Greenhouse Gases, Global Warming,Climate Change and Connecticut
Laurel KohlEdited by Ms. Mandel
Institute for Sustainable EnergyEastern Connecticut State University
D23
Explain how the accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere increases Earth’s “greenhouse” effect and may cause climate changes
Learning Targets
• I can explain the Greenhouse Effect• I can name the effects of global warming• I can identify strategies to reduce climate
change/global warming
What Do You Think About When Someone Says Global Warming?
• ?• ?• ?• ?• ?
Greenhouse EffectWhat happens in the greenhouse effect?
Greenhouse Effect
• Is the greenhouse effect necessary for life on Earth? Why?– Yes. Keeps the Earth at a temperature that can
sustain life.• How do human activities intensify the
warming effect?– Adds greenhouse gases to the atmosphere
Greenhouse Effect
• What gases are considered greenhouse gases?– CO2
– CH4
– H2O
– N2O
Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Fossil fuel combustion
• Land use patterns
• Deforestation • Land clearing • Agriculture• Incinerators
CARBON DIOXIDE
• Cud-chewing processes of domesticated animals
• Flooded rice or paddy fields
• Waste dumps• Oil drilling• Coal mining• Leaking gas
pipelines
METHANE
• Fertilizer application
• Fossil fuel combustion
NITROUS OXIDE
Source: http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/climate/causes.htm
Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Industrial processes
Fluorinated Gases
Source: http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/climate/causes.htm
Does CO2 have the Greatest Heat-Trapping Abilities?
• No–CH4
• 20X–N2O
• 300X
www.epa.gov
What regions of the United States emit the greatest amounts of CO2?
• Large population of people
• More industry
Why?
• Northeast US• Areas with large cities
http://news.uns.purdue.edu/images/+2008/gurneyvulcan1.jpg
Learning Target Checkpoint
• What is the greenhouse effect?
What has been happening to the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?• Increasing• What happens when
the amount of GHGs in the atmosphere increases?
• Accelerated greenhouse effect
• Global Warming
What are the possible effects from Global Warming?
• Rising sea levels• Threatened cultures• Increased agricultural
yields• Decreased snowpack• Severe storms• Water shortages• Changing range of
diseases• Loss of biodiversity
• Species extinction• Changes in precipitation• Flooding• Reduced tourism• Heat waves • Reduced growing
seasons• Receding glaciers• Changing forests• Climate change
What does Climate Change mean in Connecticut?
Predicted Changes in New England Average Annual Temperature
2.5 – 7₀F
(from 4-12 ₀F by the end of this
century depending on the
scenario)
http://www.climatechoices.org/ne/impacts_ne/temperatures.html
From National Weather Service, Climate Prediction Center http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/regional_monitoring/12cavg0.gif
CT about 50 ₀F
Average Temperature ₀F
Average temp (₀F)October 2008
Average temp (₀F)Jan-Dec 2007
From National Weather Service, Climate Prediction Center http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/regional_monitoring/12cavg0.gif
CHANGES IN AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE
Your average October day, 5 degrees warmer (~55 ₀F) in 2040
Changing Climate —
What would Bridgeport feel like if it was more like a Norfolk, VA climate?
Or Savannah, GA??
www.climatechoices.org and www.nrcc.cornell.edu
Changing Climate —
What would Bridgeport feel like if it was more like a Norfolk, VA climate?Or Savannah, GA??
www.climatechoices.org and www.nrcc.cornell.edu
Normal Minimum Temperature
Normals 1961-1990 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual
BRIDGEPORT, CT 21.9 23.2 30.9 39.8 50.0 59.1 65.7 65.1 57.6 47.1 38.2 27.6 43.9
NORFOLK, VA 30.9 32.3 39.3 47.1 56.8 65.2 70.0 69.4 64.2 52.9 43.8 35.4 50.6
SAVANNAH, GA 38.1 41.1 48.3 54.5 62.9 69.2 72.4 72.2 67.8 56.9 48.1 41.0 56.0
Sea Level Rise
• Now rising 8 inches per century
• Likely to rise another 22 inches by 2100
• Cost to protect Connecticut’s coastline from a 20-inch sea level rise could be $0.5-$3 billion
Erosion of coastlines and beaches Loss of habitats Affects on tourism and industries
http://www.nextgenerationearth.org/contents/view/15 and http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/files/connecticut_factsheet_v2.pdf
From the Connecticut Health Foundation http://data.cthealth.org/Portals/0/documents/env_emergency_mgt.pdf
AquaticEcosystems
FloodCoasts
From the Connecticut Health Foundation http://data.cthealth.org/Portals/0/documents/env_airqualityindex.pdf
10
8
73
21Ecosystem
Health
Union of Concerned Scientistshttp://www.climatechoices.org/ne/impacts_ne/heat_hartford.html
Connecticut and Regional Effects
Plants and Animals
• May become more vulnerable to pest insects and diseases
• May need to compete with invasive non-native
• May produce fewer seeds (beechnuts, hickory nuts, and acorns) and fruit (wild cherries) that many animals
depend on for food
• May change their distribution patterns and species combinations
• Subjected to more frequent fires, floods, more erosion
• Habitats retreat into Canada and higher altitudeshttp://www.fs.fed.us/nrs/news/review/review-vol01.pdfhttp://www.snefci.org/
Trees
From US Global Change Research Programhttp://www.usgcrp.gov/usgcrp/Library/nationalassessment/19FO.pdf
Habitat Retreat
Algal BloomWarmer seas could contribute to the increased intensity, duration, and extent of harmful algal blooms. These blooms damage habitat and shellfish nurseries, can be toxic to humans, and can carry bacteria like those causing cholera.
InsectsWarming and other climate changes could expand the habitat and infectivity of disease-carrying insects. Lyme disease, which is carried by ticks, has increased in Connecticut.
Source: http://www.nextgenerationearth.org/contents/view/15
Learning Target Checkpoint
• What are the effects of global warming?
Is it All Doom and Gloom?
• No• What can be done?
– Use less fossil fuels– Get involved– Drive a fuel efficient vehicle– Conserve energy at home– Recycle– Spread the word
What Types of Green Energy Does CT Have Available?
• Wind• Solar• Geothermal• Hydroelectric• Biomass
What is Connecticut Doing About Climate Change?• CT Climate Action Plan (2005)
• CT Act for Energy Independence
• Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
First Auction Sept. 2008
Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont
$38.5 million in proceeds
Funding for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
What is Connecticut Doing About Climate Change?• Green Schools Legislation
• CT Energy Efficiency Fund and CT Clean Energy Fund
• Kids’ Initiatives• Keep Connecticut Cool Contest
Learning Target Checkpoint
• What can be done to slow down global warming?
ResourcesUnion of Concerned Scientist’s Climate Choices
www.climatechoices.orgNortheast Regional Climate Center
www.nrcc.cornell.edu Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
www.ipcc.ch Fourth Assessment Report (2007) www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg1/ar4-wg1-spm.pdf
Connecticut Climate Changewww.ctclimatechange.org
Connecticut Energy Advisory Boardwww.ctenergy.org
ResourcesConnecticut Energy Info
www.ctenergyinfo.com CT Energy Education
www.ctenergyeducation.com Keep Connecticut Cool Contest
www.keepconnecticutcool.orgUS Forest Service
http://nrs.fs.fed.us/disturbance/climate_change/
http://www.fs.fed.us/nrs/news/review/review-vol01.pdf
Woods Hole Research Center, New England Forests www.whrc.org/new_england/forest_ecol.htm
