Climate Part Deux

Ocean Currents

Currents are moving streams of water in the earth’s oceans.

*Ocean currents are continuously moving in a similar way as winds. Can you guess how they move?

Ocean Currents

* Warm currents move along the equator or from the equator to the poles.

* Cold currents carry cold polar water towards the equator.

Local Winds

• Patterns of wind caused by landforms in a particular area

Sea and Land Breezes

• Land warms and cools quicker than water

Land = Water =

Mountains

Coastal Mountains

• Windward side - moist and often foggy with thick, green vegetation

• Leeward side - dry area facing away from the wind– Rain Shadow

Ex. Sierra Nevada and The Great Basin

The Impact of People on Climate

• Cities are warmer than in rural areas

• Why?

The Impact of People on Climate

• City streets and buildings absorb more of the sun’s rays than do the plants and trees of rural areas.

• People burn fossil fuels for heat, to power industry and move cars

The Greenhouse Effect

• Buildup of certain gases in the atmosphere that, like a greenhouse, hold more of the sun’s warmth

Impact of People - Rain forests

• Rain forests - dense forests near the equator that receive high amounts of rain

Impact of People - Rain forests

• Some people want to clear the forests to sell the lumber or use the land for farming

What is a result of

deforestation?

Impact of People - Deforestation

• Burning of trees releases harmful gases

• If trees are cut, less water will evaporate (transpiration), which means less rainfall.

That’s it for Section 2!