Creation Cries Out: Is Anyone Listening? Dr. Bill Blair, astronomer, Johns Hopkins University Dept. of Physics & Astronomy Mt. Pine Beetle damage, Montana (NYT, 11/17/08)

Take Home Points God’s Creation is awesome, but fragile. God’s Creation is awesome, but fragile. Global Warming is real, and is driving significant climate changes on our planet. The human impact is undeniable and significant. The human impact is undeniable and significant. There is an urgent need to change our behaviors. There is an urgent need to change our behaviors. As Christians, there are significant stewardship and social justice concerns that should motivate us to Care for Creation. As Christians, there are significant stewardship and social justice concerns that should motivate us to Care for Creation.

The Greenhouse Effect Sunlight comes through glass.Sunlight comes through glass. Light is absorbed and re-radiated as heat (infrared light).Light is absorbed and re-radiated as heat (infrared light). Heat is trapped (warms interior of greenhouse).Heat is trapped (warms interior of greenhouse). Need for “balance” to keep it from getting too hot/cold.Need for “balance” to keep it from getting too hot/cold. Sunlight comes through glass.Sunlight comes through glass. Light is absorbed and re-radiated as heat (infrared light).Light is absorbed and re-radiated as heat (infrared light). Heat is trapped (warms interior of greenhouse).Heat is trapped (warms interior of greenhouse). Need for “balance” to keep it from getting too hot/cold.Need for “balance” to keep it from getting too hot/cold.

BALANCE

The Earth is so big! How can we affect things?

By affecting the BALANCE

Apollo 11, July 1969

Venus - Our Twin Planet?* Closest planet to earth. Nearly the same size as earth, but CO 2 atmosphere 100x denser than earth’s. Surface temp 900 degrees F. Example of “Runaway” Greenhouse effect. Closest planet to earth. Nearly the same size as earth, but CO 2 atmosphere 100x denser than earth’s. Surface temp 900 degrees F. Example of “Runaway” Greenhouse effect.

Venus - Our Twin Planet?* Closest planet to earth. Nearly the same size as earth, but CO 2 atmosphere 100x denser than earth’s. Surface temp 900 degrees F. Example of “Runaway” Greenhouse effect. Closest planet to earth. Nearly the same size as earth, but CO 2 atmosphere 100x denser than earth’s. Surface temp 900 degrees F. Example of “Runaway” Greenhouse effect. *(Let’s hope not!) BALANCE

Greenhouse Gases Water Vapor H 2 O Methane CH 4 Methane CH 4 Carbon Dioxide CO 2 Carbon Dioxide CO 2 A trace constituent, but very effective at trapping heat.  A trace constituent, but very effective at trapping heat.

Fact: Atmospheric CO 2 levels are increasing.

Direct Evidence

Evidence of Warming Larsen B Ice Shelf, Antarctica, 2006 Glacier National Park, Montana North Polar Ice 2007

Climate Impacts Warmer sea temperatures… cause stronger storms and affect atmospheric and sea circulation patterns.cause stronger storms and affect atmospheric and sea circulation patterns. Can cause droughts in some areas and excessive rainfall in others.Can cause droughts in some areas and excessive rainfall in others. Add to the rise in sea level.Add to the rise in sea level. –Warm water has a larger volume. Warmer sea temperatures… cause stronger storms and affect atmospheric and sea circulation patterns.cause stronger storms and affect atmospheric and sea circulation patterns. Can cause droughts in some areas and excessive rainfall in others.Can cause droughts in some areas and excessive rainfall in others. Add to the rise in sea level.Add to the rise in sea level. –Warm water has a larger volume. Katrina 2005

Past Climate: How do we know? Ice core samples: Greenland, Antarctica, etc.Ice core samples: Greenland, Antarctica, etc. Ice traps gas bubbles, dust particles, biological material, and other materials.Ice traps gas bubbles, dust particles, biological material, and other materials. Chemical isotope ratios are proxies for Temp, CO 2 levels, etc., at various times in the past.Chemical isotope ratios are proxies for Temp, CO 2 levels, etc., at various times in the past. Ice core samples: Greenland, Antarctica, etc.Ice core samples: Greenland, Antarctica, etc. Ice traps gas bubbles, dust particles, biological material, and other materials.Ice traps gas bubbles, dust particles, biological material, and other materials. Chemical isotope ratios are proxies for Temp, CO 2 levels, etc., at various times in the past.Chemical isotope ratios are proxies for Temp, CO 2 levels, etc., at various times in the past. Layers in ice core are similar to “tree rings” - showing annual cycles.

Past Climate - Natural Variations

Are we responsible? You decide.

What can we do to motivate ourselves? Consider Global Warming as a social justice issue.Consider Global Warming as a social justice issue. Consider Global Warming as a stewardship issue.Consider Global Warming as a stewardship issue. Consider Global Warming as a survival issue.Consider Global Warming as a survival issue. Money (e.g. green capitalism!) Economic drivers such as green building, green jobs, green energy, entrepreneurship, etc. Consider Global Warming as a social justice issue.Consider Global Warming as a social justice issue. Consider Global Warming as a stewardship issue.Consider Global Warming as a stewardship issue. Consider Global Warming as a survival issue.Consider Global Warming as a survival issue. Money (e.g. green capitalism!) Economic drivers such as green building, green jobs, green energy, entrepreneurship, etc.

Energy Needs vs. Sustainability

Global Sustainability U.S. per capita energy consumption (hence, CO 2 production) is 32x that of the developing world.U.S. per capita energy consumption (hence, CO 2 production) is 32x that of the developing world. –The U.S. consumes energy at a rate comparable to 10 BILLION people in the developing world! If the developing world rises to our level of consumption, the energy needs are immense.If the developing world rises to our level of consumption, the energy needs are immense. –If they do it with fossil fuels, we are toast! Our level of energy consumption is not sustainable and is not just by the world’s standards.Our level of energy consumption is not sustainable and is not just by the world’s standards. U.S. per capita energy consumption (hence, CO 2 production) is 32x that of the developing world.U.S. per capita energy consumption (hence, CO 2 production) is 32x that of the developing world. –The U.S. consumes energy at a rate comparable to 10 BILLION people in the developing world! If the developing world rises to our level of consumption, the energy needs are immense.If the developing world rises to our level of consumption, the energy needs are immense. –If they do it with fossil fuels, we are toast! Our level of energy consumption is not sustainable and is not just by the world’s standards.Our level of energy consumption is not sustainable and is not just by the world’s standards. >> We must reduce our consumption and help the rest of the world cope with their needs.

Let us take care of the Earth. It is the only one we have!