Indicators & Effects of Climate Change Image from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming 7.3

Global Warming NASA and NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) scientists ranked 2014 as Earth’s warmest year since 1880. Image from: http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/detect/global-temps.shtml

Indicators Sea ice cover was at its lowest in February 2015. Watch this NASA video. This graph is from NOAA. March is the month of maximum ice extent, September is the minimum. Graph from: http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/report13/sea_ice.html

Impacts of Melting Ice… Reduced habitat for polar bears, walrus, seals, etc. Livelihood of communities living in Arctic is affected (e.g., Inuit) Rising sea levels Image from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/earthpicturegalleries/4980120/Polar-bears-will-not-survive-without-action-to-tackle-climate-change.html?image=5

More CO2… A year in the life of CO2, another interesting video from NASA showing CO2 emissions over the year. Causes acidification of oceans (carbonic acid), which affects fish populations, formation of corals, etc. Image of coral damaged by acid: http://www.teachoceanscience.net/teaching_resources/education_modules/coral_reefs_and_climate_change/how_does_climate_change_affect_coral_reefs/

Disease Range of disease-causing animals is increased due to global warming. Outbreaks of many infections increase during warmer weather. Anopheles mosquito from: http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/biology/mosquitoes/

Extreme Weather Changes in temperature lead to changes in wind & precipitation. From desertification & droughts to intense tropical storms like Katrina. U.S. Air Force photo of Katrina: http://www.attn.com/stories/2886/10-things-about-hurricane-katrina

Biotic Effects Plants and animals that are adapted to particular biomes may no longer be able to survive there. Dry conditions may cause deforestation due to forest fires. Image from: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/how-species-will-or-won’t-manage-warming-world Ratio of gray and reddish-brown tawny owls has changed as temperatures have gotten warmer in Czech Republic

Video PBS Global Warming The Signs & the Science https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVQnPytgwQ0