Indicators and Effects of Climate Change Section 7.3 Indicators and Effects of Climate Change

Global Warming Global Warming – the increase in the average temperature of the atmosphere and oceans that has been measured over the past 100 years. It is the largest single indicator of climate change This warming is an average for the entire planet, which means that some areas have experienced more warming while others have grown cooler.

1. Changes in Polar and Glacial Ice As global temperatures rise, polar icecaps are melting. This is affecting those living in the Arctic such as polar bears and the Inuit. Polar bears normally swim through the water to get to the ice where seals rest. But with the ice melting, the polar bears are having to swim for hundreds of miles before reaching their hunting ground, if they reach it at all. Many are dying of starvation and hunger.

2. Rising Sea Level & Ocean Acidity -due to melting glaciers/ice caps & thermal expansion of seawater to increase temperature (higher ocean temperatures expand the volume of water) -as sea levels rise, more land will be covered by water (in the past 100 years, sea levels have risen 10-15 cm)

2. Rising Sea Level & Ocean Acidity b. Ocean Acidity Oceans have absorbed half the CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels in the past 200 years. Carbonic acid forms making oceans acidic. Shellfish, fish, and plankton cannot reproduce. From 1751-2004, pH has dropped from 8.25 to 8.14

3. Climate & Health Warmer temperatures lead to spread of diseases carried by insects rodents, birds, & other animals which spread to humans. Waterborne diseases rise as rainfall & temperatures change. Respiratory disease are more prevalent due to smog, mould, & pollen.

4. Changing Wind & Precipitation Patterns a) Higher temperatures increase rate of evaporation leading to more precipitation. e.g. in the high Arctic, precipitation has increased by approx. 40% in the past 60 years.

4. Changing Wind & Precipitation Patterns b) Low precipitation lead to desertification (desert formation), drought (crop loss), increased forest fires Global drinking water shortage

4. Changing Wind & Precipitation Patterns c) Increased storm intensity & frequency (e.g. Hurricane Katrina, El Nino)

5. Changing Biomes Climate changes cause biome conditions to change habitats threatening the survival of various plants and animals globally. Species become at risk, with fears of extinction.