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Global Climate Change What in the world is going on?
Global Climate Change
What in the world is going on?
Headlines from the Planet
OCEAN WARMING CREATES
PACIFIC WASTELAND
Headlines from the Planet
SMALL TEMPERATURE RISE FUELS MIGRATIONS OF SEA ANIMALS
Headlines from the Planet
BUTTERFLY STUDY CONFIRMS WARMING-DRIVEN MIGRATIONS
Headlines from the Planet
MELTING OF THE WORLD’S
GLACIERS ACCELERATES
Headlines from the Planet
FOREST GROWTH STUNTED BY INCREASED HEAT, CO2
Headlines from the Planet
ARCTIC WARMING REVEALED
IN SOIL, SURFACE, AND
OCEAN MEASUREMENTS
Headlines from the Planet
HEAT-ENHANCING VAPOR
INCREASES IN UPPER ATMOSPHERE
Headlines from the Planet
NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN WAVES
50 PERCENT HIGHER
Headlines from the Planet
U.S. WHEATFIELDS COULD BE DESERTS IN A DECADE
Headlines from the Planet
DESERT CONDITIONS SPREADING IN SOUTHERN EUROPE
Headlines from the Planet
RISING TEMPERATURES BRING EARLIER SPRINGTIMES
Headlines from the Planet
SCIENTISTS DISCOVER FURTHER DISINTEGRATION OF
ANTARCTIC SHELVES
Headlines from the Planet
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:
3 %
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
Oxide
• 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
wind
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
Possible Consequences (cont.)
3. Agriculture
Some crops will grow faster, needing more fertilizer.
Food quality can deteriorate.
Insects would have to eat more
(more insecticides needed).
Possible Consequences (cont.)
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
Possible Consequences (cont.)
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!
