Global Warming

On a clean sheet of paper, write down 5 questions you have about global warming

Climate Change vs. Global Warming

Climate Change Any significant change in the earth’s climate over an extended period of time

Climate Change Natural Factors Changes in sun’s intensity Changes in earth’s orbit

Climate Change Natural Processes Changes within the climate system Ocean circulation patterns Air circulation patterns

Climate Change Human Activities Fossil Fuels Deforestation Urbanization Desertification

Global Warming The increase in the earth’s temperature due to an increase in greenhouse gases

Why is the inside of your car hot when it sits in the sun?

Greenhouse Effect The warming effect of the atmosphere caused by the trapping of heat from the earth by gasses in the atmosphere Not a bad thing! Earth could not support life without it!

Greenhouse Gases Gases that trap heat and prevent it from being radiated out into space

Greenhouse Gases H2O CO2 Most important CFC CH4 NOx Chlorofluorocarbons: foams, aerosols, refrigerants Wetlands, rice paddies, fossil fuels, livestock Fossil Fuels, fertilizers, industry

Fact The earth’s temperature has increased 1.2-1.4oF in the past century

Fact 11 of the 12 warmest years on record have occurred since 1995

Fact Arctic sea ice is rapidly melting.

Fact Glaciers are disappearing

When did Global Warming Begin? Pleistocene Age – 18,000 years ago Earth thaws and freezes every 100,000 years Interglacial period Industrial Revolution

Major Contributors to Global Warming Power Plants: 40% of CO2 emissions Cars: 20% of CO2 emissions Airplanes: 3.5% of CO2 emissions Buildings: 12% of CO2 emissions

Major Contributors to Global Warming 1 gallon of gas = 19.6 lbs CO2 Dodge Durango: 12mpg@500mi.=800lbs CO2 Honda Insight: 61mpg@500mi.=161lbs CO2

Major Contributors to Global Warming Levels are increasing 1958 – 314ppm 1994 – 358ppm 2005 – 379ppm

Major Contributors to Global Warming CH4 20 times more effective as CO2 at trapping heat CH4 only lasts in atmosphere for 10 years CO2 lasts 100 years Permafrost Self perpetuating cycle

What do we know for sure? Human activity is increasing GHG concentrations in atmosphere Increases in GHG warm the planet The average global temperature has increased by 1oF over the last century

What do we not know for sure? Extent of human influence on increase in GHG and temperature How much temperatures will rise in the future

What do we not know? Impacts on: Agriculture Water Resources Forests Wildlife Coastal Areas Links b/t global warming and tropical storms/El Nino

Scientists are more certain of global impacts than local impacts

What are the consequences of global warming?

Weather More severe storms Increased drought More intense rain events Rising sea levels Melting polar and glacial ice Increasing ocean temperatures

Human Health Heat waves Asthma and respiratory illnesses Infectious diseases Agriculture

Wildlife 20-30% of all species could face increased risk of extinction Timing of seasonal migrations and cycles Shifts in ecosystems Disruption of food webs Polar Bears

What’s happening today? The Debate What’s happening today?

Al Gore rebuts Palin's climate change claims Climate: 2009 Caps Hottest Decade on Record Climate Deal Likely to Bear Big Price Tag EPA: Greenhouse gases are harmful to humans Climate Skeptics Hold a Conference China, U.S. trade barbs at climate talks Climate Talks Open With Calls for Urgent Action Global Warming Email Disclosure Reveals Strategic Thinking

Environmental Protection Agency New report released Dec. 7, 2009 Greenhouse Gases Threaten Public Health and the Environment Science overwhelmingly shows greenhouse gas concentrations at unprecedented levels due to human activity

Environmental Protection Agency Increased heat waves Sick, poor and elderly Ground level ozone People with asthma & respiratory illnesses

Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Supreme Court 2007 GHG fit the definition of pollutants Can be regulated under Clean Air Act

Environmental Protection Agency What does this mean? Higher standards for fuel economy More $$ for alternative fuel research

Copenhagen Dec. 8-18 192 Nations 15th Meeting UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

UNFCCC United Nations Began at 1992 Rio Earth Summit Ratified by 192 countries Global agenda for climate change Kyoto Protocol

Kyoto Protocol Written in 1997 “Put into force” in 2005 Goal: Reduce GHG emissions to 5% above 1990 levels by 2012

Kyoto Protocol “Developing” countries exempt Carbon trading Heavy producers can buy credits from light producers Credits for sustainable carbon offsets

Kyoto Protocol Member countries commit to reducing GHG Only one industrialized nation not a member United States Bush administration opposed Bad for economy Exemption of developing countries

Copenhagen Goals What will happen after Kyoto expires?

Copenhagen Goals Forging a shared vision Long term cooperation Global goal for emission reductions

Copenhagen Goals Actions for all nations to curb emissions Developed and developing Measurable Reportable Verifiable

Copenhagen Goals Financial help for poor countries

Copenhagen Goals Development and sharing of clean energy technology

Copenhagen Goals Curbing deforestation in developing countries Promoting sustainable forest management and conservation in developed countries

What do the skeptics say? There is no conclusive evidence that climate change is happening The changes in measured temperatures are part of the natural cycle

What do the skeptics say? Even if the changes are human induced, the scale is not enough to do us any harm The economic impact of making substantial cuts in greenhouse gas emissions on the scale suggested by the IPCC or other groups is too large

“Climategate” Thousands of stolen emails Climate Research Unit 13 years Criticize, make fun of skeptics Question data No proof