What We Know

Warm UpWhat are 5 factors (give some natural and some anthropogenic) than can influence climate?

Times Up!Impact of Climate ChangeBrainstorm!!Based on what you know, what you have heard, and what you can infer develop a list of 5 ways that human society could be impacted by climate change. Make a list of 5 ways the Earths ecosystems could be impacted by climate change. Melting IceMelting sea ice (ice caps) = no sea level riseWhy?Melting continental ice (ice sheets) = sea level riseWhy?Disruption of thermohaline current

Ocean LifeOcean acidification and coral bleachingShifting habitats

EcosystemsShifting habitatsPolar bears, American Pica, South American reptiles, waterfowl (migration patterns)

EcosystemsHarmful speciesMountain Pine Beetle: used to be killed off during cold mountain wintersFewer consecutive sub-zero days = beetles survive winter

AgricultureDroughts and floods could reduce yieldsMore CO2 and warmer temps could cause some crops to grow fasterLivestock: Heat and drought could reduce cattle populations (less food) higher meat prices

Human HealthHeat Waves: Heat related deathsAnimal-borne diseases: Warmer temps, more disease carrying insects wide spread disease (Lime disease, west nile virus, malaria)

Human HealthCardiovascular disease: poor air qualityOzone, increased allergens, fine partuculates