The following HotLinks are divided into the three major concepts you will find in the Energy Flow in Global Systems unit. Click below to jump to a particular topic, or simply scroll down this page.

• 1.0: Climate results from interactions among the components of the biosphere
• 2.0: Global systems transfer energy through the biosphere
• 3.0: Changes in global energy transfer could cause climate change, and impact human life and the biosphere

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Text Pages 340-341

Changes at the Poles - a huge proportion of the world's fresh water is found frozen on the Arctic ocean and the Antarctic continent.

• PRISM: Polar Radar for Ice Sheet Measurement - a NASA funded project to map global ice sheets to track changes in thickness. Note that on the right hand side of the page there are links to movies that describe the ice-measuring technique.
• The National Snow & Ice Data Center - focus on ice and snow coverage throughout the world, including the arctic.
• Stories in the Ice - like having a time machine that can go back 300,000 years.
• The Melting of Antarctic Ice - a short NASA animation of the changes in ice coverage of Antarctica over the past 20,000 years.
• Science and the Environment Bulletin - stay on top of the latest news, courtesy Environment Canada.
• NSIDC - National Snow and Ice Data Center - a great source of info regarding changes at the poles.

Text Page 341

Climate and Tree Growth - not only can you count the rings in a tree's trunk to estimate its age, but you can also learn what each growing season was like over the life of the tree.

• Trees as Indicators of Climate Change - tree rings may not reach as far back in time as ice cores, but they reveal conditions for a specific location for a specific growing season.
• Ultimate Tree-Ring Web Pages - everything you have always wanted to know about dendrochronology!

Text Page 342

SHEBA homepage - a small collection of SHEBA information.

Text Page 342

The Biosphere - unique to the Earth, the biosphere consists of all living organisms and the environments where they exist.

• The Biosphere - general information.
• The Earth's Spheres - biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere.

Text Page 342

The Atmosphere - 500 km of gases that provide a buffer between the Earth and outer space.

• The Earth's Atmosphere - characteristics and composition.
• The Earth's Atmosphere - information plus links to other sites of interest.
• Why is the Sky Blue? - the answer is in the atmosphere!
• Evolution of the Atmosphere - some in-depth information, including comparisons to other planets.
• The Atmosphere - information about the Earth's atmosphere from the perspective of entrants in an around-the-world balloon race.

Text Pages 344-345

The Troposphere - the part of the atmosphere closest to the Earth.

• The Troposphere - general information.
• Tropospheric Ozone - when ozone is found low in the atmosphere, it is regarded as a pollutant.

Text Pages 345-346

The Stratosphere - the layer of atmosphere above the troposphere, where the ozone layer is found.

• The Stratosphere
• Live from the Stratosphere - tons of information from the KAO aircraft that cruises the stratosphere collecting everything it can about this unique layer... and beyond.
• Ozone in the Stratosphere - where it comes from, and why it is important.

Text Pages 345-346

The Mesosphere and Thermosphere - the outer layers of the atmosphere.

• Mesosphere - "middle sphere"
• Thermosphere - "heat sphere"
• The Thermosphere - where the space shuttle orbits the Earth.

Text Page 346

Earth's Lithosphere - the shape of the Earth.

Text Page 346

The Hydrosphere - all the water on Earth.

• Hydrosphere: Global Climate Change - near real-time data on the hydrosphere.
• The Cryosphere - from the US National Snow and Ice Data Center.

Text Page 346

Interactions between components of the Biosphere

• Earth System Science Analysis - a nice system used to describe the interactions between the Earth's spheres.
• Earth System Science Online - a huge collection of information of spheric indicators.
• Earth System Visualization - biospheric visualizations of components interacting with each other.

Text Pages 347-348

Air Temperature and Altitude - increases in altitude can result in large changes in temperature.

The Temperature-Altitude Profile of the Atmosphere - explanation, diagram and helpful mnemonic device for memorizing spheres.

Text Page 348

Inversions - hot air always rises... or does it? Mountains can often contribute to the effect... no, that is not an ocean.

• Temperature Inversions - how temperature inversions occur in Rapid City, South Dakota.
• Inversion - from the perspective of a pilot.
• Temperature Inversion - how hot air can trap pollution in the lower troposphere.

Text Page 349

Climate - 2001 population density map shows a correlation between climate and where Canadians live.

Text Pages 350-351

Climate Affects All Organisms - biodiversity partly comes from changes in climate from region to region.

• Canada's Ecozones - each region is discussed in terms of biodiversity and climatic conditions.
• Climate Change and Wildlife - Canadian and international cases.
• How Animals Adapt to Alberta's Climate Extremes
• WWF Climate Change - the World Wildlife Fund examines climate change on different organisms.
• El Nino Tough on Migratory Songbirds
• Midges Reveal Past Climate - changes to ancient organisms can reveal qualities of the climate at that time.
• Forests: The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change - from the US Global Change Research Program.
• Climate Information on Australia - with a wide range of climates, and of course some excellent examples of biodiversity.

Text Pages 352-354

Global Climate Change - why does the climate change, and what impact might humans have on this change.

• Alberta Environment: Climate Change - information and legislation from the Alberta government.
• The Climate System - a nice overview.
• Climate Change Plan for Canada - from the federal government of Canada.
• CICERO - Center for International Climate and Environmental Research.
• Global Warming: Climate - a fairly balanced view from the US Environmental Protection Agency.
• Inuit Observations on Climate Change - hunters and trappers from Banks Island in Canada's north reveal changes in the local climate.
• Anecdotal Evidence of Climate Change - some sources do not seem to have much credibility, but others may contain vast quantities of knowledge.
• Scientific Evidence of Climate Change - used to support or disprove the theory that climate change is caused by humans.
• IPCC - The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
• The Kyoto Accord - opinions for and against ratification in Canada.
• The PEW Center on Global Climate Change - non-profit, non-partisan and independent.
• Global Climate Change - from the US National Science Foundation.
• Global Warming - a site aimed at the younger audience.
• Bad Meteorology - common misconceptions about weather and climate.
• Crysys - Don't know what the cryosphere is? You will find out here!

Solar Energy and the Earth - what is solar energy, how does it get to the Earth, and just how important is it to the biosphere.

• Energy from the Sun - where all of that solar energy goes that makes it to the Earth, with nice insolation map.
• Solar Energy: From Sun to Earth
• What is the Electromagnetic Spectrum? - information about energy and wavelengths.
• Our Dynamic Sun - facts about the sun and its effects on Earth.
• Interactive Climate Map of the Earth - examine the relationship between climate and latitude.

Text Pages 357-361

Insolation and the Angle of Inclination - the amount of solar energy received by the Earth, and how the angle it strikes the Earth creates the seasons.

• Insolation over the past 750,000 years - a graph showing the changes in solar energy reaching the Earth at various latitudes.
• Earth-Sun Relations - solar energy and its effects on Earth.
• Reasons for the Seasons - the relationship between insolation and the seasons.
• Earth Observatory: Heat and Energy - click on the Heat & Energy link for several interactive comparisons involving the Earth's energy.
• Weather and Climate - includes information on angle of incidence.
• Controls on Temperature - how latitude, and angle of incidence, influences the temperature at various points on the Earth's surface.
• The Earth's Tilt - animation and audio commentary.

Text Page 362

Absorption and Reflection of Energy - where energy is taken in and lost by the Earth.

• Why Isn't Earth Hot as an Oven? - review of solar energy, as well as absorption and reflection of energy.
• Earth's Energy Budget - entry and release of solar energy.
• Earth's Energy Budget - where do we spend all that shine?
• Aerosols - a comprehensive discussion on airborne particles and their influence on climate.

Text Pages 363-364

Albedo - the reflectivity of a surface struck by energy.

• Visible Earth: Global Albedo - map of the Earth and relative reflectiveness.
• Clouds and Radiation - how differing albedo values influence energy transfer.
• Earthshine - we can observe, and measure, the Earth's albedo as it reflects back to us off the moon.
• Measuring Earthshine - images and video of albedo levels of our planet.
• The Dark Side of the Moon - using Earthshine to study the Earth's climate.
• Changes in Polar Ice Concentrations - the albedo effect at the poles.

Text Pages 365-366

The Natural Greenhouse Effect - the Earth's atmosphere, and its contents, provide a natural greenhouse effect.

• The Greenhouse Effect - extensive information.
• Animated Greenhouse Effect - explanation of terms and effects.

Text Pages 367-369

Net Radiation Budget - how much radiation the Earth takes in minus how much is given off.

• Earth Radiation Budget - with illustration.
• Net Radiation and the Planetary Energy Balance
• The Earth's Radiation Energy Balance - nice explanation with analogies.
• Earth Radiation Budget
• Global Climate Animations - starting with net radiation.
• The Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) - NASA website.
• Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (GERB)
• Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) - what ERBE has grown up to become today. Some terrific images and animations as well.

Text Page 370

Thermal Energy Transfer - heat energy always moves from hot areas to cold areas.

• Heat Transfer - illustrated, contains both lab and environmental examples.
• Water in the Atmosphere - water is responsible for much of the movement of thermal energy.

Text Pages 372-375

Effects of Thermal Energy Transfer in the Atmosphere - as heat energy moves, it changes the qualities of the environment.

• Heat Transfer - and how it influences climate.
• Wind - produced by contrasting temperatures or pressures.
• How Pressure Differences Cause Wind - with illustrations.
• Wind - atmospheric origins.
• Winds and the Coriolis Effect - global explanation from an arctic perspective.
• The Coriolis Force - with animations explaining the effect.
• Coriolis Force - explained, with video clip example.
• Bad Coriolis FAQ - this is a complicated topic that has many people confused.
• Global Weather Machine - review of winds, with video of Jupiter's winds.

Text Pages 374-375

Jet Stream - fast-moving strospheric air.

• Inside the Jet Stream - information and animated guide.
• How a Jet Stream influences weather - illustrated.
• Current Jet Stream locations
• Jet Stream Analyses - a collection of information about the Earth's jet streams.
• AVSIM - Aviation weather simulation tutorial - learn how the jet stream affects aviation.

Text Page 376

Thermal Energy Transfer in the Hydrosphere - ocean currents, the hydrologic cycle and climate.

• Global Energy Transfer - scroll down towards the bottom of this page for excellent information and illustrations of concepts such as energy transfer.
• How the Oceans Transfer Heat - with map to illustrate general movement of heat energy in oceans.
• Moderate Coastal Climates - why are inland cities generally cooler than coastal cities at the same latitude?
• Wind-Driven Ocean Currents - of shoes and ships and rubber ducks and a message in a bottle.
• The Ocean and Climate Patterns - video (8.8 MB) review of ocean effects on climate.
• El Nino and La Nina: A Canadian Perspective - how the change in a tropical event can contribute to weather change all around the world.
• El Nino & La Nina
• Open Ocean Deep Convection - where deep ocean water switches places wth warm ocean water.

Text Pages 377-378

Specific Heat Capacity and Climate - how close you are to a body of water can greatly influence your climate.

• Specific Heat - why coastal areas have more moderate temperatures.
• Specific Heat and Urban Heating - why cities are often warmer than the surrounding rural areas.

Text Pages 378-390

Quantity of Thermal Energy, Q - the amount of thermal energy required to change a certain mass of a substance a certain number of degrees.

• Calorimetry - determining the heat absorbed or released during a chemical reaction.
• Specific Heat - with practice problems.

Text Pages 382-383

The Hydrologic Cycle - from NASA.

Text Pages 383-385

Heat of Fusion and Heat of Vaporization - melting and evaporating water.

• Heat of Fusion - of various substances.
• Why Does Water have a higher Heat of Vaporization than Heat of Fusion?

Text Pages 385-388

Calculating Heat of Fusion and Heat of Vaporization - more theory and examples.

• Molar Heat of Fusion - theory, plus examples.
• Molar Heat of Vaporization - theory, with examples.
• Thermochemistry Problems - plus another worksheet.

Text Page 387

How Spraying Crops with Water Helps to Prevent Frost Damage

• Irrigation as a Tool for Frost and Freeze Protection of Agricultural Crops
• Frost Protection with Sprinkler Irrigation
• Cold Protection by Irrigation - the heat of fusion of the sprayed water prevents the crop from freezing.
• Frost/Freeze Protection for Horticultural Crops - very comprehensive information.

Text Page 389

Energy Flow in Global Systems - climatographs give a snapshot of the effects of energy flow.

• Climatographs - practice reading data from Canadian charts.
• How to read a Climatograph
• Interpreting Data on a Climatograph - what can we learn from a climatograph?
• Worldclimate - enter any city name to gather raw data for a climate report.

Text Pages 391-393

Biomes - the biosphere can be divided into several regions that support certain forms of life.

• The World's Biomes - a nice, comprehensive site that splits the biosphere into 5 biomes.
• Introduction to Biomes - this site divides the Earth into 7 biomes.
• Biomes of the World - excellent resources for the world's main biomes.
• Biomes - includes world map showing patterns of biomes following general rules of latitudes and altitude.

Text Pages 394-402

Climate Zones - an area of the Earth with certain relativity predictable moisture and temperature.

• Climate Zones
• World Climates - the relationships between climate and biomes.

Text Pages 394-402

Biomes and Climate Zones in Canada - not only is Canada large, but it has many of the world's biomes and climate zones as well.

• Interactive Climate Map - click anywhere in the world to compare average temperatures throughout a three year span.
• Canadian Temperature and Precipitation
• Ecological Map of Canada - interactive map of Canada's biomes.
• Canada's Ecozones - click on a zone to discover more.
• Regional Climate Maps: Canada - check to see qualities of our climate over the past few months.
• Climate Graphs of Canada - the average temperature and rainfall for many Canadian cities.
• Climate Change Maps - Natural Resources Canada website that attempts to predict future climate changes.

Text Page 401

Wood Buffalo National and Dinosaur Provincial Parks - these beautiful parks have their own unique characteristics.

• Parks Canada - find all sorts of information on Canada's National (and some Provincial) Parks.
• Wood Buffalo National Park - view the movies and try the quiz.
• Dinosaur Provincial Park - this Alberta government site has great pictures and loads of information.

Text Pages 403-405

Climatographs - constructing them and reading them.

• Canadian Climate - a huge database of Canadian climate, a great source for your climatograph numbers.
• Creating a Climatograph - this tutorial contains instructions on how to create a climatograph using a spreadsheet.

Text Page 405

How are Climates affected by local conditions? - why are there such large temperature shifts in Alberta?

• Temperature and Precipitation in Historical Perspective - comparisons across the country.
• Climate Trends - for Canada.

Changes in Greenhouse Gas levels - evidence, trends and predictions.

• Greenhouse Gases - Environment Canada website.
• Changes in Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide levels - measured over the past 50 years in Hawaii.
• Ice Core Timeline - scroll down to see atmospheric gas levels over the past 200 years.

Text Pages 413-416

Greenhouse Gases and Human Activity - we know greenhouse gases can be produced naturally, but how much do humans contribute?

• Greenhouse Gases, Global Climate Change, and Energy - with US estimates of 80% of greenhouse gases being produced by fossil fuel use.
• Human Activity and Climate Change - scroll down for graphs of recent gas emissions.
• The Top 20 Carbon Dioxide Emitters - by total emissions, and per person.
• Earthlights - not only showing where we live on the Earth, but also where we use the most electricity.
• An Alternate Scenario for Global Warming - maybe it would be easier to try to reduce methane emissions instead of carbon dioxide emissions?

Text Pages 415-417

Evaluating the evidence of Climate Change - as good scientists, how do determine which evidence is best, and what conclusions can we draw from what we see.

• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - an unbiased look at climate change.
• The Science of Global Warming - a review of the scientific evidence used to support enhanced global warming.

Text Pages 415-417

Global Warming - what are the effects of humans increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

• Global Warming - from the US Environmental Protection Agency.
• What Evidence suggests Global Warming? - fairly neutral opinions at this site.
• Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
• Effects of the Enhanced Greenhouse Effect - a set of links to sites and articles outlining what effects global warming is or may have.
• Enhanced Greenhouse Effect: Global Warming

Text Page 418

Nature's Atmospheric Detergents - how hydroxyls and nitrates in the air help clean the atmosphere.

• Measuring Molecules - how hydroxyls help remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
• Measuring Hydroxyl Radicals - there are not many, but they remove greenhouse gases quickly.

Text Page 419

Scientific Collaboration on Climate Change - greenhouse gases know no borders.

• Climate Change: The Scientific Basis - a huge collection of models of the Earth's climate.
• Atmosphere General Circulation models (GCM) - closest to a normal weather forecast, but with a much longer range forwards and backwards in time.
• Metlinkinternational Weather Project - a huge collection of information and links to study weather conditions throughout the world.
• Climate Change: Mitigation - coming to a consensus on what policies are best for the Earth's climate.
• Get/View Online Climate Data - a wide range of data can be found on-line.

Text Page 420

Dr. Andrew Weaver - the global warming guy.

• Dr. Andrew Weaver's home page - with a link to the climate modeling group he is a part of.
• Andrew Weaver - page from the School of Earth and Ocean Science website.

Text Pages 421-424

Political Collaboration on Climate Change - the policy makers in government must work together if there is to be changes made for the benefit of the Earth's climate.

• International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) - attempting to integrate international efforts at sustainable development, and includes a Canadian perspective.
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - a framework for co-opertive nations to use to reach greenhouse gas emission targets.
• Kyoto Protocol and Greenhouse Gases - interactive maps showing past, present and future greenhouse gas levels.
• Kyoto in Canada - several viewpoints and multiple sources of information from a Canadian perspective.
• International Finance Commission - all about Kyoto, including what emission credits are, and how they can be traded.
• Trading of Emission Reduction Credits - an attempt to make compliance easier financially, and therefore become more successful.
• Economic Impact of the Kyoto Accord - a negative report from the US Department of Energy.
• Kyoto and its Implications - a nice, seemingly unbiased overview of impacts, both economic and other.
• Economic Impacts of the Kyoto Protocol - even this pro-Kyoto site admits economic impacts will be great, but also argues there are opportunities as well.
• Assessing the Kyoto Protocol - both the good and the bad.

Text Pages 421-424

Reducing Greenhouse Gases - there are many ideas, both old and new, natural and man-made, to reduce the amounts of greenhouses gases produced.

• Carbon Sequestration - many methods are discussed.
• Sequestering Carbon Dioxide for Petroleum Recovery - pumping CO₂ into wells to force out more oil.
• How much Carbon Dioxide do Forests Absorb? - images, animations and theory.
• Fuel Cells - reducing greenhouse gases.
• Renewable Sources of Energy
• 10 Ways You Can Make a Difference - from climatestar.org

Text Page 425

Reducing Greenhouse Gases and Saving Money - is it possible for businesses to be both environmentally friendly and stay profitable?

• Energy Star - an American group which aids businesses in becoming greener without harming their bottom line, with a link for business improvement.
• Calculate Your Footprint - a calculator that shows you carbon impact.
• Power Smart for Business - collections of tips from BC Hydro.

Text Page 425

Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change - as our climate changes, how will our surroundings change along with it?

• If Climate Changes - several impacts of changing climate in North America.
• Early Warning Signs - interactive global map showing early evidence.
• Global Warming Impacts - in the 50 US states.
• What are likely Impacts of Climate Change? - a Canadian perspective.

Text Page 428

Taiga Biome Climate Change - keep your eye on the taiga?

• Early Warning Signs: Plant and Animal Range Shifts and Declines - the taiga is changing, accrding to the Union of Concerned Scientists.
• Taiga Rescue Network - this page on climate change is only a small part of the Rescue Network resource.

Text Page 429

Canada's Action Plan on Climate Change - who contributes the most greenhouse gas emissions, and what plans do we have to reduce these emissions?

• Climate Change Plan for Canada - info on what is being done.

Text Page 430

Impacts of Climate Change in Alberta - everyone would feel the impact of a changing Alberta climate.

• Climate Change in Alberta - scroll down to find areas affected.
• Health - effects on the old, young and those with other illnesses.