What is global warming?
• Global warming is a natural phenomenon, and there isnothing realistic that mankind
• can do to significantly change the global temperature.
Before After
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
Greenhouse EffectGreenhouse EffectSun
Natural Greenhouse effect
More heat is trapped and causes global warming
Atmosphere traps some heat
Some heat goes out to space
Quite a lot of heat is trapped and the earth is warm enough for life.
Enhanced Greenhouse
effectHeat radiates from the earth
Heat radiates from the earth
Atmosphere has more greenhouse gases
Atmosphere traps more heat
Less heat goes out to space
Earth’s Atmospheric GasesNitrogen (N2)
Oxygen (O2)
Water (H2O)
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
>99%
Methane (CH4)
<1%
Non-Greenhouse
Gases
GreenhouseGases
Argon (Ar)
What’s the difference between “global warming” and
“climate change”?
DifferenceGLOBAL WARMING
is the increase of the Earth’s average surface temperature due to a build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
CLIMATE CHANGE is a broader term that
refers to long-term changes in climate, including average temperature and precipitation.
Effects of Global WarmingIncreased Temperature
Habitat Damage and
Species Affected
Changes in Water Supply
Rising Sea Level
What’s the proof that global warming is taking place?
Portage Glacier
1914 2004
• Alaska
Photos: NOAA Photo Collection and Gary Braasch – WorldViewOfGlobalWarming.org
Colorado River• Arizona
June 2002 Dec 2003
Why is global warming happening?
Burning of Fossil Fuels
Pollution from coal, natural gas, and oilPollution from coal, natural gas, and oilPollution from coal, natural gas, and oil
How do humans increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere?
Burning fossil fuels releases the carbon dioxide stored millions of years ago. Most of the increased carbon dioxide comes from fossil fuels
Deforestation releases the carbon stored in trees. Less trees also means less carbon dioxide can be removed from the atmosphere.
How do humans increase methane levels in the atmosphere?
The amount of methane in the atmosphere has increased by two and a half times since the Industrial Revolution.
Increased rubbish in landfill
Increased livestock farming
Increased rice growing
Methane is also released when fossil fuels are extracted
Methane is produced when bacteria rot organic matter
When did global warming start?
Global Atmospheric Concentration of CO2
How is global warming measured?
Ice Core DataIce Core Data
COCO22 Measurements Before 1958 - Antarctica Measurements Before 1958 - Antarctica
CO2 Atmospheric Measurements
CO2 Measurements Since 1958 – Mauna Loa, Hawaii
Temperature (Northern Hemisphere) CO2 Concentrations
1000 Years of CO2 and Global Warming
De
gre
e
Ce
lsiu
s I
nc
rea
se
Pa
rts
Pe
r M
illi
on
Year Year
10
00
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
Sun
Earth’s TemperatureEarth’s Temperature
Solar
Energy
Solar
Energy
Solar
Energy
Solar
Energy
The temperature of the earth is directly related to the energy input from the Sun. Some of the Sun’s energy is reflected by clouds. Other is reflected by ice. The remainder is absorbed by the earth.
Sun
Earth’s TemperatureEarth’s Temperature
Solar
Energy
Solar
Energy
RadiativeCooling
RadiativeCooling
However, if the amount of solar energy is greater than the amount radiated, then the earth heats up.
Sun
Earth’s TemperatureEarth’s Temperature
Solar
Energy
Solar
Energy
RadiativeCooling
RadiativeCooling
If the amount of solar energy is less than the amount radiated, then the earth cools down.
What’s being done now to reduce our emissions?
Solar Power Wind Power Fuel-Efficiency
What can you do to help What can you do to help solve the problem?solve the problem?
Simple Things To Do
Turn off your computer or the TV when you’re not using it.
Take shorter showers. Heating water uses energy.
Keep rooms cool by closing the blinds, shades, or curtains.
Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
Use compact fluorescent bulbs.
Be Bulb Smart—Use CFLs
IncandescentCompact
Fluorescent
500 lbs. of coal
What’s the difference?
•1,430 lbs. CO2 pollution avoided
•$30 saved
Simple Things To Do
Dress lightly when it’s hot instead of turning up
the air conditioning. Or use a fan.
Dress warmly when it’s cold instead of turning up the heat.
Offer to help your parents keep the air filters on
your AC and furnace clean.
Walk short distances instead of asking for a ride in the car.
Plant a tree. Recycle.
We humans are thought to be the main cause of global
warming and climate change……..
but we still have the chance to do something
about it.
We can do it! Best ov luck!
whoa wait! Waat?
• “Some parts of Jupiter are now as much as six degrees Celsius warmer than just a few years ago.” Imke de Pater and Philip Marcus of University of California, Berkeley
• Carbon dioxide "ice caps" near Mars's south pole had been diminishing for three summers in a row. 2005 data from NASA's Mars Global Surveyor and Odyssey missions
“A simultaneous rising in temperature on both Mars and Earth suggest that climate change is indeed a natural phenomenon as opposed to being man-made. Habibullo Abdussamatov, head of space research at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Astronomical Observatory in Russia
• "At least since 1989, Triton, Neptune’s largest moon, has been undergoing a period of global warming," Astronomer James Elliot, professor of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Pluto is undergoing global warming. Over the past 14 years, the average surface temperature increased about 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Astronomer James Elliot
