Global ClimateGlobal Climate

Fill in your Descriptor Here??Fill in your Descriptor Here??

How does global climate change How does global climate change occur in a noticeable manner?occur in a noticeable manner?

Global Climate Change?

What’s wrong with this picture?

Names Begat Names Begat ExpectationExpectation

Global Warming: Next summer will Global Warming: Next summer will be hotter than last summer. Not be hotter than last summer. Not borne out for the average personborne out for the average person

Global Climate Change: How do you Global Climate Change: How do you measure “change” in a meaningful measure “change” in a meaningful way?way?

Global Climate Change Global Climate Change Increasing Increasing Weather Volatility Weather Volatility Has Real Has Real Impacts (economic and public health)Impacts (economic and public health)

Possible Climate shifts:Possible Climate shifts:

3053 Records Broken in 3053 Records Broken in 20112011

Two Certain Data PointsTwo Certain Data Points

Expect Increased Atmospheric Humidity

And this is AlarmingAnd this is Alarming

Arctic Sea Ice Rapidly DissipatingArctic Sea Ice Rapidly Dissipating

Redistributes Incoming solar radiation through albedo difference

Confirms Humidity Confirms Humidity ExpectationExpectation

Key PointsKey Points

We are now measuring a relatively rapid We are now measuring a relatively rapid rate of energy redistribution on a global rate of energy redistribution on a global scalescaleExpect disruption of seasonal jet stream Expect disruption of seasonal jet stream placementsplacementsClimate: Seasonally average weather Climate: Seasonally average weather patterns.patterns.Climate change: Unseasonable weather Climate change: Unseasonable weather and extreme weatherand extreme weather

Recent Extreme WeatherRecent Extreme Weather(if normal, all numbers close to 60)(if normal, all numbers close to 60)

Less Heating Oil UsedLess Heating Oil Used(extremely warm NE winter)(extremely warm NE winter)

The Insurance Company KnowsThe Insurance Company Knows

Where Not to Live – US Climate Where Not to Live – US Climate Volatility Refugees …Volatility Refugees …

Obstacles to Policy

How many events will it take? Politically and personally, we are extremely

bad at risk assessment.