is important to the evolution of life on Earth and the continued health and survival of life on Earth

is caused by anthropogenic factors, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and natural factors, such as the melting of ice crystals in the atmosphere at the beginning of the Antarctic spring

it increases the UV rays that reach the Earth's surface

can lead to skin cancer and cataracts (eye damage) in humans

A family of organic compounds whose properties make them ideal for use in refrigeration, air-conditioning, and aerosols; cause ozone depletion

chlorine atoms contained in the compounds are highly reactive; they interact with Ozone (O3) by stripping off one Oxygen molecule, leaving behind O2.

by replacing ozone-depleting chemicals with substitutes that do not deplete the ozone layer such as Hydrofluorocarbons (HCFs)

have a high Global Warming Potential and are thousands of times more powerful as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide

carbon dioxide

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it doesn't contribute significantly to global climate change because it has a short residence time in the atmosphere (weighs more than gas)

GWP of 1; is used as a reference point for the comparison of different greenhouse gases and their impacts on global climate change

chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are over 10,000x as strong as CO2

the greenhouse effect results in the surface temperature necessary for life on Earth to exist but trapping in heat which would otherwise escape in the absence of the sun

25 times that of Carbon Dioxide

rising sea levels, melting ice sheets, increased ocean temperatures and acidity, spreading of disease from the tropics toward the poles, melting permafrost, increased atmospheric temperatures

Carbon Dioxide data and ice cores

newly created habitats on now-flooded continental shelves

deeper communities that may no longer be in the photic zone of seawater

can change circulation patterns, as temperature changes may impact Hadley cells and the jet stream

they are considered the ocean conveyor belt and carry heat throughout the world; changing currents can have a big impact on global climate, especially in costal regions

changing temperatures and amount of rainfall can impact soil's viability and potentially increase erosion

Earth's polar regions are showing faster response times to global climate change

ice and snow in these regions reflect the most energy back out to space, leading to a positive feedback loop

less solar energy is radiated back into space and instead is absorbed by the Earth's surface. this in turn causes more warming of the polar regions

positive feedback loops involving melting sea ice and thawing tundra, and subsequent release of greenhouse gases like methane

the ability of a surface to reflect away solar radiation; measured from 0 to 1 with 0 being a pitch black surface (0% reflected) and 1 being a completely white surface (100% reflected)

the effect on species that depend on the ice for habitat and food

the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

loss of habitat, and metabolic and reproductive changes; may displace some species and cause them to migrate in new patterns

caused by increased ocean temperatures; causes algae within corals to die and the corals bleach white; some corals recover and some die

the decrease in pH of the oceans, primarily due to increased carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere

CO2 + H2O -> (H+) + (HCO3-); Water and carbon dioxide combine to form carbonic acid (H2CO3), a weak acid that breaks (or "dissociates") into hydrogen ions (H+) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3-).

absorb a large part of that carbon dioxide and become more acidic

scale with values from 0 to 14, used to measure the concentration of H+ ions in a solution; a pH of less than 7 is acidic, a pH of 7 is neutral, and a pH of greater than 7 is basic

derived from human activities

lead to increased carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere: burning of fossil fuels, vehicle emissions, and deforestation

acidification makes it difficult for them to form shells, due to the loss of calcium carbonate

species that can live and sometimes thrive, outside of their normal habitat; they can sometimes be beneficial but they are considered invasive when they threaten native species

generalists; they thrive in a variety of habitats and can survive off a variety of foods

r-selected; they reproduce frequently and produce a large amount of offspring when they do reproduce; therefore they may outcompete native species for resources

Mechanically (physically removing),

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kudzu vine,

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being extensively hunted,

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species that are able to adapt to changes in their environment (resilient) or that are able to move to a new environment

any factors that change the behaviors and fitness of organisms within an environment

species in a given ecosystem compete for resources like territory, food, mates and habitat

criminalizing poaching, protecting animal habitats, and legislation

Habitat destruction, Invasive (nonnative) species;

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occurs when large habitats are broken into smaller, isolated areas

include the construction of roads and pipelines, clearing for agriculture or development, and logging

changes in temperature, precipitation, and sea level rise

some organisms have been somewhat or completely domesticated and are now managed for economic returns, such as honeybee colonies and domestic livestock

can reduce the biodiversity of that species

creating protected areas, use of habitat corridors, promoting sustainable land use practices and restoring lost habitat

protected strips of land that allow the migration of organisms from one wilderness area to another

process of bringing a damaged habitat back to a healthy condition