global warming

Global Warming

Stephanie Fendrick

What is Global Warming?What is Global Warming?

Global warming is defined as an increase in the average temperature of Earth’s surface.

Global warming is defined as an increase in the average temperature of Earth’s surface.

How Warm is it Getting?How Warm is it Getting?

Between 1880 and 2000, global annual average temperatures rose about 1.2°F.

Between 2000 and 2100, scientists estimate that global annual average temperatures will rise anywhere between about 3.5°F and 8°F.

That rate of increase would be much larger than most rates of past increases.

Of the 20 hottest years on record, 19 occurred in the 1980’s or later.

Between 1880 and 2000, global annual average temperatures rose about 1.2°F.

Between 2000 and 2100, scientists estimate that global annual average temperatures will rise anywhere between about 3.5°F and 8°F.

That rate of increase would be much larger than most rates of past increases.

Of the 20 hottest years on record, 19 occurred in the 1980’s or later.

Causes of Global WarmingCauses of Global Warming

A majority of climatologists have concluded that human activities are responsible for most of the warming.

The main human activities that contribute to global warming are the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) and the clearing of land.

Most of the burning occurs in automobiles, in factories, and in electric power plants.

A majority of climatologists have concluded that human activities are responsible for most of the warming.

The main human activities that contribute to global warming are the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) and the clearing of land.

Most of the burning occurs in automobiles, in factories, and in electric power plants.


The burning of fossil fuels creates carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that slows the escape of heat into space.

The clearing of land contributes to the buildup of CO2 by reducing the rate at which the gas is removed from the atmosphere or by decomposition of dead vegetation.

The burning of fossil fuels creates carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that slows the escape of heat into space.

The clearing of land contributes to the buildup of CO2 by reducing the rate at which the gas is removed from the atmosphere or by decomposition of dead vegetation.


Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution:

Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have increased nearly 30%

Methane concentrations have more than doubled

Nitrous oxide concentrations have risen by about 15%.

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution:

Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have increased nearly 30%

Methane concentrations have more than doubled

Nitrous oxide concentrations have risen by about 15%.

Who’s to Blame?Who’s to Blame?The U.S. is the world’s #1 global warming

polluter and #2 per capita, with 23% of the world’s global warming pollution yet only 4% of the world’s people.

The U.S. uses twice as much energy as Europe to achieve roughly the same standard of living.

In 1997, 1998 and 1999 China, which emits half the amount of pollution as the U.S., cut its coal burning, decreasing its carbon emissions, at the same time that U.S. emissions continued to increase.

The U.S. is the world’s #1 global warming polluter and #2 per capita, with 23% of the world’s global warming pollution yet only 4% of the world’s people.

The U.S. uses twice as much energy as Europe to achieve roughly the same standard of living.

In 1997, 1998 and 1999 China, which emits half the amount of pollution as the U.S., cut its coal burning, decreasing its carbon emissions, at the same time that U.S. emissions continued to increase.

Effects of Global Warming:Higher Sea Levels

Effects of Global Warming:Higher Sea Levels

Warmer global temperatures lead to more melting of the polar ice caps and other surface ice.

Greenland ice is melting twice as fast as it was in 1996.

This melting leads to higher sea levels, which could swallow up large coastal areas.

Warmer global temperatures lead to more melting of the polar ice caps and other surface ice.

Greenland ice is melting twice as fast as it was in 1996.

This melting leads to higher sea levels, which could swallow up large coastal areas.

Effects of Global Warming: Higher Sea Levels

Effects of Global Warming: Higher Sea Levels

The loss of the planet’s ice cover also alters its relationship with the sun.

Polar ice has a high albedo, ocean water has a low albedo.

As more polar ice melts into the ocean, less heat is reflected by the planet, and more is absorbed by the ocean.

The loss of the planet’s ice cover also alters its relationship with the sun.

Polar ice has a high albedo, ocean water has a low albedo.

As more polar ice melts into the ocean, less heat is reflected by the planet, and more is absorbed by the ocean.

Effects of Global Warming:Even More CO2


Permafrost is land that has been continuously frozen for a long period of time. It has been melting at an unprecedented rate.

As the permafrost melts, it releases partially decayed organic matter, also releasing gases that will turn into methane and CO2.

It is estimated that 200-800 gigatons of carbon exist buried in permafrost. By comparison, human carbon output is 7 gigatons per year.

Permafrost is land that has been continuously frozen for a long period of time. It has been melting at an unprecedented rate.

As the permafrost melts, it releases partially decayed organic matter, also releasing gases that will turn into methane and CO2.

It is estimated that 200-800 gigatons of carbon exist buried in permafrost. By comparison, human carbon output is 7 gigatons per year.



All glaciers in the park will be gone by 2070 if retreat continues at its current rate.

The photo is a comparison of the size of Grinnell Glacier. The top image was taken in 1911; bottom image was taken in 2000.

All glaciers in the park will be gone by 2070 if retreat continues at its current rate.

The photo is a comparison of the size of Grinnell Glacier. The top image was taken in 1911; bottom image was taken in 2000.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Effects of Global Warming:Endangered Marine Life

Effects of Global Warming:Endangered Marine Life

Water that is warmer than normal by only 2° to 3�°F has been linked to coral bleaching. When corals bleach, they expel the algae that give them their color and nourishment. The corals turn white and, unless the water temperature cools, they die.

Warmer water also leads to the spread of diseases that affect sea life.

Polar bears are drowning as warmer waters widen the distance from ice floe to ice floe.

Water that is warmer than normal by only 2° to 3�°F has been linked to coral bleaching. When corals bleach, they expel the algae that give them their color and nourishment. The corals turn white and, unless the water temperature cools, they die.

Warmer water also leads to the spread of diseases that affect sea life.

Polar bears are drowning as warmer waters widen the distance from ice floe to ice floe.

Effects of Global Warming:Changes of Habitat

Effects of Global Warming:Changes of Habitat

Plants and animals generally react to consistently warmer temperatures by moving to higher latitudes and elevations, taking them out of their natural habitat.

Recent studies reveal that some species have already started to shift their ranges, consistent with warming trends.

Plants and animals generally react to consistently warmer temperatures by moving to higher latitudes and elevations, taking them out of their natural habitat.

Recent studies reveal that some species have already started to shift their ranges, consistent with warming trends.

Effects of Global Warming:Drought


Global warming also leads to drought conditions in dry regions.

Higher temperatures bake moisture out of the soil faster.

The percentage of Earth’s surface suffering drought has more than doubled since the 1970’s.

Global warming also leads to drought conditions in dry regions.

Higher temperatures bake moisture out of the soil faster.

The percentage of Earth’s surface suffering drought has more than doubled since the 1970’s.



Melbourne, Florida endured 24 days above 95°�F; nighttime temperatures in Tampa remained above 80�°F for 12 days.

The photo is a dry lake during drought in Orlando.

Melbourne, Florida endured 24 days above 95°�F; nighttime temperatures in Tampa remained above 80�°F for 12 days.

The photo is a dry lake during drought in Orlando.



In dry mountainous regions, water comes from the snowpack that collects on peaks all winter and slowly melts off in warm months.

Early arrival of spring and hot summers cause the snowpack to melt too early, so by the time it’s needed, it’s gone.

Snowpack levels in CA, WA and OR are a fraction of what they were in the 1940’s.

In dry mountainous regions, water comes from the snowpack that collects on peaks all winter and slowly melts off in warm months.

Early arrival of spring and hot summers cause the snowpack to melt too early, so by the time it’s needed, it’s gone.

Snowpack levels in CA, WA and OR are a fraction of what they were in the 1940’s.

Effects of Global Warming:Extreme Weather


Extreme weather conditions might become more frequent and therefore more damaging.

Changes in rainfall patterns could increase both flooding and drought in some areas.

More hurricanes and other tropical storms might occur, and they could become more powerful. Warmer water is like rocket fuel for typhoons and hurricanes.

Extreme weather conditions might become more frequent and therefore more damaging.

Changes in rainfall patterns could increase both flooding and drought in some areas.

More hurricanes and other tropical storms might occur, and they could become more powerful. Warmer water is like rocket fuel for typhoons and hurricanes.



Two studies last year found that in the past 35 years the number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes worldwide has doubled.

Also, the wind speed and duration of all hurricanes has increased 50%.

Warmer temperatures means tropical storms could start turning up in non-tropical places.

Two studies last year found that in the past 35 years the number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes worldwide has doubled.

Also, the wind speed and duration of all hurricanes has increased 50%.

Warmer temperatures means tropical storms could start turning up in non-tropical places.

Effects of Global Warming:Human Health

Effects of Global Warming:Human Health

Tropical diseases, such as malaria and dengue, might spread to larger regions.

Longer-lasting and more intense heat waves could cause more deaths and illnesses.

Floods and droughts could increase hunger and malnutrition.

Tropical diseases, such as malaria and dengue, might spread to larger regions.

Longer-lasting and more intense heat waves could cause more deaths and illnesses.

Floods and droughts could increase hunger and malnutrition.

What Can We Do?What Can We Do?

Limit CO2 emissions. Two effective techniques for limiting CO2 emissions would be (1) to replace fossil fuels with energy sources that do not emit CO2, and (2) to use fossil fuels more efficiently.

Limit CO2 emissions. Two effective techniques for limiting CO2 emissions would be (1) to replace fossil fuels with energy sources that do not emit CO2, and (2) to use fossil fuels more efficiently.

Alternative Energy Sources

Alternative Energy Sources

Alternative energy sources that do not emit CO2 include the wind, sunlight, nuclear energy, and underground steam.

Devices known as wind turbines can convert wind energy to electric energy.

Solar cells can convert sunlight to electric energy, and various devices can convert solar energy to useful heat.

Geothermal power plants convert energy in underground steam to electric energy.

Alternative energy sources that do not emit CO2 include the wind, sunlight, nuclear energy, and underground steam.

Devices known as wind turbines can convert wind energy to electric energy.

Solar cells can convert sunlight to electric energy, and various devices can convert solar energy to useful heat.

Geothermal power plants convert energy in underground steam to electric energy.

The Kyoto AccordThe Kyoto Accord Delegates from more than 160 countries met in Kyoto,

Japan, in 1997 to draft the agreement that became known as the Kyoto Protocol. That agreement calls for decreases in the emissions of greenhouse gases.

The protocol would take effect as a treaty if (1) at least 55 countries ratified it, and (2) the industrialized countries ratifying the protocol had CO2 emissions in 1990 that equaled at least 55 percent of the emissions of all 38 industrialized countries in 1990.

By early 2003, more than 100 countries, including nearly all the countries classified as industrialized under the protocol, had ratified the agreement. The U.S., under President Bush, has refused to ratify the Kyoto Accord.

Delegates from more than 160 countries met in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997 to draft the agreement that became known as the Kyoto Protocol. That agreement calls for decreases in the emissions of greenhouse gases.

The protocol would take effect as a treaty if (1) at least 55 countries ratified it, and (2) the industrialized countries ratifying the protocol had CO2 emissions in 1990 that equaled at least 55 percent of the emissions of all 38 industrialized countries in 1990.

By early 2003, more than 100 countries, including nearly all the countries classified as industrialized under the protocol, had ratified the agreement. The U.S., under President Bush, has refused to ratify the Kyoto Accord.

BibliographyBibliography

http://www.climatehotmap.orghttp://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/globalwarming.htmlKluger, Jeffrey, “The Tipping Point.”

Time 3 April 2006: 28-42.World Book Multimedia

Encyclopedia. CD-ROM. World Book, Inc.: 2004.

http://www.climatehotmap.orghttp://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/globalwarming.htmlKluger, Jeffrey, “The Tipping Point.”

Time 3 April 2006: 28-42.World Book Multimedia

Encyclopedia. CD-ROM. World Book, Inc.: 2004.

http://www.climatehotmap.org/

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/globalwarming.html


http://www.climatehotmap.org/



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