GLOBAL WARMING

Global WarmingGlobal Warming• an average increase in the an average increase in the

temperature of the temperature of the atmosphere near the Earthatmosphere near the Earth ’’s s surface and in the surface and in the troposphere1, which can troposphere1, which can contribute to contribute to changes in changes in global climate patternsglobal climate patterns

Global WarmingGlobal Warming• What are the What are the

main causes?main causes?

Causes Causes • Burning of Burning of fossil fuelsfossil fuels (Coal/Crude oil) (Coal/Crude oil)

– Power plantsPower plants generate electricity generate electricity

– Transportation-----fuels for transports (E.g. LPG,Transportation-----fuels for transports (E.g. LPG, kerosene, fuel oil)kerosene, fuel oil)

– Industrial processes (E.g. manufacture of Industrial processes (E.g. manufacture of cement, steel, aluminium)cement, steel, aluminium)

CausesCauses

• Other Other greenhouse greenhouse gasesgases emission emission

– AgricultureAgriculture– ForestryForestry– Other land usesOther land uses– Waste managementWaste management

Besides carbon dioxide, other

gases such as methane,

chlorofluorocarbons, nitrogen

oxides and ozone also

contribute to the greenhouse

effect.

Example : Using natural gas to cookExample : Using natural gas to cook

CHCH4 4 + 2O+ 2O22 COCO22 + 2H+ 2H22OO

Can you describe the Greenhouse effect?Can you describe the Greenhouse effect?

Serious greenhouse effect

Global WarmingGlobal Warming

Greenhouse gases in the atmosphereGreenhouse gases in the atmosphere↓↓

Some infrared radiation is trapped Some infrared radiation is trapped

↓↓

Greenhouse effectGreenhouse effect

Serious greenhouse effect

Global WarmingGlobal Warming

How serious the problem is?...How serious the problem is?...

Increase in greenhouse Increase in greenhouse gasesgases• Concentration of greenhouse gases in Concentration of greenhouse gases in

the atmosphere is highly increasing by the atmosphere is highly increasing by human activitieshuman activities

→ → Leads to the increasing seriousness of global Leads to the increasing seriousness of global warmingwarming

Global surface Global surface temperaturestemperatures

– increased about 0.6°C/century since the increased about 0.6°C/century since the late19th centurylate19th century

– increased to 2°C/century over the past increased to 2°C/century over the past 25 years25 years

Environmental Environmental and Human and Human

EffectsEffects

Direct Temperature Direct Temperature EffectsEffects

Increase in average temperatureIncrease in average temperature

More extreme heat waves during the More extreme heat waves during the summer; Less extreme cold spells during summer; Less extreme cold spells during

the winter the winter

Harmful to those with heart problems, Harmful to those with heart problems, asthma, the elderly, the very young and asthma, the elderly, the very young and

the homelessthe homeless

Climate-sensitive diseasesClimate-sensitive diseases• Increase the risk of some infectious diseasesIncrease the risk of some infectious diseases– [particularly that appear in warm areas; are [particularly that appear in warm areas; are

spread by mosquitoes and other insects]spread by mosquitoes and other insects]– E.g. Malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, E.g. Malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever,

encephalitis encephalitis

• Algal blooms occur more frequently as Algal blooms occur more frequently as temperatures warm (particularly in areas with temperatures warm (particularly in areas with polluted waters) polluted waters)

Diseases (e.g. cholera) accompanying algal Diseases (e.g. cholera) accompanying algal blooms become more frequentblooms become more frequent

Air QualityAir QualityAn increase in the concentration of An increase in the concentration of

ground-level ozone ground-level ozone

Damage lung tissue Damage lung tissue

Harmful for those with asthma and Harmful for those with asthma and other chronic lung diseases other chronic lung diseases

Food supplyFood supply

Rising temperatures and variable Rising temperatures and variable precipitation precipitation

Decrease the production of staple foods Decrease the production of staple foods in many of the poorest regionsin many of the poorest regions

Increasing risks of malnutritionIncreasing risks of malnutrition

Population displacementPopulation displacementRising sea levels Rising sea levels

Increase the risk of coastal floodingIncrease the risk of coastal flooding

(Necessitate population displacement) (Necessitate population displacement)

• More than halfMore than half of the world's population now lives of the world's population now lives within 60km of the sea. within 60km of the sea.

• Most vulnerable regions: Nile delta in Egypt, the Most vulnerable regions: Nile delta in Egypt, the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta in Bangladesh, many small Ganges-Brahmaputra delta in Bangladesh, many small islands, such as the Maldives, the Marshall Islands and islands, such as the Maldives, the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu. Tuvalu.

UV Exposure (Australia)UV Exposure (Australia)

• Skin CancerSkin Cancer     – an abnormal growth of skin tissues. an abnormal growth of skin tissues.

• Premature agingPremature aging– make the skin thick, wrinkled, and leathery  make the skin thick, wrinkled, and leathery  

• CataractsCataracts   – No longer have transparent lenses in their eyes No longer have transparent lenses in their eyes

UV Exposure (Australia)UV Exposure (Australia)

• Other Eye DamagesOther Eye Damages– Skin cancer around the eyesSkin cancer around the eyes

• Suppression of ImmunitySuppression of Immunity     – Overexposure to UV radiation Overexposure to UV radiation suppress proper suppress proper

functioning of the body's immune system and natural functioning of the body's immune system and natural defenses of skindefenses of skin

– UV-B radiation weakens the immune system UV-B radiation weakens the immune system increases the chance of infection and diseaseincreases the chance of infection and disease

Extreme EventsExtreme Events

• Extreme Events: Extreme Events: • Heat waves; Cold waves; Storms; Floods and Heat waves; Cold waves; Storms; Floods and

Droughts Droughts Global warmingGlobal warming

An increase in the frequency of extreme eventsAn increase in the frequency of extreme events

More event-related deaths, injuries, infectious More event-related deaths, injuries, infectious diseases, and stress-related disordersdiseases, and stress-related disorders

Extreme Events in Europe!

Natural Disasters...

Heat waves

Heat waves in Europe have become much more likely; the extreme temperaturesof the summer of 2003 are estimated to have been 75% due to human influence.Increased temperatures worsen drought conditions.

The heat wave in the summer of 2003 caused massive loss of life – the deathsof at least 22,146 people have been attributed to the heat (table 1.2).Table 1.2: Excess deaths from Europe's 2003 heat wave (WHO 2004):France 14,802Spain3 59Italy 3,134Portugal 2,106England and Wales 2,045Totals 22,146

Extreme Events in Europe!France - 14,082 deaths. Experienced seven

consecutive days of temperatures above 40C.

UK - 2,139 deaths. Record-breaking temperature of 38.5C was recorded on

August 10, 2003. Rail travel was disrupted across the country (rails buckling) and the London eye shut down due to excessive

heat in the wheel pods.

Italy - Approx. 3000 deaths. Temperatures were around 38C in most cities for weeks.

Portugal – 2,100 deaths. Extensive forest fires. 1st of August recorded as the hottest day in centiries. 48C

Holland – 1,500 deaths.

Spain – 141 deaths. Records broken in multiple cities.

Germany - 300 deaths. Record broken in multiple cities. Rivers were at their lowest

recorded level this century, affecting shipping.Switzerland – melting glaciers in the Alps caused avalanches and flash floods. Nationwide record

temperature of 41.5C recorded.

Windstorms...

The windstorms at the end of 1999 were among the most dramatic in European history. Anatol, Lothar and Martin, affected Scandinavia, France, Germany and neighbouring

countries. These storms killed almost 150 people

and caused massive losses (€6.7 billion in insured losses from Lothar and Martin, €500 million in economic losses from Anatol). In France the storms threw an amount of timber

equal to three times the annual harvest.

Floods...

The major flood event of the last few years, and the most economically destructive disaster in Europe’s history, occurred in 2002. Floods took place along the Danube and Elbe rivers, affecting much of Central Europe; there was also significant flooding in the UK and France. 600,000 people were affected and 80 killed in 11 countries. Economic losses were at least €15 billion.

Droughts...

Much of Southern Europe has been in the grip of severe drought for at least a

year, the worst ever recorded. In the summer of 2005, 97% of Portugal

experienced severe drought conditions, France considered closing nuclear

power plants, and across the European Union cereal production fell by at least

28 million tonnes - around 10% of the total.

GLOBAL WARMING