Reference no: EM133191216 , Length: Word count: 4 Pages

Assignment Problem: Climate Change, The Arctic Thaw And Canada's Management Through Mitigation And Adaptation

In Part A, you will investigate the concepts and theories of climate and climate change. In Part B (10 marks), you will examine the changes in the cryosphere with a case study of the Arctic ecosystem. In Part C (10 marks) you will investigate climate change mitigation and adaptation through a review Canada's response to climate change and how Canadians are working to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Part A. Greenhouse Gases and Earth's Energy Budget:

Review the concepts of climate, climate change and Earth's energy budget using your textbook, course notes, recommended websites found at the end of Unit 6 and your own independent research. Based on this, answer the following:

Question 1: Earth's climate system includes not only the Sun but also: land surfaces and albedo, water in its three phases, oceans covering much of the planet, and the atmosphere. Explain how each is involved in the climate system.

Question 2: Identify the three most influential greenhouse gases that are contributing to the "warming" effect observed in Earth's climate today. Describe how each of these gasses differs in their global warming potentials, sources, and overall contributions to the warming effect due to volume. Of these greenhouse gases, which is considered the most significant contributor? Explain.

Question 3: Describe how humans have affected the numerous pathways and reservoirs in the carbon cycle that have contributed to climate change. (Hint: To answer this, go back to Unit 2 and the biogeochemical cycle of carbon). Find three examples where positive feedback in the environment is likely contributing more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere that is not a result of human activities. (6 marks)

Part B. The Cryosphere and Polar Amplification:

Question 4: What is the cryosphere and how has this been affected by climate change? Why do scientists describe the changes in the crysophere as a positive feedback in the environment? How has this contributed to the rapid warming/polar amplification in the Arctic?

Question 5: Describe the responses now observed in each of the following and how these will impact Canadians in the future:

a. Arctic permafrost soils

b. Arctic Ocean sea Ice

c. Greenland ice sheet

Part C. Climate Change and Canada's Response:

Check out the following websites to assist you in completing Part C of the assignment:

• Carbon Footprint Calculator
• Cheeseburger Footprint (The Video)

Question 6: Governments are now preparing for the impacts of climate change by developing adaptation policies in key areas. Other key areas include innovations in how we live our lives. Outline the factors that must be considered in devising an effective strategy to minimize risks and vulnerabilities for Canadians in each of the following areas:

a. Water resources

b. Agriculture or forestry

c. Human health

d. Urbanization

e. Northern community development