1 global warming…what is it? global warming refers to an average increase in the earth's...
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Global Warming…What is it?Global Warming…What is it?
Global Warming refers to an average increase in Global Warming refers to an average increase in the Earth's temperature,the Earth's temperature,– Climate changeClimate change– Caused by the GREENHOUSE EFFECTCaused by the GREENHOUSE EFFECT
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Greenhouse GasesGreenhouse Gases
The greenhouse gases contribute to holding heat inside The greenhouse gases contribute to holding heat inside our atmosphere.our atmosphere.
They include:They include:– carbon dioxide (COcarbon dioxide (CO22))– methane (CHmethane (CH44))– nitrous oxide (Nnitrous oxide (N22O)O)– chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)– ozone (Oozone (O33) ) – water vaporwater vapor
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Global Warming• Current Causes
– Deforestation
– Greenhouse Gases• Burning of Fossil Fuels
• Main villain is currently Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
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Deforestation - USDeforestation - US• About ½ half of About ½ half of
the forests are the forests are gone gone
• Since 1600, 90% Since 1600, 90% of the U.S. forests of the U.S. forests have been cleared have been cleared awayaway
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Results of DeforestationResults of Deforestation• No CO2 removal • Decaying trees • Fallen trees are often burnt• Largest source of emissions in developing
countries
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Current EvidenceCurrent Evidence
COCO2 2 and temperatureand temperature
– Measured by analyzing radioisotopes in rocks, Measured by analyzing radioisotopes in rocks, fossils, ocean sediments, ice coresfossils, ocean sediments, ice cores
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11http://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m2011/finalwebsite/graphics/climate/tempmap1.png
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EvidenceEvidence COCO22 and Temperature and Temperature
GlaciersGlaciers
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GlaciersGlaciers• Have been shrinking throughout the Have been shrinking throughout the
20th Century20th Century• Why is this a problem?Why is this a problem?
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EvidenceEvidence COCO22 and Temperature and Temperature
GlaciersGlaciers Polar IcePolar Ice
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Arctic Ice• Perennial ice may be 10 or more feet thick
• New ice is only one to seven feet thick
• Since 1970 a 10% loss of ice cover per decade
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Energy and the Greenhouse Energy and the Greenhouse EffectEffect
Surfaces that reflect energy have a highSurfaces that reflect energy have a high albedoalbedo..– Fresh clean snow Fresh clean snow 90% 90%– Dark soil Dark soil 3%3%– Net average of earth Net average of earth 30%30%
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Albedo EffectAlbedo Effect
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PermafrostPermafrost• About 10% of Earth’s surface has permafrostAbout 10% of Earth’s surface has permafrost
• In the last 11,000 years, the permafrost has In the last 11,000 years, the permafrost has not thawed not thawed – None None of the vegetation has decayedof the vegetation has decayed
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PermafrostPermafrost• Alaska permafrost Alaska permafrost
temperature has increased temperature has increased 0.5° to 1.5° C since 1980, 0.5° to 1.5° C since 1980,
• Serious effects include Serious effects include – forest damageforest damage– sinking roads and buildingssinking roads and buildings– eroding tundra riverbankseroding tundra riverbanks– changes in tundra changes in tundra
vegetationvegetation– increased carbon dioxide increased carbon dioxide
and methane emissionsand methane emissions
24http://benmuse.typepad.com/ben_muse/images/2007/10/10/sinkhole_5.png
25http://www.global-greenhouse-warming.com/images/PermafrostDrunkenForest.jpg
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PermafrostPermafrost• A University of Alaska at A University of Alaska at
Fairbanks team found that the Fairbanks team found that the permafrost gave off 5X as permafrost gave off 5X as much methane as previously much methane as previously estimated estimated
• Defrosting could release nearly Defrosting could release nearly 1,000 gigatons of carbon stored 1,000 gigatons of carbon stored and hasten global warming. and hasten global warming. • Problem?Problem?
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EvidenceEvidence COCO22 and Temperature and Temperature
GlaciersGlaciers Polar IcePolar Ice Weather SeverityWeather Severity
– Droughts, hurricanes, tropical stormsDroughts, hurricanes, tropical storms
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EvidenceEvidence• COCO22 and Temperature and Temperature
• GlaciersGlaciers
• Polar IcePolar Ice
• Weather SeverityWeather Severity
• Biome ChangesBiome Changes
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Oceans absorb COOceans absorb CO22
• COCO22 in water makes in water makes
Carbonic AcidCarbonic Acid
• Greater acidity of oceans is Greater acidity of oceans is bleaching coralbleaching coral
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ConsequenceConsequence• Cold EuropeCold Europe
• Increased melting from Greenland could dilute Increased melting from Greenland could dilute ocean water and stop the water from sinking near ocean water and stop the water from sinking near Greenland and shut down the mixing of the Greenland and shut down the mixing of the waterswaters
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Antarctica
Cold water melting fromAntarctica's ice cap and
icebergs falls to the ocean floor and surges northward, affecting
worldwide circulation.
Cold water melting fromAntarctica's ice cap and
icebergs falls to the ocean floor and surges northward, affecting
worldwide circulation.
GreenlandGreenland
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ConsequenceConsequence• Cold Europe Cold Europe
• Increased SmogIncreased Smog
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ConsequenceConsequence• Cold Europe Cold Europe
• Increased SmogIncreased Smog
• Spread of Tropical DiseaseSpread of Tropical Diseasess
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ConsequenceConsequence• Cold Europe Cold Europe
• Increased SmogIncreased Smog
• Spread of Tropical DiseasesSpread of Tropical Diseases
• Changes in BiodiversityChanges in Biodiversity
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Changes in BiodiversityChanges in BiodiversityBiomes
Shift of Alpine biomes up mountains and further North/South
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Changes in BiodiversityChanges in Biodiversity
Die-offs Coral bleaching die-offs of up to 50% in the Indian Ocean
Biomes Shift of Alpine biomes up mountains and
further North/South
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Changes in BiodiversityChanges in Biodiversity
Die-offs
Extinctions
Coral bleaching die-offs of up to 50% in the Indian Ocean
Golden Toads, Harlequin Frogs, ...
Biomes Shift of Alpine biomes up mountains and
further North/South
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Global Warming Already Causing Global Warming Already Causing Extinctions, Scientists SayExtinctions, Scientists Say
Hannah Hoag for Hannah Hoag for National Geographic NewsNational Geographic News November 28, 2006 November 28, 2006
• In Costa Rica about 2/3 of the 110 known In Costa Rica about 2/3 of the 110 known Harlequin frog species are extinctHarlequin frog species are extinct
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Global Warming Already Causing Global Warming Already Causing Extinctions, Scientists SayExtinctions, Scientists Say
Hannah Hoag for Hannah Hoag for National Geographic NewsNational Geographic News November 28, 2006 November 28, 2006
• In Antarctica, the Adélie penguin on Litchfield In Antarctica, the Adélie penguin on Litchfield Island has disappeared. Island has disappeared.
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Changes in BiodiversityChanges in Biodiversity
Die-offs
Extinctions
Life Cycles
Coral bleaching die-offs of up to 50% in the Indian Ocean
Golden Toads, Harlequin Frogs, ...
Gothic marmots emerge from hibernation about a month earlier than 30 years ago
Biomes Shift of Alpine biomes up mountains and
further North/South
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Changes in BiodiversityChanges in Biodiversity
Die-offs
Extinctions
Life Cycles
Physiology
Coral bleaching die-offs of up to 50% in the Indian Ocean
Golden Toads, Harlequin Frogs, ...
Gothic marmots emerge from hibernation about a month earlier than 30 years ago
The average weight of adult female polar bears has decreased by more than 20% over
the last 25 years
Biomes Shift of Alpine biomes up mountains and
further North/South
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Changes in BiodiversityChanges in Biodiversity
Die-offs
Extinctions
Life Cycles
Physiology
Coral bleaching die-offs of up to 50% in the Indian Ocean
Golden Toads, Harlequin Frogs, ...
Gothic marmots emerge from hibernation about a month earlier than 30 years ago
The average weight of adult female polar bears has decreased by more than 20% over
the last 25 years
Biomes Shift of Alpine biomes up mountains and
further North/South
Migration Multiple areas affected
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Routes farther NorthRoutes farther North
European Bee-Eaters
•once very rare in Germany
•now breeding throughout
The Rosy-Breasted Trumpeter Finch
•Normal range: arid North Africa and the Middle East
•Extended range: large numbers in southern Spain.
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Habitat ChangesHabitat ChangesPermafrost is thawing and Arctic tundra is being replaced by forest
Desertification is occurring in Africa
Sea levels are rising
Hurricanes are more frequent in the Caribbean
Antarctic waters are getting warmer and the ice is melting affecting sea salinity
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Habitat ChangesHabitat Changes
There is likely to be a general shift of species towards the poles, reducing the range of species most adapted to colder waters.
The Common Dolphin, a warm water species is increasing its range
The White-beaked Dolphin’s range is reducing.
Predators are following their prey as prey species (ex. fish) change their mean latitude and/or depth.
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ConsequenceConsequence• Cold Europe Cold Europe
• Increased SmogIncreased Smog
• Spread of Tropical DiseasesSpread of Tropical Diseases
• Changes in BiodiversityChanges in Biodiversity
• Droughts and firesDroughts and fires
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ConsequenceConsequence• Cold Europe Cold Europe
• Increased SmogIncreased Smog
• Spread of Tropical DiseasesSpread of Tropical Diseases
• Changes in BiodiversityChanges in Biodiversity
• Droughts and firesDroughts and fires
• Sea levels riseSea levels rise
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Positive FeedbackPositive Feedback• Oceans currents and COOceans currents and CO22 levels levels
– Cold deep resurface and emit COCold deep resurface and emit CO22
• Permafrost meltingPermafrost melting– COCO22 and methane released by decomposition and methane released by decomposition
• Arctic ice meltingArctic ice melting– Less reflection of sunlight – water and land Less reflection of sunlight – water and land
heat upheat up
• DesertificationDesertification– Soil dries out and releases COSoil dries out and releases CO22