Humans and Ecology: What are we doing, what should we do, what can we do, and does it matter?

Why are species going extinct? Fig 55.6 Why are species going extinct?

The complex molecules that comprise organisms are based on carbon

Fig 54.14 Carbon cycle

Solar energy: incoming and outgoing http://www.esr.org/outreach/climate_change/basics/basics.html

http://www.esr.org/outreach/climate_change/basics/basics.html

CO2 and other greenhouse gases keep heat from radiating back into space http://www.esr.org/outreach/climate_change/basics/basics.html

CO2 levels in Hawaii and average global temp. Fig 54.15

http://www.esr.org/outreach/climate_change/basics/basics.html

Gases trapped in ice core bubbles can tell us about past climate conditions.

http://www.esr.org/outreach/climate_change/basics/basics.html

http://www.esr.org/outreach/climate_change/basics/basics.html

Recent increases in global temperature have reversed a slight cooling trend

Vikings in Greenland in the 1200- 1400’s

As the climate cooled, the Vikings were forced to abandon their outposts

370

Relative contributions to Global Warming ~500 m people ~300 m people ~2.5 b people

Effects of global warming are already visible http://www.worldviewofglobalwarming.org/pages/glaciers.html

Observed and projected ice cap melting http://www.esr.org/outreach/climate_change/basics/basics.html

http://www.esr.org/outreach/climate_change/basics/basics.html

Global Change & Human Health (2001) V 2 # 1 pg 64

Precipitation changes 1900 to 2000

Humans and Ecology: What are we doing, what should we do, what can we do, and does it matter?