Unit 4: Global Challenge

Introduction to Atmospheric Processes

Aim: What is the importance of weather & climate?

Key questions…

What is the difference between weather & climate?

Why is the recording of weather significant?

What effects can weather have on us?

THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

• Weather

The state of the atmosphere at a specific time and at any one place

• Climate

Average weather conditions for a place over a lengthy period of time (30+ years).

Read p.6-8 Global Challenges…1. Study figures 1-4 and write notes on the following for

each: (a) the nature of the weather issue (b) the effects of the weather on human activity (c) why these issues are relevant for geographical study2. “Human beings are at the mercy of weather” –to what

extent do you agree?

We must be aware of the news in geography…• Where are these weather/ climate issues taking place?• Who are they affecting?• At what scale are the impacts felt?• Can they be managed?

New Orleans, USA, September 2005

Heat wave, UK, July 2006

Aral Sea, Central Asia

Hurricane Mitch, 1998

Great storms, UK 1987Famine in drought gripped Southern Africa

Coastal flooding

Forest fires

Fuel prices rise

Increasing number of low-cost airlines

Penguin populations decline by 33% in 25 years as Antarctica’s ice shrinks

You will need to revise and improve your understanding of atmospheric systems to be able to engage with this unit fully…

1. Make notes on structure & composition of earth’s atmosphere (Waugh p.188-190)

2. Read through student notes on isolation & the solar budget

• Is there anything you don’t understand?• Refer to your glossary for unit