Meteorology 211 - Assignment 4

Meteorology 211
Spring Quarter 2011
Homework Assignment #4


Due Date: Friday, May 27


Answer the following questions based on the assigned reading and classroom discussions.  Answers must be typed. Please use complete sentences.


[For the first two questions, please go back and re-read pages 28-31 in chapter 2 (about ozone).]


1)  What are halocarbons, and what effect can they have on ozone concentrations in the stratosphere?
    
Halocarbons are certain chlorine-, fluorine-, and bromine- containing compounds, which destroy the ozone. The best known compound chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). In the stratosphere UV radiation breaks down CFCs releasing free chlorine atoms. Chlorine then reacts with ozone to form chlorine monoxide (ClO) and ordinary (molecular) oxygen, when chlorine monoxide meets a single oxygen atom, free chlorine forms again.






2)  How would you respond to a person who says: “We have to fix the hole in the ozone layer because it’s letting too much extra heat from the Sun through and is causing global warming.”
   
The ozone is not really a layer, rather similar to clouds that drift. Therefore an “ozone hole” is actually a region of low ozone concentration.






3)  Examine the lower panel (labeled b) on Figure 9.1 on page 176 of the textbook. Notice that the black curve and the blue curve are not in close agreement after about the middle of the 20th century. What does that difference signify?


The difference in the black and blue curve after the 20th century is because anthropogenic forcing was not taken into account and it was roughly the time period in which the industrial revolution and use of fossil fuel was increasing. The models required the input of anthropogenic forcing, specifically those due to greenhouse gases and aerosols.






4)  In class, and in the course module, I refer to “business as usual”. In the context of climate change issues, what does that mean? In your own personal opinion (no right or wrong answers here), do you think human society will continue to do “business as usual”? If so, for how long?

 
The expression “business as usual” refers to society continuing to do the same things they are doing (extreme use of fossil fuels, release of greenhouse gases, etc…) without concern for what is happening (global warming). I think society will continue business as usual as long as they are not being affected directly by it. (out of sight out of mind basically)




5)  What are “emission scenarios”, and why is it necessary to do multiple climate model runs using different scenarios?


“Scenarios are [alternative] images of the future…They are neither predictions nor forecasts. Rather, each scenario is on alternative image of how the future might unfold.” (Mathez 2009, PG 178). It is necessary to do multiple climate model runs using different scenarios because of the widely varying future world.






6)  In general, how are worldwide precipitation patterns expected to change during the rest of this century, based on climate model predictions?




Precipitation patterns are projected to change, with large increase in rainfall in equatorial regions, less precipitation in the mid-latitudes, and somewhat greater precipitation at high latitudes. The changes in precipitation patterns are reflected in the changes in air pressure.