Climate Change…

and

Global Warming

Different Terms:

GLOBAL WARMING …a part of climate

change, it concerns the increase of the Earth’s average surface temperature

CLIMATE CHANGE …broader term

including many changes in climate, such as temperature, wind & ocean currents, precipitation.

CLIMATE CHANGETemperature

Currents

Precipitation

Key Questions

• Is the climate changing?

• If so, do the actions of humans contribute to the changes?

• If so, what can/should be done about these issues?

Key Questions

Who Studies?

Numerous Scientific Organizations

Leading University Researchers

Fossil Fuel Industry

Key Questions

What are the Most Relevant Areas of Science?

Climatology

Oceanography

Meteorology

Atmospheric Science

The Sides…Concerned or Alarmed

• Over 97% of climatologists, atmospheric scientists, oceanographers and meteorologists agree:

- The Earth is Warming

- Increased Greenhouse gases are the cause

Skeptics and Deniers

• Less than 3% of scientists in these key fields claim:

- The Earth may begetting warmer, but

- It is part of a natural climate cycleDO

SOMETHING NOW

DO NOTHING

Key Terms

• Solar Energy

• Radiation Cooling

• Greenhouse Gases

• Carbon Dioxide

Solar Energy

Solar Energy

Heats planet – without solar energy, Earth would be too cold

Plants use light from Sun to grow, and to produce the oxygen we breath

Radiation Cooling• radiational cooling  (rā′dē-ā′shə-nəl)

- The cooling of the Earth's surface, occurring mostly at night.

- It is caused by the emission of infrared radiation from the Earth's surface, the tops of clouds, and the atmosphere.

- It is important in maintaining the Earth's energy balance.

Solar Energy and Radiation Cooling

Sun

Earth’s Temperature

Solar

Energy

RadiationCooling

Sun

Earth’s Temperature

Solar

Energy

RadiationCooling

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the

atmosphere are called greenhouse

gases.

Greenhouse Gases

How Global Warming Works

Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

The Sun’s energy passes through the car’s windshield.

This energy (heat) is trapped inside the car and cannot pass back through the windshield, causing the inside of the car to warm up.

Example of the Greenhouse Effect

The U.S. emits about 5.4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases annually, 17.6 tons of CO2 per American.

Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for approximately 100 years, methane lasts about 12 years.

As these gases continue to raise surface temperatures, they trigger the release of even more carbon dioxide and methane that are currently trapped in frozen Arctic permafrost and tundra soils, further increasing temperatures.

5.4 billion metric tons CO2/yr

These greenhouse gases last a long time…

Warming begets more warming…

A “feedback mechanism” …

CO2 Atmospheric Measurements

CO2 Measurements Since 1958 – Mauna Loa, Hawaii

Ice Core Data

CO2 Measurements Before 1958 - Antarctica

CARBON EMISSIONS BY COUNTRY (Millions of Tons in 2007)

DEFORESTATION

o PLANTS AND TREES ABSORB CO2

o PLANTS AND TREES EXHALE O2

o AS THE NUMBER OF PLANTS AND TREES ARE REDUCED, THERE IS A HIGHER CONCENTRATION OF CO2 IN THE ATMOSPHERE

ICE SURFACES

o ICE REFLECTS SOLAR ENERGY

o AS ICE MELTS, LAND AND WATER ABSORB MORE HEAT

o AS THE EARTH ABSORBS MORE HEAT, MORE ICE MELTS

Future Carbon Dioxide Levels

• Significant increases in CO2 emissions

– Massive development in China, India and other advancing nations

– Increased coal usage

Of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions come from households:

• Vehicles

• Home Heating

• Electricity

Households are Big Contributors to Climate Change

Effects of Global Warming

So how can each of us slow global warming now?

What’s being done now to reduce our emissions?

Solar Power Wind Power Fuel-Efficiency

Because greenhouse gas emissions are tied very closely to our energy consumption, using less fossil fuel puts fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Reduce Consumption of Fossil Fuels

Mountaintop removal for coal mining near Rawl, West Virginia.

50% of electricity in the United States is produced from coal.

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Small changes add up…

Replace your old refrigerator with a new Energy Star: Annual savings: $90; 700 pounds CO2

Set your thermostat down a few degrees in the winterAnnual savings: $135; 1400 pounds CO2

Wash clothes in cold water onlyAnnual savings: $70; 500 pounds CO2

Drive JUST 10 fewer miles per weekAnnual savings: $80; 520 pounds CO2

Reduce your garbage by 10% through greater recycling or reduced packagingAnnual savings: 1200 pounds CO2

Caulk and weather-strip around doors and windowsAnnual savings: $80; 650 pounds CO2