Global Warming is Hot Stuff!Global Warming is Hot Stuff!

Elaine FriebeleElaine FriebeleJug Bay Wetlands SancutaryJug Bay Wetlands Sancutary

You’ve probably heard aboutYou’ve probably heard about

Global WarmingGlobal WarmingAnd also that ourAnd also that our

Climate Climate is Changingis Changing

Is it Real?Is it Real?

What is Climate Change?What is Climate Change?

What’s the Difference Between What’s the Difference Between Climate and WeatherClimate and Weather ??

WeatherWeather refers to the current atmospheric conditions—the activity of precipitation, wind, and temperature in a region over a short period of time, such as hours or days.

ClimateClimate includes average weather—or the average includes average weather—or the average precipitation, wind and temperature in a region— in a region—

over relatively over relatively longlong periods of time (decades periods of time (decades through centuries). through centuries).

Annual Mean Daily Maximum TemperatureAnnual Mean Daily Maximum Temperature

Weather varies over the short termWeather varies over the short term

Variation in Temperatures, Jan – Mar, 2005

compared to 45-year Average TemperatureIs this map evidence for global warming?

Your grandparents may talk of deep snows decades ago.

Climate ChangeClimate Change

Our Climate Our Climate isis Changing Changing

Data shows that global surface air Data shows that global surface air temperatures rose 0.75temperatures rose 0.75oo Celsius Celsius (1.5(1.5oo F) in the last century. F) in the last century.

1995-2006: 11 of the 12 warmest years since recordkeeping began in 1850.

What happened after 1860?

Our climate has changed over the past 150 years.

In the early 1900s, gas-In the early 1900s, gas-

powered automobiles came powered automobiles came along. Burning gasoline added along. Burning gasoline added more carbon dioxide to the more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.atmosphere.

In 1765, the steam engine, invented by James Watt, came into use. By In 1765, the steam engine, invented by James Watt, came into use. By 1830, people were burning coal to produce steam in factories, 1830, people were burning coal to produce steam in factories, locomotives, and ships. The burning coal released carbon dioxide.locomotives, and ships. The burning coal released carbon dioxide.

The amount of carbon dioxide (COThe amount of carbon dioxide (CO22) in the ) in the atmosphere has increasedatmosphere has increased

By the year 2100, COBy the year 2100, CO2 2 levels could be levels could be doubledouble

what they are today if we don’t reduce the burning of fossil fuels!what they are today if we don’t reduce the burning of fossil fuels!

The Greenhouse EffectThe Greenhouse Effect

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

There is more CO2 in the air now than there has been for the 800,000 years of the ice core record.

Will it keep getting warmer?Will it keep getting warmer?Scientists predict that by the year 2100, Scientists predict that by the year 2100,

the average temperature of the Earth’s the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere could be atmosphere could be 44oo C (7.5 C (7.5oo F) F) warmer.warmer.

Could we expect snow and Could we expect snow and freezing temperatures in freezing temperatures in the winter? the winter?

How that would feel How that would feel in the summer?in the summer?

Global Warming affects the oceansGlobal Warming affects the oceans

Greenland’s Ilulissat glacier

Warmer air is melting most of the world’s Warmer air is melting most of the world’s glaciers. Water from the glaciers is glaciers. Water from the glaciers is flowing into the sea.flowing into the sea.

Ocean

Arctic Sea Ice

Global Warming affects the oceansGlobal Warming affects the oceans Water from melting glaciers raises sea level.Water from melting glaciers raises sea level. Water also Water also expandsexpands as it gets warmer. as it gets warmer.

Global average sea level has risen Global average sea level has risen 10 – 20 cm (4 to 8 in) in the last century10 – 20 cm (4 to 8 in) in the last century

California, Louisiana, and Marylandare the states predicted to lose the most land

to sea level rise in the future.

Sea level is likely to rise 18 – 59 cm (8 in. to 2 feet) Sea level is likely to rise 18 – 59 cm (8 in. to 2 feet) by the year 2100.by the year 2100.

Sea level rise in the Chesapeake Bay will be twice Sea level rise in the Chesapeake Bay will be twice the global average because the Bay itself is sinkingthe global average because the Bay itself is sinking

People living on islands will be forced to find new places to live

Many people’s homes and workplaces in Manhattan would be flooded by rising seas in the next century.

Humans won’t be the only ones affected Humans won’t be the only ones affected by climate changeby climate change

•Polar bears live on sea ice, where they hunt seals and sea lions. They are unable to hunt from the water.

• Arctic ice is melting much earlier in the spring.

•Polar bears cannot hunt enough food to build up body fat to survive and feed their cubs after they come ashore in the spring to breed

Sea Level RiseSea Level Rise

Wetlands will be destroyed by flooding and by salt Wetlands will be destroyed by flooding and by salt water flowing in from the oceanswater flowing in from the oceans ..

Wetlands will be destroyedWetlands will be destroyed

Wetland waterbirds will Wetland waterbirds will have less food (SAV, or have less food (SAV, or

submerged aquatic submerged aquatic vegetation) to eatvegetation) to eat

Wetland habitat for young Wetland habitat for young fish, crabs, frogs, and turtlesfish, crabs, frogs, and turtleswill decrease.will decrease.

Fewer wetlands to soak up waterFewer wetlands to soak up water

To store our drinking waterTo store our drinking water

To control floods

Fewer wetlands to Fewer wetlands to filter our water filter our water

Sea Level RiseSea Level Rise

Dermo, the disease that kills oysters, spreads Dermo, the disease that kills oysters, spreads as the water becomes more salty (saline) as the water becomes more salty (saline)

Global WarmingGlobal Warming

Eelgrass, a crucial habitat for young blue Eelgrass, a crucial habitat for young blue crabs and fish, cannot grow in water warmer crabs and fish, cannot grow in water warmer than 27than 27o o C (80C (80o o F)F)

BUT…As water becomes warmer,BUT…As water becomes warmer, it holds less oxygen.it holds less oxygen.

Higher temperatures raise the metabolism of cold-blooded animals,Higher temperatures raise the metabolism of cold-blooded animals,

causing them to need more oxygen

Striped Bass

Temperature Limit: 24o (76o F)

Low oxygen levels in the hot months (July – Sept) Low oxygen levels in the hot months (July – Sept) cause this species to stop growingcause this species to stop growing

Baby Red-bellied Turtles (top view)

With global warming, the ratio of male: female reptiles With global warming, the ratio of male: female reptiles may become skewed (mostly females, for example).may become skewed (mostly females, for example).

The gender of turtles and otherThe gender of turtles and other reptiles incubating inside eggs reptiles incubating inside eggs

in the ground is determined in the ground is determined by the temperature of the by the temperature of the

surrounding soil.surrounding soil.

Female Red-bellied Turtle

The Baltimore Oriole is living farther north than before. In the future it may migrateto the north and no longer be found in Maryland.

Washington, D.C.’s cherry blossoms are blossoming a week earlier than they did in the 1970s.

How can you help stop How can you help stop Global Warming?Global Warming?

Replace light bulbs in your home with compact fluorescents and cut energy use by 75%.

Wear a sweaterto keep warm

And turn down the thermostat

Turn off electronic devices

Bike or walk when you can

Drive less

Plant a tree!

Activities and LessonsActivities and Lessons

Citizen ScienceCitizen Science Calculate Carbon FootprintCalculate Carbon Footprint Home and School Energy SurveysHome and School Energy Surveys Alternative EnergyAlternative Energy WebsitesWebsites BooksBooks GamesGames

Global Warming is Hot StuffGlobal Warming is Hot Stuff

(That we can do something about)(That we can do something about)

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