Examine the extent to which the enhanced greenhouse effect contributed to the Southern European heatwave of July 2023.
You should focus on how several Earth system elements are thought to have combined to cause the event. You must use at least one annotated diagram in your answer. This can be a diagram to show the links between several elements (as in the lecture slide below), or to show a detailed explanation of one specific element (e.g. the contribution from anomalous North Atlantic Ocean warmth, or a feedback diagram to show the contribution of soil moisture deficits in Southern Europe). You may produce your own diagram, using Word, PowerPoint or other software. Alternatively, you may use an image from a published source, but you must add your own annotations to it. The labels in your diagram are included in the word count, so think carefully about how to distribute the amount of text in your diagram and in your paragraphs. You should also use other non-annotated diagrams, graphs or data from credible sources to support your answer.
Hint: focus on the climate-related elements of the Earth system, as summarised in the slide below from the introductory climate change lecture. The slide also shows how to include references to support your annotations. You may include the lecture slide in your report, but this must not be submitted as your annotated example.
(i) Using a labelled feedback diagram, explain how the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) currently performs a negative feedback role in the Earth’s climate system.
(ii) Explain why a continued increase in global mean surface temperature (GMST) may cause the AMOC to cross a tipping point, to become a source of positive feedback in the Earth’s climate system during the 21st century.
Hint: your lecture notes from week 2 explain the AMOC as a negative feedback source and contain examples of how a feedback diagram should be set out. Aim to write 500 words for each part of this question. The labels in your diagram are included in the word count, so think carefully about how to distribute the amount of text between your diagram and your paragraphs. You may use an annotated diagram and / or feedback diagram in part (ii) if you wish, and your answers to parts (i) and (ii) should be supported by other non-annotated diagrams, graphs, or data from credible sources.
Your answer will be assessed on the following criteria. You can see these in the climate change marking grid at the end of this assignment brief:
For question 1, the effective use of at least one relevant annotated diagram. For question 2, the effective use of at least one labelled feedback diagram. Both diagrams must support the explanations given in the paragraphs.
Accurate explanation of Earth system processes.
The relevance and credibility of sources used to support your answer.
Standards of literacy, presentation and referencing.
(i) Using a labelled feedback diagram, explain how the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) currently performs a negative feedback role in the Earth’s climate system.
(ii) Explain why a continued increase in global mean surface temperature (GMST) may cause the AMOC to cross a tipping point, to become a source of positive feedback in the Earth’s climate system during the 21st century.
Hint: your lecture notes from week 2 explain the AMOC as a negative feedback source and contain examples of how a feedback diagram should be set out. Aim to write 500 words for each part of this question. The labels in your diagram are included in the word count, so think carefully about how to distribute the amount of text between your diagram and your paragraphs. You may use an annotated diagram and / or feedback diagram in part (ii) if you wish, and your answers to parts (i) and (ii) should be supported by other non-annotated diagrams, graphs, or data from credible sources.
(i) Using a labelled feedback diagram, explain how the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) currently performs a negative feedback role in the Earth’s climate system.
(ii) Explain why a continued increase in global mean surface temperature (GMST) may cause the AMOC to cross a tipping point, to become a source of positive feedback in the Earth’s climate system during the 21st century.
Hint: your lecture notes from week 2 explain the AMOC as a negative feedback source and contain examples of how a feedback diagram should be set out. Aim to write 500 words for each part of this question. The labels in your diagram are included in the word count, so think carefully about how to distribute the amount of text between your diagram and your paragraphs. You may use an annotated diagram and / or feedback diagram in part (ii) if you wish, and your answers to parts (i) and (ii) should be supported by other non-annotated diagrams, graphs, or data from credible sources.
Your answer will be assessed on the following criteria. You can see these in the climate change marking grid at the end of this assignment brief:
For question 1, the effective use of at least one relevant annotated diagram. For question 2, the effective use of at least one labelled feedback diagram. Both diagrams must support the explanations given in the paragraphs.
Accurate explanation of Earth system processes.
The relevance and credibility of sources used to support your answer.
Standards of literacy, presentation and referencing.