Climate Change Joanna Hernandez Ruby Roberts Alec Steckham Basia Benedik

What is Climate Change? Climate Change is the patterns of temperature, humidity, wind, and seasons.

Are Climate Change and Global Warming the Same? NO, they are not the same!! Global Warming causes the climate to change. Global Warming is the rise in global temperature. Climate change may refer to a small local area where Global Warming refers to the entire planet.

Are climate Change and Weather the same? Climate is the average temperature for a small region over a long period of time. Climate change is the data that is usually referred to when a specific region is under discussion. The idea weather. Weather may change from hour to hour or day to day. Weather may include wind, temperature, humidity, sunshine, and cloudiness. The actual weather.

What causes climate change? Burning fossil fuels. Industrial processes and mining. (produces methane) Landfills and sewer systems. Agricultural practices (fertilizer) Land use practices (deforestation) Burning fossil fuels, such as coal, and oil give off CO2. (over 50% of the earth’s warming) Using natural gas to generate electricity to heat our homes, power factories, and run cars. Mining produces methane which is causing 30% of the earth’s warming. Fertilizer releases Nitrus Oxide which causes 10% of the earth’s warming. Trees and other plants use Carbon Dioxide and give Oxygen. When trees are cut they no longer take CO2 out of the air and release CO2 as they decay or burn.

What are the effects of Climate Change? Accelerated sea level rise Intense heat waves Droughts Increase in ferocity of: Hurricanes Tropical storms Tornadoes Wild fires May also Cause: Decrease in lakes precipitation causing people to emigrate. Animal life cannot adapt to such a fast changing climate. Increase pH in oceans due to Carbon Dioxide absorption affects marine life at the bottom of the ocean, which affects land animals that need fish to survive. Disease (malaria, West Nile, river blindness) may shift to different areas.

How much warming will there be? The earth’s temperature has risen by 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit over the past century. The earth’s temperature is projected to rise another 2 to 11.5 degrees Fahrenheit over the next hundred years. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!

SOLUTIONS! Drive less Buy fuel efficient vehicles Use less electricity Renewable Energy Protect threatened forests ANY ACTION HELPS!

Sources http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/whatis.htm    http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/whatis.htm http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/climate/Climatecha nge.pdf http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/basics/ http://www.gcrio.org/gwcc/part1.html http://www.climate-change-guide.com/effects-of-climate- change.html http://www.ourclimate.net/ http://m.ucsusa.org/global_warming/solutions/big_picture_s olutions/common-sense-on-climate-5.html