Post on 06-Jan-2018
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The Ocean and Climate Change
The ocean is full of life• Trillions and trillions of life
forms
The ocean is full of life• Trillions and trillions of life
forms
• Most = microscopic, single-celled organisms
The ocean is connected to the atmosphere
The ocean is connected to land
Why is the ocean important to everyone, including Kansas folks?
Ways the Ocean is Important
• Dominates the Earth’s surface area
• Improves the air we breathe
• Puts food on our plates
• Provides medicine
• Contributes to jobs, economic growth, and human protection
How are humans impacting the ocean?
Humans are Impacting the Ocean
• Trash at sea
• Harmful algal blooms and fish kills
• Unsustainable use of resources
Humans are Impacting the Ocean
The CO2 Problem – Part 1
Increase in CO2 absorption = Increase in ocean acidity
Station Aloha
Year
Tem
pera
ture
(° C
)
Year
13
14
15
16
17
18
1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 2020 2040 2060 2080 2100
Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research
Increase in CO2 causes:•Increased atmospheric temperature (CO2 doubling = 1.5°C)
•Warming of ocean
The CO2 Problem – Part 2
Warming WorldThe ocean is changing in our lifetime
Warming WorldThe ocean is changing in our lifetime
Warming WorldThe oceans are changing in our
lifetime
Warming World
Warming World
Questions?
• CO2 in the atmosphere will continue to rise if we do not enforce limits on emissions
• Temperatures are projected to rise 0.1-0.2° C per decade
• Sea level will continue to rise with warming (water will expand; more polar ice will melt)
• Weather events (hurricanes, droughts, precipitation, flooding) are expected to intensify; frequency however is still uncertain
• Ocean acidity will continue to increase and expand to all parts of the oceans
Future Projections