climate change & tropical storms
Post on 18-Feb-2017
39 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
Climate Change & Tropical
StormsChristen McAllister
True or False?
There is a direct relationship between climate, oceans and hurricanes.
Climate Change Defined●What is Climate Change?
○ Rise in average surface temperatures on Earth
○ Due to?
■ Fossil fuels
■ Release of greenhouse gases into the environment
■ Traps the heat released
● Effects our ecosystems
○ Rising sea levels
○ Severe weather events
Main FocusGreenhouse gases
Most come from fossil fuels - cars, factories, electricity production
Most Responsible? CO2
Percentage of the total emitted GHGs
Methane - Landfills & Agriculture
Nitrous Oxide - Fertilizer, Refrigeration and Industrial Processes, etc.
Fluorinated Gases - Gases used in Industrial Applications
Created by burning fuels - oil, natural gases, organic-diesel, petrol, ethanol
Dramatic increase in last 50 years
Impact of Climate Change on StormsEffects of Global Warming
Rising Sea Levels
Increase in temperature → warm water expands
Ice sheets are melting
Higher sea level = bigger storm surges
Warmer Ocean Temperatures
Sponge accumulating in air due to human activity
Less cold, subsurface ocean water
Cooler waters serve as breaking mechanisms
EX? Hurricane Katrina
Warmer Air
Holds more water vapor than cold air → heavier rainfall
Rising temperature causes increase in atmospheric WV content
Increased moisture provides additional fuel
Global Warming Policy USA is the 2nd worst polluter in the world
Climate change law is more than 50 years old → Clean Air Act 1963
Supreme Court didn’t link GHGs/air pollutants to climate change until 2007
Kyoto Protocol
Treaty committing State Parties to reduce GHGs
Binding - Ratified in 2005
Based on premise A and B
Senate vote against treaty 95-0; withdrew U.S support
North Carolina
House Bill 819 → In response to 2010 Sea Level Report
Projections of increased sea level (39in)
Saw as threat to future development along coast
Restricts all sea-level predictions used to guide state policies for the next four years to those based on "historical data."
Global Warming Policy Continued● North Carolina
○ “If your science gives you a result that you don't like, pass a law saying that the result is illegal"
■ Refusing to recognize future predictions
● Paris Agreement 2020
○ Agreement within the UNFCCC → GHG mitigation/adaptation/finance
○ USA and China recently ratified (Co-drafted/signed)
○ Pledge to cut emissions 26-28% by 2025
○ Issues with Trump
● Copenhagan Accord
○ Explicit emission pledges by all major economies
○ Endorse contrinuation of Kyotot Protocol
○ Non-binding
Important Steps to Take● Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
● Use less heat and air conditioning
● Build energy-efficient products
● Turn off lights, appliances when not in use
● Cautious of transportation
● Limit use of hot water
Thank you!
top related