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Global Warming

Global Warming. D23. Explain how the accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and other gases, in the atmosphere increases Earth’s “greenhouse” effect and may cause climate changes. What is global warming?.

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Global Warming

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  1. Global Warming

  2. D23 Explain how the accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases, in the atmosphere increases Earth’s “greenhouse” effect and may cause climate changes.

  3. What is global warming? • Global warming is an average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere near the Earth's surface. • Global warming can occur from a variety of causes, both natural and human-caused. • Generally when people say "global warming," they are referring to the warming which results from increased emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities.

  4. Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4) and Nitrous Oxide Burning of Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and other human activities How Global Warming Works

  5. Greenhouse Gases • Carbon dioxide – CO2 • This is the major problem, but it is not the only one! • Water vapor (H2O) • Methane – CH4 (this is a hydrocarbon) • Nitrous oxide

  6. Global Atmospheric Concentration of CO2

  7. Global Warming is similar to this … The Sun’s energy passes through the car’s windshield. This energy (heat) is trapped inside the car and cannot pass back through the windshield, causing the inside of the car to warm up.

  8. Climate vs. Weather Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time. This is measured in terms of such things as wind, temperature, humidity, and precipitation. In most places, weather can change from hour-to-hour, day-to-day, and season-to-season. Climate is the average pattern of weather in a place. For example, we New Englanders experience four seasons each year, have warm and humid summers, and cold snowy winters.

  9. Climate change in New England • Spring arrives earlier and the number of extremely hot summer days has been increasing. • Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment (NECIA) team reports that the Northeast has been warming at a rate of nearly 0.5° F per decade. • Winter temperatures are rising faster, at a rate of 1.3 ° F per decade from 1970 to 2000. • 2010 was the warmest year on record. • Despite recent harsh winters, snowfall in northern New England has overall decreased since 1953.

  10. How will local climate change affect us? • Temperature increases could affect New England’s brilliant fall colors as trees migrate north or die out. This affects the tourism industry. • Maple syrup production may be jeopardized because sap flow depends on freezing nights and warm days. • The skiing industry will face the threat of less natural snowfall and the inability to produce artificial snow, which requires temperatures of 28 degrees or less.

  11. Global Warming vs. Climate Change CLIMATE CHANGE is a broader term that refers to long-term changes in climate, including average temperature and precipitation. GLOBAL WARMING is the increase of the Earth’s average surface temperature due to a build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

  12. Contributors to global warming The MAJOR SOURCES are the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas, when burned release carbon dioxide, the most important greenhouse gas.

  13. Burning of Fossil Fuels Pollution from coal, natural gas, and oil Pollution from coal, natural gas, and oil Pollution from coal, natural gas, and oil

  14. Other Sources • Deforestation • when wood is burned, the carbon contained in the trees is released as carbon dioxide. • Rotting wood can produce methane • Rice paddies, cattle, coal mines, gas pipelines, and landfills • produce methane which causes about 30% as much warming as carbon dioxide. • Fertilizers and other chemicals • release nitrous oxide, causes about 10% as much warming as carbon dioxide.

  15. Effects of Global Warming Rising Sea Level Increased Temperature Habitat Damage and Species Affected Changes in Water Supply

  16. Impact on Nature • In the past, the natural environment has adapted to gradual climate changes • However, they also find instances in which changes have occurred rapidly, brought about by events such as sudden shifts in ocean currents. • These rapid changes have often caused widespread species extinctions and the collapse of natural ecosystems.

  17. One possible scenario – changing distribution patterns of species • Global warming could mean that those plants currently growing in Georgia might be better suited to New England. • If climate changes gradually, many plants may be able to "migrate" by spreading seeds into new areas where they can now grow. • But if climate changes rapidly, many plants may not be able to spread their seeds far enough to reach the new area. If they die out, so may many of the animals that depend upon them.

  18. www.epa.gov

  19. Ice Caps Melting

  20. Sea level rise and coastal storms. • There is debate about whether the ice caps would completely melt. • But, sea level would rise because water expands when it is heated. • An increase in the earth's average temperature of about 3.5°F, would result in an increase in sea level of between 8 and 30 inches. • Higher sea level would mean that hurricanes and similar large storms could do more damage than in the past. • Some experts argue that such storms would become more frequent and intense in a warmer climate. This could have large impacts.

  21. What proof exists that shows that that global warming is taking place?

  22. 2004 1914 Portage Glacier • Alaska Photos: NOAA Photo Collection and Gary Braasch – WorldViewOfGlobalWarming.org

  23. Colorado River • Arizona June 2002 Dec 2003

  24. CO2 Concentrations Temperature (Northern Hemisphere) 1000 Years of CO2 and Global Warming Degree Celsius Increase Parts Per Million 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 Year Year

  25. What does this all mean? • The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased in recent years. • Environmentalists suggest this change is a direct result of the overcutting of forests and the increased use of fossil fuels. • There have been changes in the overall temperature of the planet and the effects of this are beginning to be seen by humans. • So … what can be done about this?

  26. Billions of Metric TonsCarbon Goal: Reductions in CO2 Per Year 2007

  27. Our Goal Billions of Metric TonsCarbon Produce electricity efficiently Use electricity efficiently Vehicle efficiency Solar and Wind Power Biofuels Carbon capture and storage Gigaton Carbon Reductions in CO2 Per Year 2007

  28. What’s being done now to reduce our emissions? Wind Power Solar Power Fuel-Efficiency

  29. What can you do to help solve the problem?

  30. Most effective actions. • Reduce energy use! • When you buy a car, choose one that gets good mileage. • Insulate and weatherize your home or apartment. • Carpool or drive less.

  31. Helpful actions • Replace old, worn-out appliances with the most efficient new models. • Turn off lights and appliances when not needed. • Plant trees. • Set the thermostat lower in winter and higher in summer. • Recycle. • If the average citizen undertakes all of these actions, they can reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by about 3%, which equals just over half a ton of carbon dioxide per year.

  32. 500 lbs. of coal An example - CFLs What’s the difference? Compact Fluorescent Incandescent • 1,430 lbs. CO2 pollution avoided • $30 saved

  33. Resources • National Wildlife Foundation www.nwf.com • Carnegie Mellon University http://www.gcrio.org/gwcc/index.htm • New England Aquarium http://www.neaq.org/conservation_and_research/climate_change/climate_change_in_new_england.php

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