#17 Y13 ELSS L25 Long-term Changes to ELSS

This podcast explores the dramatic long-term changes in Earth’s Life Support Systems (ELSS) during the Quaternary Period’s glacial and interglacial cycles. We examine how Milankovitch cycles—eccentricity, axial tilt, and precession—drive global temperature fluctuations of 13°C, fundamentally altering the water cycle and carbon cycle. Listeners will discover how glacial cooling causes sea levels to plummet by 130 meters as water moves into cryospheric storage, while atmospheric $CO_2$ concentrations drop to 180 ppm due to increased ocean solubility. We analyze the critical role of the albedo positive feedback loop in amplifying these climatic shifts. From expanding arctic tundra to shrinking tropical rainforests, this episode provides a comprehensive overview of terrestrial biosphere shifts, offering a vital framework for understanding contemporary climate change through historical natural variability.Watch this as a FULL-COLOUR YouTube video for richer visuals, clearer explanations, and boosted Geography learning: Y13 ELSS L25 Long-Term Changes to ELSSWatch video versions of these podcasts on YouTube for a more dynamic experience. Browse our playlists on our channel here WGSG Geography - YouTube