Global Weather Phenomena and Climate Change

Monsoon Climates

A monsoon is a large-scale sea breeze system characterized by a semiannual alternation of wind direction between land and sea, rather than daily. This phenomenon significantly impacts regional climates.

Monsoon Seasons

• Northern Hemisphere Winter: When the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) shifts south, a cold continental anticyclone forms over Asia. This system expels cold, dry winds from the northeast across the region.
• Northern Hemisphere Summer: The continental anticyclone weakens, and the ITCZ shifts north over Asia. This change in atmospheric pressure brings significant monsoon rains to India and Southeast Asia.

Tropical Cyclones: Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones

Tropical cyclones are powerful, rotating storm systems known by different names depending on their geographic location:

• Hurricane: Used for storms forming in the Atlantic Ocean and Northeast Pacific Ocean.
• Typhoon: Used for storms forming in the Northwest Pacific Ocean.
• Cyclone: Used for storms forming in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.

Characteristics of Tropical Cyclones

These storms typically have an average diameter of 500 km and revolve around a central, calm area known as the eye of the storm, which is approximately 40 km wide. The distinctive spiral rotation is a result of the Coriolis effect.

Under the eye of the storm, sea levels can rise significantly, creating dangerous storm surges. In addition to their rotation, these storms generally move from east to west. Their typical tracks vary by hemisphere:

• Northern Hemisphere: Often track towards the north and then northeast.
• Southern Hemisphere: Typically move southwest and then south.

Understanding Climate Change

The issue of climate change has been a central focus of international discussions, particularly concerning the impact of human activities on the global environment.

International Climate Efforts

The Climate Change Convention, a key outcome of the 1992 Rio Conference, addressed concerns that uncontrolled resource exploitation and greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from developing nations, would trigger significant climate impacts. A proposed solution involves promoting economic development through the widespread adoption of clean, sustainable, and renewable energy sources. This comprehensive global effort would require substantial financial support from wealthier nations.

Scientific Findings on Climate Change

According to the 2001 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), there is compelling evidence of human influence on global climate change. Key findings include:

• The average global temperature has increased by 0.3-0.6°C since 1900.
• Since 1960, increased heat has contributed to a sea level rise of 10-15 cm since 1900.
• While carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major contributor, other greenhouse gases like methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorocarbons (FCs) also play a significant role.

The Kyoto Protocol (1997)

The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in December 1997, marked the first international attempt to establish legally binding caps on greenhouse gas emissions. Its primary objective was for developed countries to collectively reduce their emissions by 5.2% below 1990 levels by 2012, aiming to stabilize atmospheric concentrations of these gases.

Kyoto Protocol Flexibility Mechanisms

To facilitate emission reductions, the Protocol introduced several flexibility mechanisms:

• Emissions Trading: Allowing countries to trade emission units.
• Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): Enabling developed countries to earn emission reduction credits from emission-reduction projects in developing countries.
• Joint Implementation (JI): Allowing developed countries to earn emission reduction credits from emission-reduction projects in other developed countries.
• Inclusion of Carbon Sinks: Recognizing the role of forests and land use in absorbing CO2.

Further details and implementation specifics were discussed at the World Summit on Climate Change in Buenos Aires.