Introduction to Climate Change Causes of Global Climate Change
Effects of Climate Change Melting Ice and Rising Sea Level Changes in Precipitation Patterns Effects on Organisms Effects on Human Health Effects on Agriculture
Dealing with Global Climate Change
Greenhouse Gas Gas that absorbs infrared radiation Ex: Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide (N2O),
chlorofluorocarbons and tropospheric ozone Positive Feedback
Change in some condition triggers a response that intensifies the changed condition
Infrared Radiation Radiation that has a wavelength that is longer than
that of visible light, but shorter than that of radio waves…think heat
Greenhouse Effect Increase of heat in a system
Some evidence for Climate Change Temperature increase of 1.4 degrees F since 1880▪ Extreme northern latitudes – 7.4 increase (40% of
N. polar ice cap melt) 9 of the 10 warmest years between 2000-2009 Ice core sampling measures greenhouse gases up
to 500,000 years ago. (CO2 and temp. correlate) Human produced greenhouse gases are most
plausible explanation
Greenhouse gas concentrations increasing
Increased concentration of CO2 (right) Burning fossil
fuels in cars, industry and homes
Deforestation Burning of forests
Atmospheric Aerosols tend to cool the atmosphere Both human and
natural sources Tiny particles that
remain in troposphere for weeks or months
Contain many chemicals, but often contain sulfur
Complicates models of climate change (but accounted for)
Climate affected by: winds, clouds, ocean currents, and albedo
Used to explore past climate events Advanced models can project future warming
events Models are only as good as the data and law
used to program them They have limitations
Ocean as CO2 sink - excess CO2 is starting to harm ocean life (acidification decline of coral reefs)
Sea level rise caused in 2 ways Thermal Expansion▪ Water expands as it warms
Melting of land ice▪ Retreat of glacier and thinning of ice at the poles
Melting has positive feedback Increased melting decreases ice, which
decreases albedo leading to further warming
Threatens small islands and coasts: flooding + erosion and intense storms
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Melting permafrost Support structure for Tundra
plants, houses, roads
Release CO2 and methane from decomposing material (remember bacteria decompose more/faster at warmer temperatures.)▪ See article
Near Fairbanks, Alaska
Some areas will get more water, some areas will have greater droughts Ex: Hurricanes will likely get stronger due to warmer
water Exaggerate El Nino effects
Zooplankton in parts of California Current have decreased by 80% since 1951 Effecting entire food chain
Polar ice cap melting – too far for Polar bear to swim to hunt seals Polar bear seal (seal carcass to Arctic fox)
Decline in krill around Antarctica Caused decrease in penguin populations
Species have shifted their geographic range Migrating birds are returning to summer homes
earlier Food is not available at this time
Coral reefs can be bleached (right) due to increase in water temperature Affects coral symbiotes and makes them
more susceptible to diseases to which they would otherwise be immune
Increased number of heat-related illnesses and deaths: malaria, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis
Rise in sea level will inundate/destroy flood plains and river valleys (lush farmland)
Warmer temperatures will decrease soil moisture- requiring more irrigation
Location (i.e. elevation and altitude) where certain crops can be grown may have to change
Difficult to anticipate Productivity will increase in some areas and
decrease in others
Rising sea levels Change in precipitation patterns Sensitive organisms decline; decrease # of
organisms at bottom of food chain Increase range of disease causing organisms Decrease ability to grow crops in certain areas
Kyoto Protocol Provides rules on reducing greenhouse
gases US and Australia have not signed it- difficult to
implement without US backing▪ US concern: LDC not have same expectations
to lower
Two ways to attempt to manage climate change Mitigation/Reduction:▪ Focuses on limiting greenhouse gas
emissions to moderate global climate change Adaptation▪ Focuses on learning to live with to the
environmental changes and societal consequences brought about by global climate change
Locate/invent alternative fuels to fossil fuels Increase efficiency of cars and trucks Drive less: bike lanes, carpool, wide sidewalks Sequestering carbon before it is emitted Plant and maintain trees to naturally sequester
carbon
Rising sea levels and coastal populations Move inland Construct dikes and levees
Adapt to shifting agricultural zonesNYC sewer line
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