MODULE #3: Climate Change & Global Warming

… Signs & Symptoms

All around the globe, scientists are seeing signs and symptoms of climate change…

From melting ice in the Arctic…

All around the globe, scientists are seeing signs and symptoms of climate change…

To rising sea levels …

To changes right in our own backyards…

All around the globe, scientists are seeing signs and symptoms of climate change…

Photo credit - H

azecam

Let’s take a closer look at some of these signs…

Source: NASA

Greenland’s melting glaciers

Source: Arctic Impacts of Arctic

Warming, Cambridge

Press, 2004).

Red areas show the ‘melt zone’ where summer warmth turns snow and ice around the edges of the ice sheet into slush and ponds of meltwater

Rising Seas around the globe…

WWhat is happening here in the Northeast?hat is happening here in the Northeast?

WWhat is happening here in Vermont?hat is happening here in Vermont?1907 to 2007 Burlington Vermont

Lake Champlain Mean Lake Elevation and Average Annual Precipitation

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Lake Champlain Mean Level Burlington Annual Precip

Linear (Lake Champlain Mean Level) Linear (Burlington Annual Precip)

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Shift in range, distribution and abundance of various wildlife species, due to loss of suitable habitat. Cold-water fish are especially susceptible, as well as certain migratory birds and songbirds.

WWhat is happening now? … or may happen hat is happening now? … or may happen

soon?soon?

Reduced maple sap harvests resulting from changes in climate and tree health

Muted autumn colors

WWhat is happening now? … or may happen hat is happening now? … or may happen

soon?soon?

Altered geographic distribution & health of trees (maple, beech & birch are likely to be replaced by pine, oak, & hickory that thrive in a slightly warmer climate)

Lyme Disease Cases with Vermont Exposure Origin(Source: VT Dept of Health website)

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Cases Northward shift of

rodent, tick, and insect-borne diseases that require warmer temperatures to survive.

WWhat is happening now? … or may happen hat is happening now? … or may happen

soon?soon?

Warmer summertime temperatures are likely to reduce air quality by helping to create ground-level ozone. This will result in increased cases of asthma & other respiratory illnesses.

… Please take a look at MODULE #4 to learn what youyou can do to reduce GHG emissions and slow climate change