
Ozone is a gas that can be found in the lower levels of the atmosphere (stratosphere). There are two types of ozone - good and bad. The good ozone is found higher in the atmosphere and protects Earth from some of the sun's dangerous ultraviolet rays. The bad ozone, found in the stratosphere, is a by-product of factories and cars. Ozone traps heat in the atmosphere and increases the greenhouse effect and therefore affects the weather conditions on Earth. |
Some gases can allow the sun's rays through but stop them from bouncing back into space, therefore increasing the temperatures on Earth. This is known as the greenhouse effect.
The natural greenhouse effect occurs when some of the sun's energy is naturally trapped in the atmosphere, keeping us warm and alive. Some scientists believe that air pollution is increasing the greenhouse effect, therefore increasing temperatures on Earth. Increased temperatures (global warming) threaten to melt the icecaps which store most of the Earth's fresh water. It is also claimed to have raised sea levels globally and has increased air temperatures around the world. So what are the consequences of this hotter weather? If global warming continues to occur, drought will become a greater problem and many more farms will dry up, affecting food production. Polar ice will melt, increasing the amount of water in the oceans and increasing sea levels. Increased water and sea levels will also lead to permanent flooding in some areas. |
Particulates
Particulates are tiny, solid or liquid particles that are found in the atmosphere. Some of these are natural (dirt, sand, leaf matter) but the rest are unnatural and a result of burning garbage. These pollutants can affect the weather by interfering with the sun's rays. Particulates are different from other pollutants that trap heat. Instead they reflect the sun's rays out to space, therefore reducing the amount of heat that reaches the Earth's surface. This interferes with weather, as the sun plays a major role in producing different weather conditions. This is sometimes known as global dimming.
Particulates are tiny, solid or liquid particles that are found in the atmosphere. Some of these are natural (dirt, sand, leaf matter) but the rest are unnatural and a result of burning garbage. These pollutants can affect the weather by interfering with the sun's rays. Particulates are different from other pollutants that trap heat. Instead they reflect the sun's rays out to space, therefore reducing the amount of heat that reaches the Earth's surface. This interferes with weather, as the sun plays a major role in producing different weather conditions. This is sometimes known as global dimming.