Index

Reasons of Global Warming The Impact of global warming on

the nature Causes and Effects What We Can Do

Solar energy

passes through

Radiant

heat is

trapped

Greenhouse gases in atmosphere

Reasons of Global Warming

“Greenhouse gases” (e.g. carbon dioxide, methane,

nitrous oxide, CFC’s) trap heat i

n the earth’s atmosphere.

Burning carbon-containing fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide

(Combustion)

C + O2 CO2

CO2: The Most Significant Greenhouse Pollutant

CO2 + H20 HCO3- + H+

Water becomes

more acidic.

(ACID)

Remains in the

atmosphere

(greenhouse gas)

Dissolves in

sea water

CO2

CO2

“The surface ocean currently absorbs about one-fourth of

the CO2 emitted to the atmosphere from human activities.”

1.8

1.4

1.1

0.7

0.4

0

-0.4

-0.7

-1.1

Glo

ba

l Te

mp

era

ture

Cha

nge

(de

g F

)

Year1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000

380

360

340

320

300

280

CO

2C

on

ce

ntra

tion (p

pm

)

1000 Years of CO2 and

Global Temperature Change

Temperature

CO2

Humans have

increased carbon

dioxide (CO2) in the

atmosphere by

more than 37%since the Industrial

Revolution.

The Arctic Ocean could be ice-free in summer by 2040-according to U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research

2000 2040

“Climate change is the m

ost severe problem that

we are facing today.”

“And it’s reason is

nothing but the

GLOBAL WARMING”

Melting ice, glaciers

and permafrost

Animals

Wetlands and forests

Weather and storms

People and culture

1958

2003

“A warming climate will damage Alaska’s infrastructure because it was

designed for a cold climate.”

Damage to infrastructure may add $3.6 to $6.1 billion (10% to 20%) to

future costs for public infrastructure from now to 2030 and $5.6 to $7.6

billion (10% to 12%) from now to 2080

Oyster contamination in summer of 2004

Hazardous travel, hunting and fishing

Adverse dietary impacts

Beaver range expanding

Health damage from fires --respiratory illnesses, especially in elderly, children

Water and sewer failures

West Nile virus, Lyme disease threats

Bangladesh: More than 17 million

people within 3 feet of sea level

Tuvalu: Island nation, highest elevation

15 ft; mostly less than 1m

Lohachara: First inhabited island

(10,000 people) submergedBangladesh

Tuvalu Lohachara