Abstract
The term climate refer to the average weather over a long period of time, which, based on the recommendations of the World Meteorological Organization, is 30 years. Weather is described by a set of local parameters such as the earth surface temperature, humidity, precipitation level, wind speed, and so on; nevertheless, the temperature is the most significant one. Global climate is also mainly defined by the average earth temperature, for which the currently adopted value is 15°C. The temperature of the earth is a consequence of the thermal radiation energy balance among the earth, the sun, and the extraterrestrial space.
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- C :
-
Concentration, ppm
- F :
-
Radiative forcing, W/m2
- GWP:
-
Global warming potential
- m :
-
Mass, kg
- S :
-
Average solar radiation intensity, W/m2
- t :
-
Time, s
- T :
-
Temperature, K
- α :
-
Absorption
- γ:
-
Climate sensitivity factor
- τ:
-
Time constant, s
- σ:
-
Stefan-Boltzmann constant, 5.67 × 10−8 W/m2K4
- 0:
-
Initial
- a:
-
Troposphere
- abs:
-
Absorption coefficient
- albedo:
-
Albedo factor
- e:
-
Emitted
- eqv:
-
Equivalent
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Study Questions/Problems
Study Questions/Problems
-
3.1
Explain the process of global warming.
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3.2
Define the term albedo and explain the features of the earth’s albedo. Refer to Eqs. (3.1) and (3.2).
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3.3
In what wavelength range is the greenhouse gas absorption in the atmosphere at the maximum.
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3.4
List the principal four greenhouse gases.
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3.5
Using Eq. (3.4), calculate the reduction ratio m/m 0 of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere after 100 years.
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3.6
Define the radiative forcing concept.
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3.7
Define the climate sensitivity factor.
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3.8
Define the global warming potential and the method of calculating it.
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3.9
Explain the anthropogenic influence on climate and comment on the impact of the main sectors of activity.
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3.10
By using linear extrapolation, predict the earth’s temperature increase in 2020, using the data from years 1980 to 2000 (you can refer to Fig. 3.7).
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3.11
How can one control the anthropogenic effects on climate?
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3.12
Using literature data, calculate the radiative forcing effects caused by greenhouse gas emissions by passenger aircrafts.
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Dinçer, İ., Zamfirescu, C. (2011). Global Warming and Climate Change. In: Sustainable Energy Systems and Applications. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-95861-3_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-95861-3_3
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