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The Climate is Changing: What does it mean for our future?
Megan Goold
U.S. EPA Region 3
Erie County Climate Summit
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Some definitions…
Weather: A specific event or condition that happens over a period of
hours or days
Climate: Average weather conditions in a place over many years
Climate change: Any substantial change in temperature or
precipitation lasting for an extended period (decades or longer).
• Did you know? Global warming only represents one aspect of
climate change
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Greenhouse Effect
Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
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Climate changes
• Increase Earth's average temperature
• Influence the patterns and amounts of precipitation
• Reduce ice and snow cover, as well as permafrost
• Raise sea level
• Increase the acidity of the oceans
• Increase the frequency, intensity, and/or duration of extreme
events
• Shift ecosystem characteristics
• Increase threats to human health
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Expected Impacts of Climate
Change
Climate Changes
Temperature Sea Level Rise
Precipitation
• Erosion and inundation of coastal lands • Costs of protecting vulnerable lands
Coastal Areas
• Geographic range • Health, composition, and productivity
Forests
•Pest management • Irrigation demand • Crop yields •Desertification and land degradation
Agriculture
• Weather-related deaths • Infectious diseases • Air quality - respiratory illnesses
• Loss of habitat and diversity • Species range shifts • Ecosystem services •Land degradation •Stratospheric ozone depletion
•Changes in precipitation, water quality, and water supply
Water Resources
Ecosystems Health
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