Source: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change The Science of Climate American Chemical Society 1 The Science of Climate

The Science of Climate American Chemical Society 2 Is there evidence that Earth’s climate is changing? What controls the Earth’s climate? How are Earth’s climate controls changing? What is responsible for these changes? What is the future for Earth’s climate?

The Science of Climate American Chemical Society 3 Evidence that Earth’s climate is changing Winters are getting milder Source: Environmental Protection Agency Source: Wisconsin State Climatology Office

The Science of Climate American Chemical Society 4 Evidence that Earth’s climate is changing Land and sea ice are disappearing Grinnell Glacier, Glacier Nat'l Park, 1940 Grinnell Glacier, Glacier Nat'l Park, 2006 Source: NOAA

The Science of Climate American Chemical Society 5 Evidence that Earth’s climate is changing Are extreme weather events—droughts, wildfires, storms, floods— increasing? Source: NASA Source: NOAASource: ThinkStock Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The Science of Climate American Chemical Society 6 Earth’s climate controls Energy balance: solar energy in = Earth radiant energy out Source: American Chemical Society

The Science of Climate American Chemical Society 7 Earth’s climate controls Energy balance: effect of atmospheric gases Source: IPCC

The Science of Climate American Chemical Society 8 Earth’s climate controls have changed Atmospheric carbon dioxide—past and present Source: Robert A. Rohde, Wikimedia Commons

The Science of Climate American Chemical Society 9 Earth’s climate controls have changed Effect on energy and temperature Source: Skeptical Science

The Science of Climate American Chemical Society 10 Cause of Earth’s climate changes Mainly fossil fuel burning Source: IPCC Source: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

Source: Colorado University Sea Level Research Group The Science of Climate American Chemical Society 11 Earth’s climate future More of what we already observe Source: Seathos

The Science of Climate American Chemical Society 12 Earth’s climate future is in your hands Source: IPCC

The Science of Climate American Chemical Society 13 Earth’s climate future and you Use the ACS Climate Science Toolkit, towww.acs.org/climatescience review or learn the basic concepts of climate science. Expand your knowledge of climate science areas of special interest with print and media resources. Engage your friends and colleagues in deliberative discussion on the science of global climate change. Take advantage of opportunities to present the science of global climate change for civic, religious, educational, and governmental groups. Take a public stand on the issues related to the undesired consequences of climate change and the need for mitigation and adaptation. Encourage and support your local and national governmental representatives to do the same.