Post on 19-Jan-2016
Climate ChangeClimate Change
QuestionsQuestions
Are global warming and climate change the same thing?
What is the difference between climate and weather?
What is the greenhouse effect? What is the most abundant greenhouse gas? Is climate change real? What evidence is there for climate change? Does the hole in the ozone layer cause climate
change?
Are global warming and climate change the same thing?
What is the difference between climate and weather?
What is the greenhouse effect? What is the most abundant greenhouse gas? Is climate change real? What evidence is there for climate change? Does the hole in the ozone layer cause climate
change?
What’s the Difference?What’s the Difference?
Global Climate Change– Any significant change in measures of climate (temperature,
precipitation or wind) lasting for an extended period (decades or longer).
Global Warming– Average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere, which can
contribute to changes in global climate patterns.
Global Climate Change– Any significant change in measures of climate (temperature,
precipitation or wind) lasting for an extended period (decades or longer).
Global Warming– Average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere, which can
contribute to changes in global climate patterns.
Weather vs. ClimateWeather vs. Climate
Weather – Short-term (minutes to
months) changes in the atmosphere
Climate – Long-term average
pattern of weather in a particular area
– Typically use 30 years of data
Weather – Short-term (minutes to
months) changes in the atmosphere
Climate – Long-term average
pattern of weather in a particular area
– Typically use 30 years of data
Greenhouse GasesGreenhouse Gases
Water Vapor: 0-4% Carbon Dioxide (CO2):
0.036% Methane (CH4):
0.00017% Nitrous Oxide (N2O):
0.00003% CFC’s
Water Vapor: 0-4% Carbon Dioxide (CO2):
0.036% Methane (CH4):
0.00017% Nitrous Oxide (N2O):
0.00003% CFC’s
Greenhouse EffectGreenhouse Effect
Earth’s average temperature would be 0 ºF without the greenhouse effect compared to the average temperature of 60 ºF that we experience
Global Energy BudgetGlobal Energy Budget
EvidenceEvidence
Carbon Dioxide Levels in Relation to Global Temperature
Carbon Dioxide Levels in Relation to Global Temperature
DEALING WITH GLOBAL WARMING
DEALING WITH GLOBAL WARMING
Climate change is such a difficult problem to deal with because:– The problem is global.– The effects will last a long time.– The problem is a long-term political issue.– The harmful and beneficial impacts of climate
change are not spread evenly.– Many actions that might reduce the threat are
controversial because they can impact economies and lifestyles.
Climate change is such a difficult problem to deal with because:– The problem is global.– The effects will last a long time.– The problem is a long-term political issue.– The harmful and beneficial impacts of climate
change are not spread evenly.– Many actions that might reduce the threat are
controversial because they can impact economies and lifestyles.
DEALING WITH GLOBAL WARMING
DEALING WITH GLOBAL WARMING
Two ways to deal with global warming:–Mitigation that reduces greenhouse gas
emissions.– Adaptation, where we recognize that some
warming is unavoidable and devise strategies to reduce its harmful effects.
Two ways to deal with global warming:–Mitigation that reduces greenhouse gas
emissions.– Adaptation, where we recognize that some
warming is unavoidable and devise strategies to reduce its harmful effects.
Fig. 20-14, p. 481
Cut fossil fuel use (especially coal)
Shift from coal to natural gas
Improve energy efficiency
Shift to renewable energy resources
Transfer energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies to developing countries
Reduce deforestation
Use more sustainableagriculture and forestry
Limit urban sprawl
Reduce poverty
Slow population growth
Remove CO2 from smoke stack and vehicle emissions
Store (sequester)CO2 by planting trees
Sequester CO2 deep underground
Sequester CO2 in soil by using no-till cultivation and taking cropland out of production
Sequester CO2 in the deep ocean
Repair leaky natural gas pipelines and facilities
Use animal feeds that reduce CH4 emissions by belching cows
Solutions
Global Warming
Prevention Cleanup
DEALING WITH GLOBAL WARMING
DEALING WITH GLOBAL WARMING
Governments can tax greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, increase subsidies and tax breaks for saving energy, and decrease subsidies and tax breaks for fossil fuels.
A crash program to slow and adapt to global warming now is very likely to cost less than waiting and having to deal with its harmful effects later.
Governments can tax greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, increase subsidies and tax breaks for saving energy, and decrease subsidies and tax breaks for fossil fuels.
A crash program to slow and adapt to global warming now is very likely to cost less than waiting and having to deal with its harmful effects later.
International Climate Negotiations: The Kyoto Protocol
International Climate Negotiations: The Kyoto Protocol
– Treaty on global warming which first phase went into effect January, 2005 with 189 countries participating.
– It requires 38 participating developed countries to cut their emissions of CO2, CH4, and N2O to 5.2% below their 1990 levels by 2012.
– Developing countries were excluded. The U.S. did not sign, but California and Maine are
participating. U.S. did not sign because developing countries such
as China, India and Brazil were excluded.
– Treaty on global warming which first phase went into effect January, 2005 with 189 countries participating.
– It requires 38 participating developed countries to cut their emissions of CO2, CH4, and N2O to 5.2% below their 1990 levels by 2012.
– Developing countries were excluded. The U.S. did not sign, but California and Maine are
participating. U.S. did not sign because developing countries such
as China, India and Brazil were excluded.
Key IndicatorsKey Indicators
Sea Level Carbon Dioxide Concentration Global Surface Temperature Artic Sea Ice Land Ice
Sea Level Carbon Dioxide Concentration Global Surface Temperature Artic Sea Ice Land Ice
EvidenceEvidence
Sea Level Rise– Global sea level rose 17 cm (6.7 in.) in the last century – Rate in the last decade nearly double that of the last
century
Global Temperature Rise– Earth has warmed since 1880 with most of warming
occurring since the 1970s– 20 warmest years occurred since 1981– 10 warmest years occurred in the past 12 years.
Sea Level Rise– Global sea level rose 17 cm (6.7 in.) in the last century – Rate in the last decade nearly double that of the last
century
Global Temperature Rise– Earth has warmed since 1880 with most of warming
occurring since the 1970s– 20 warmest years occurred since 1981– 10 warmest years occurred in the past 12 years.
EvidenceEvidence
Warming Oceans– Top 700 m (2,300 ft) of ocean showing warming of
0.302 °F since 1969
Shrinking Ice Sheets– Greenland: lost 150-250 km3 (36-60 cubic miles) of ice
per year between 2002 and 2006– Antarctica: lost 152 km3 (36 cubic miles) of ice between
2002 and 2005
Warming Oceans– Top 700 m (2,300 ft) of ocean showing warming of
0.302 °F since 1969
Shrinking Ice Sheets– Greenland: lost 150-250 km3 (36-60 cubic miles) of ice
per year between 2002 and 2006– Antarctica: lost 152 km3 (36 cubic miles) of ice between
2002 and 2005
EvidenceEvidence
Declining Arctic sea ice– Extent and thickness of Arctic sea ice has declined
rapidly over last several decades
Glacial retreat– Retreating almost everywhere around the world
including Alps, Himalayas, Andes, Rockies, Alaska and Africa
Declining Arctic sea ice– Extent and thickness of Arctic sea ice has declined
rapidly over last several decades
Glacial retreat– Retreating almost everywhere around the world
including Alps, Himalayas, Andes, Rockies, Alaska and Africa
EvidenceEvidence
Extreme Events– Number of record high temps increasing since 1950– Number of record low temperature decreasing since
1950– Increasing numbers of intense rainfall events
Ocean Acidification– CO2 content of oceans increasing since 1750
– Currently increasing 2 billion tons per year– Increased ocean acidity by about 30%
Extreme Events– Number of record high temps increasing since 1950– Number of record low temperature decreasing since
1950– Increasing numbers of intense rainfall events
Ocean Acidification– CO2 content of oceans increasing since 1750
– Currently increasing 2 billion tons per year– Increased ocean acidity by about 30%
NASA InteractivesNASA Interactives
http://climate.nasa.gov/interactives/ http://climate.nasa.gov/interactives/
IPCCIPCC
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Group of scientist from around the world that
review and assess information on climate change
Climate models and projections
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Group of scientist from around the world that
review and assess information on climate change
Climate models and projections
Projections for North AmericaProjections for North America
Decreasing snowpack in the western mountains
5-20% increase in yields of rain-fed agriculture in some regions
Increased frequency, intensity and duration of heat waves
Decreasing snowpack in the western mountains
5-20% increase in yields of rain-fed agriculture in some regions
Increased frequency, intensity and duration of heat waves
Projections for Latin AmericaProjections for Latin America
Gradual replacement of tropical forest by savannah in eastern Amazon
Risk of significant biodiversity loss through species extinction in many tropical areas
Significant changes in water availability for human consumption, agriculture and energy generation
Gradual replacement of tropical forest by savannah in eastern Amazon
Risk of significant biodiversity loss through species extinction in many tropical areas
Significant changes in water availability for human consumption, agriculture and energy generation
Projections for EuropeProjections for Europe
Increased risk of inland flash floods
More frequent coastal flooding and erosion
Glacial retreat in mountainous areas
Reduced snow cover and winter tourism
Extensive species losses Reductions of crop
productivity in S. Europe
Increased risk of inland flash floods
More frequent coastal flooding and erosion
Glacial retreat in mountainous areas
Reduced snow cover and winter tourism
Extensive species losses Reductions of crop
productivity in S. Europe
Projections for AfricaProjections for Africa
By 2020, 75-250 million people are projected to be exposed to increased water stress
Yields from rain-fed agriculture could be reduced by up to 50% in some regions by 2020
Agricultural production, including access to food, may be severely compromised
By 2020, 75-250 million people are projected to be exposed to increased water stress
Yields from rain-fed agriculture could be reduced by up to 50% in some regions by 2020
Agricultural production, including access to food, may be severely compromised
Projections for AsiaProjections for Asia
Freshwater availability projected to decrease by 2050
Coastal areas at risk for increased flooding Death rate from disease associated with floods
and droughts expected to rise
Freshwater availability projected to decrease by 2050
Coastal areas at risk for increased flooding Death rate from disease associated with floods
and droughts expected to rise
Wisconsin’s Climate 1950-2006Wisconsin’s Climate 1950-2006
Average temperature increased 1.5 ºF Greatest amount of warming in winter and spring, especially
NW Wisconsin Nighttime lows warming faster than daytime highs,
especially in summer Decline in extremely cold winter nights, especially in NW
Wisconsin Date of last spring freeze occurring 6-20 days earlier Date of first fall freeze occurring 3-8 days later Growing season increased up to 4 weeks Annual average precipitation increased 15% although parts
of the N became drier
Average temperature increased 1.5 ºF Greatest amount of warming in winter and spring, especially
NW Wisconsin Nighttime lows warming faster than daytime highs,
especially in summer Decline in extremely cold winter nights, especially in NW
Wisconsin Date of last spring freeze occurring 6-20 days earlier Date of first fall freeze occurring 3-8 days later Growing season increased up to 4 weeks Annual average precipitation increased 15% although parts
of the N became drier
Wisconsin’s Future Climate Projections
Wisconsin’s Future Climate Projections
4-9ºF increase by mid-21st Century Warming most pronounced in winter Fewer extremely cold winter nights and
more hot summer days Probability of greater than 3 in. rainstorms
will increase during spring and fall
4-9ºF increase by mid-21st Century Warming most pronounced in winter Fewer extremely cold winter nights and
more hot summer days Probability of greater than 3 in. rainstorms
will increase during spring and fall
Projected Change in theFrequency of 2" Precipitation Events (days/decade) from
1980 to 2055
Projected Change in the Frequency of 90 ºF Days Per
Year from 1980 to 2055
Projected Change in Annual Temp from 1980 to 2055
Projected Change in AverageWinter Temp from 1980 to 2055
Ice Cover on Madison LakesIce Cover on Madison Lakes
http://climatewisconsin.org/story/ice-cover http://climatewisconsin.org/story/ice-cover
Temperature ChangeTemperature Change
http://climatewisconsin.org/story/temperature-change
http://climatewisconsin.org/story/temperature-change
Shipping on the Great LakesShipping on the Great Lakes
http://climatewisconsin.org/story/great-lakes-shipping
http://climatewisconsin.org/story/great-lakes-shipping