738climatechange.docx

climate change, the arctic thaw and climate change mitigation and adaptation

Assignment 3 is worth 60% toward your grade in this course. This assignment provides you with opportunity to investigate the concepts and theories associated with Earth’s energy budget and how positive radiative forcing leads to climate change in Part A (worth 20 marks); a case study of accelerated and most pronounced changes in the Arctic in Part B (worth 20 marks); and lastly Part C (worth 15 marks) in which you consider factors that must be taken into consideration and action that individuals and countries will need to adopt to address the adverse effects of climate change. You also consider how the federal government is responding to climate change and developing policies to reduce the risk factors for Canadians.

In completing the assignment, be sure to provide reference sources for your information to avoid plagiarism by using a standard citation system

Part A.  Greenhouse Gases and Earth’s Energy Budget (20 marks)

Environment and Climate Change Canada - https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange.html

1.   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. (10 marks)

2.   Why carbon dioxide is considered the most significant contributor to positive radiative forcing? (2 marks)

3.   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? (8 marks)

Part B.   The Cryosphere and Polar Amplification (20 marks)

1. What is the meaning of polar amplification of climate change in the Arctic? What is the basis of this phenomenon? (5 marks)

2. 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: (15 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 (15 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

1. Generally speaking, identify and describe 3 strategies that you feel Society needs to adopt to mitigate the effects of climate change. (10 marks)
2. 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, and severe weather. Outline 2 Canadian policies addressing future threats of climate change and describe how each will minimize risk to Canadians. (5 marks)