Investigate the origins and current status of the weather observing systems within the British Isles, indicating what developments you regard as being the most important.
Weather Observations - Assignment 1 Investigate the origins and current status of the weather observing systems within the British Isles, indicating what developments you regard as being the most important Weather can be defined as 'The overall state of the atmosphere on a time-scale of minutes to months, with particular emphasis on those atmospheric phenomena that affect human activity.' (Atkinson 2000). Observations of the weather have taken place for thousands of years. The first recorded observer, Lucretius, began studying the weather in 55BC. (McIlveen, 1992). However, the majority of the greatest developments in weather observations have occurred since Victorian Britain. Prior to this period, was perhaps the first major development, which could be considered to have been ahead of its time. It was in the 17th century that the Thermometer was invented, initially as a way of measuring air temperature, before being perfected by Farenheit in the early 18th century. From this initial pioneering advance in weather recording, to the computerised modern-day recordings of weather throughout the world, there have been several notable developments that stand out from other revolutionary discoveries. The earliest records of recorded temperature date from the end of the 18th Century, following the Industrial Revolution however, there came an 'innovative period of instrument
Effects of Climate Change on monsoon in Bangladesh
Climate Variability and Change in Bangladesh The global climate is changing and it is likely to change further over coming decades due to increasing concentrations of 'greenhouse gases' in the earth's atmosphere caused largely by human activities. This will result in greater variations in weather patterns, a greater frequency of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and tropical storms, and gradual rises in average temperatures and sea-levels. Bangladesh is extremely vulnerable to climate change impacts because of its geographical location, high population density, high levels of poverty, and the reliance of many livelihoods on climate-sensitive sectors, particularly rural agriculture andfisheries. These impacts will be falling more heavily on the women and girls of Bangladesh. Climate change therefore threatens both previous achievements and future efforts to reduce poverty in Bangladesh to date, particularly by reducing water and food security and damage to essential infrastructure during more frequent disaster events. Bangladesh has always been vulnerable to climate variability. This is due to its geographical features and location, high influence of monsoon and regional flow patterns, too much water in monsoon and too little water in the dry season, etc. These have significant effects on the socio-economic realities, i.e. population density, inequity
B)Explain why the amount of solar radiation absorbed by the earth's surface varies from place to place and from time to time.
A)Define the terms insolation and albedo. Insolation is a combination of the phrase 'Incoming Solar Radiation'. It is the name for all energy which comes from the sun to the earth. The sun does not give out heat, but energy which is converted to heat when it reaches the earth. The albedo of an object is the measurement of how reflective it is against the sun. Snow will have a high albedo as is it is white and therefore a colour which reflects the sun's rays. Dark coloured surfaces such as a freshly ploughed field or rock will have a low albedo as it cannot reflect heat and will instead absorb it. It is also energy which goes straight back into space without having been converted into heat. B)Explain why the amount of solar radiation absorbed by the earth's surface varies from place to place and from time to time. The sun radiates solar energy which reaches the earth and is converted to heat. The location and time of this reaction, however, is variable due to the shape and tilt of the earth and the fact that it turns. This means that the energy reaches different places at different intensities at different times of day and different times of the year. This is dependent on many factors, not just those to do with the physical state of the earth. The shape, tilt and spin of the earth is the first factor which effects how much energy is absorbed by an area of earth. Due to the
Effects of Hurrricane Katrina
Effects of Hurricane Katrina on people and property. An area the size of the UK was impacted by the hurricane's destruction. Within this was the city of New Orleans in Louisiana that suffered most. Much of the city flooded rapidly as three protective along the lake and river gave way. Over 1000 of the cities 460,000 died, whilst the homes of many were destroyed or severely damaged. Over half a million US citizens became refugees, it was the poor, working class population, often without insurance, who suffered the most. The state population fell by over 8% and within Louisiana, areas outside New Orleans grew in numbers as the city's people fled. In the coastal state of Mississippi 109,000 were made homeless and over 230 died. Housing damage and destruction was widespread and stretched up to 100km from the hurricane centre. At least 100,00 temporary homes were set up across the region.. Services in New Orleans were severely damaged. Even after 6 months after the hurricane there was no functioning sewage system and gas and electricity supplies were unavailable. Agriculture suffered great losses including the death of nine million poultry in Mississippi, while in the same state the dairy industry lost $12 million.. The forestry industry in the region also suffered heavily; over a million acres of forest was destroyed. Due to Katrina, the total financial loss to the timber
Assess the extent to which there are inter relationships between processes in the water cycle and factors driving change in the carbon cycle
Assess the extent to which there are inter relationships between processes in the water cycle and factors driving change in the carbon cycle The water cycle is the continuous process by which water is circulated throughout the earth and atmosphere by evaporation, condensation, precipitation and transpiration. The carbon cycle is an open system but consisting of key sub systems within. These operate as open systems, exchanging and transferring carbon between them and, in doing so affect conditions for all life on earth. The water and carbon cycles are closely intertwined with each other. Both cycles are essential for life on earth. Processes in the water cycle correspond to changes in the carbon cycle. For example, weathering releases carbon back into the atmosphere but it could not happen without water. The water and carbon cycles are both essential for life. Carbon is a fundamental building block of life as all living things contain carbon. All living things also need water to survive. The water and carbon cycle affect most food chains as they are important during the process of photosynthesis in plants which form the base of many food chains. Photosynthesis requires inputs of both the water and carbon cycles. The water and carbon cycles make earths temperatures inhabitable as they regulate the climate. Water is present in the atmosphere as water vapor whist carbon exists
Explain why many scientists believe that human rather that natural causes may be more to blame for recent climate change
AS Geography Rosie Austin Explain why many scientists believe that human rather that natural causes may be more to blame for recent climate change (15 marks). Evidence of recent climate change is unambiguous. It is true that throughout history climate change has appeared to be cyclical, which we can see on a geological timescale, dating as far as 400 thousand years before present. This timescale shows that climate has always fluctuated as part of a cycle and in many years there have been some periods that are even warmer than the present. This scale shows higher than average temperatures on a long-term basis. A medium term, historical timescale also supports this as it clearly displays cooler and warmer periods, such as a medieval warm period from 1000-1400, and the ‘little’ ice age between 1400-1800.This trend occurred even before the industrial revolution. On studying a shorter term, more recent timescale however, it is clear that such a rapid increase in such a short period of time is an unprecedented phenomenon. The period from 1950-2000 in the northern hemisphere was the warmest 50 year period for 1,300 years, more notably so as such a rapid increase occurred in such a short space of time, whereas previously this change has taken place over thousands of years. It was during this period that 11 of the world’s hottest years occurred since 1850.
Describe The Problem Of Global Warming
The Problems With Global Warming Global warming is the greatest challenge facing our planet. It is, in fact, the increase in the temperature of the earth’s neon- surface air. It is one of the most current and widely discussed factors. It has far-reaching impact on biodiversity and climatic conditions of the planet. Several current trends clearly demonstrate that global warming is directly impacting on rising sea levels, the melting of ice caps and significant worldwide climate changes. In short, global warming represents a fundamental threat to all living things on earth. Global average temperature rose significantly during the past century. The prevailing scientific view is that most of the temperature increases since mid-20th century has been caused by increases in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations produced by human activity. Most scientists agree that planet’s temperature has risen 0.5 degree Celsius since 1900 and will continue to increase at an increasing rate. As a result, the world is getting warmer. The year 1990 was the hottest year in the last century. Together with 1991, the years of 1983, 1987, 1988 and 1989 have been measured to be the warmest six years in the last hundred years. The year 1991 was the second warmest year of the past century. The consequences of the rise in temperature is being felt all over the globe the findings of scientific
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Describe the characteristic features of a biome of one tropical region that you have studied [10]
Describe the characteristic features of a biome of one tropical region that you have studied [10] The tropical rainforest biome occupies the area 100 North and South of the equator, where the yearly insolation and precipitation is abundantly high. These conditions provide optimum growing conditions for the flora that thrive in this region. Precipitation is the chief determinant of the overall type of vegetation and thus ecosystem development, however soil nutrients is the main limiting factor to the growth for such tropical vegetation. The climate of this biome is characteristically hot and humid, with an unwavering constant yearly temperature of 270C that rarely exceeds 320C. Despite this, the diurnal temperature can vary as much as 10-150C due to the waxing and waning cloud cover throughout the day. Furthermore the annual precipitation is between 2000-3000mm coupled with a high humidity ranging from 80-100%. Due to the proximity to the equator most areas experience an equal split of day-time and darkness. Although the flora of this biome experience a constant growing season, dry seasons can emerge as the ITCZ migrates after the equinox, resulting in lower rainfall and a subsequent increase in average daily temperatures. The vegetation in this area is thought to be the classic climatic climax vegetation of the planet and due to the biomes long term stability over millions
