Earth and Space Science - Climate Change and Global Warming

The Greenhouse Effect is a natural process where greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), methane ($CH_4$), and nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) trap long-wave infrared radiation re-radiated from the Earth's surface, maintaining a temperature suitable for life.

Global Warming refers specifically to the rise in global temperatures due to an increase in the concentration of GHGs from anthropogenic (human) activities, such as the combustion of fossil fuels and deforestation.

The Albedo Effect describes the reflectivity of a surface. Ice and snow have a high albedo (reflecting more solar radiation), while dark oceans have a low albedo (absorbing more heat). Melting ice creates a positive feedback loop: $\downarrow$ ice $\rightarrow$ $\downarrow$ albedo $\rightarrow$ $\uparrow$ heat absorption $\rightarrow$ $\uparrow$ melting.

Ocean Acidification occurs when excess $CO_2$ dissolves in seawater, reacting to form carbonic acid ($H_2CO_3$), which lowers the $pH$ and harms marine organisms like coral reefs and shellfish by reducing the availability of carbonate ions ($CO_3^{2-}$).

Evidence for climate change includes ice core data (analyzing air bubbles trapped for thousands of years), sea-level rise measured in $mm/year$, and the retreating of glaciers globally.

Mitigation strategies involve reducing the sources of GHGs (e.g., transitioning to $solar$ or $wind$ energy), while adaptation involves adjusting to the changes (e.g., building sea walls or developing drought-resistant crops).