Unit 5

How Humans and Climate Interact

Unit Objectives

Upon completion of this unit, TSWBAT:1. Relate our understanding of atmospheric

processes to the human environment.2. Explain solutions to the human-

environmental crisis3. Describe the consequences the environment has on humans and humans have on the

climate and environment

Introduction

• Humans and the environment are impacted by one another each and every second of every day.

• For example, humans are affected by the climate they live in-what type of clothing to wear to what type of work you can do.

• The environment and climate are directly affected by the actions of humans. The cigarette butt you just tossed out the window or the plastic bottle you threw into the Gulf has a huge impact on the environment.

Human-Climate Impacts

• Many of the cities in the United States tend to be microclimates. These are local atmospheric zones in which the climate differs from the surrounding areas. It can be as small as a garden or as large as a valley.

• Is the climate affected by humans? How? What kinds of effects does the climate have on the environment?

• The most important climate modification of urban areas is air pollution.

• There are two types of pollutants:1. Primary pollutants: these may be gaseous or solid, come

from industrial and domestic sources and the internal combustion engines of motor vehicles

2. Secondary pollutants: these are produced in the air by the interaction of two or more primary pollutants.

Microclimate

Global Warming

• According to the latest climate report, global warming is real.

• Do you recall the difference between weather and climate?

• Most scientists do believe that the earth is warming due to the build up of greenhouse gases, caused by human activities.

• The two most threatening causes of global warming is the burning of fossil fuels and the destruction of forests and vegetation.

Climate Changes