Global Climate Change

transcript

What in the world is going on?

Headlines from the Planet

OCEAN WARMING CREATES

PACIFIC WASTELAND

SMALL TEMPERATURE RISE FUELS MIGRATIONS OF SEA ANIMALS

BUTTERFLY STUDY CONFIRMS WARMING-DRIVEN MIGRATIONS

MELTING OF THE WORLD’S

GLACIERS ACCELERATES

FOREST GROWTH STUNTED BY INCREASED HEAT, CO2

ARCTIC WARMING REVEALED

IN SOIL, SURFACE, AND

OCEAN MEASUREMENTS

HEAT-ENHANCING VAPOR

INCREASES IN UPPER ATMOSPHERE

NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN WAVES

50 PERCENT HIGHER

U.S. WHEATFIELDS COULD BE DESERTS IN A DECADE

DESERT CONDITIONS SPREADING IN SOUTHERN EUROPE

RISING TEMPERATURES BRING EARLIER SPRINGTIMES

SCIENTISTS DISCOVER FURTHER DISINTEGRATION OF

ANTARCTIC SHELVES

CLIMATE CHANGES FUEL SPREAD

OF OLD, NEW DISEASES

GREENHOUSE FACTS

• Fact I:

Carbon dioxide levels have increased from 277 ppm 204 years ago to 384 ppm now.

ppm = parts per million

GCC FACTS

• Fact II:

Global average temperatures are now about 0.5 Co (0.8 Fo) warmer than just 30 years ago.

The Keeling Curve

In 1995, 2,000 scientists from 100 countries reported to the United Nations that, without a doubt, the warming has been caused by human activities.

This was the largest, most rigorous scientific study in history.

• In February, 2007, in Paris, the world’s leading climate scientists & representatives from 113 governments said that warming is occurring and that it will be hard to stop.

• Representatives from governments of the U.S., China, and India were absent.

Greenhouse Effect

THE GREENHOUSE GASES

• Carbon Dioxide (57%) CO2

• Methane (20%) CH4

• Nitrous Oxide (5%) N2O

• Chlorofluorocarbons (15%)

• *Freon-11 CFCl3 Freon-12 CF2Cl 2

GREENHOUSE GASES (cont.)

• *Ozone O3

• Methyl Chloroform CHCl3

• Carbon Tetrachloride CCl4

• Carbon Monoxide CO

• Water Vapor H2O

All of these together:

SOURCES OF MOST IMPORTANT GREENHOUSE GASES: CO2

CO2 (The “gang leader”)

from fossil fuel combustion: (90 %/year)

from biomass burning: (10 %/year)

SOURCES OF MOST IMPORTANT GREENHOUSE GASES: Methane

• Wetlands (33 %)

• Termites (5 %)

• Oceans (2 %)

• Wild Animals (1 %)

• Cattle (15 %)

• Rice Paddies (14 %)

• Biomass Burning (14 %)

• Fossil Fuel Operations (10 %)

• Others (6 %)

SOURCES OF MOST IMPORTANT GREENHOUSE GASES: Nitrous

• Natural soils (50 %)• Fossil fuel combustion (26 %)• Biomass burning (5 %)• Cultivating/Fertilizing (14%)• Others (4%)

SOURCES OF MOST IMPORTANT GREENHOUSE GASES:

Chlorofluorocarbons

• A/C systems (50%)

• Foam materials (13%)• Aerosol propellants (32%)• Solvents (5%)

Possible Consequences of an Intensified Greenhouse Effect

1. Climate variables changed

rainfall

cloud cover

ocean currents

polar ice caps

Resulting in:

drier continental interiorswetter coastsrising sea levelsshortened cold seasonslengthened warm seasons

Possible Consequences (cont.)

2. Ripple effect through world economy as shifts occur in:

Soil conditionsCrop yieldsSalinity of water suppliesWater available for hydroelectric powerDrying of NW US forestsThawing of permafrost & methane clathrates

Methane Clathrates

3. Agriculture

Some crops will grow faster, needing more fertilizer.

Food quality can deteriorate.

Insects would have to eat more

(more insecticides needed).

4. Social & Political Consequences:

Emigration from Sun Belt

U.S. vs. Russian agriculture shifts and balance of power.

Sea level rise leading to environmental refugees

Less pack ice in northern shipping lanes

4. Social & Political Consequences (cont.)

Great Lakes - ice free 11 months a year, but lower water levels

Midwestern crops may suffer.

Emigrants from flooded island nations (Maldives)

India & Bangladesh battered by more storms, flooding.

One Last Look at the T/CO2 Fit

• Blue: Temp.

• Red: CO2

HOW CAN WE HELP?

“Tie-in” Strategies

1. Be energy-efficient and conserve energy.

2. Drive a fuel-efficient car. Walk more.

3. Plant a tree.

4. Don’t use CFC products.

5. Drive less. There is a lot of different ways to get around.

HOW CAN WE HELP?????????

“Tie-in” Strategies

6. THE MOST IMPORTANT:

SPREAD THE WORD!

Everyone needs to help because…

Earth is our only home!

Global Climate Change

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