A gradual increase in average global temperature. Influenced by human activities. Global Warming

Evidence: 1) The rate of temp increase has changed to 2005 increase by.8°C (1.3°F) 1800 to 1900 increased by.4°C

CO 2 Production Worldwide USAEurope SE Asia

Reasons for an increase in CO 2

Ice-Core Data from Vostok, Antarctica

2) Increase in CO2 (and other global warming gases) 1958 – 315 ppm (parts per million) 2007 – 383 ppm

Measuring Oceanic Carbon Deep and shallow water research

CO2 Atlantic Ocean Time Series and Moorings Sites ( Moorings/Atlantic.html) Moorings/Atlantic.html

Global Ocean Monitoring Stations

Consequences of a Warmer Earth Possibilities for serious environmental problems Melting ice and rising sea levels Changing weather patterns Human health problems Agriculture Plants and animals

Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels As global temperatures increase, the polar and alpine ice caps will continue to melt, adding water to the oceans. wwfblogs.org

Changing Weather Patterns Heating the atmosphere will heat the oceans further, and change their circulation patterns May increase number of storms including hurricanes Some areas will see extreme rains, while others will experience extreme droughts hurricanes/ cnn.com

Human Health Problems Heat-related deaths (an extreme threat to the very young and very old) Western US Heat Wave More allergens More mosquito-borne illnesses including malaria, encephalitis, and West Nile Virus On Long Island, more ticks mean more illness including Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Ehrlichiosis komonews.com

Mosquito Netting - jeffhashimoto.blogspot.com Lone Star Tick -

Agriculture If droughts continue and become more prevalent, agriculture will suffer the most due to: Overuse of aquifers for irrigation Diseased plants Decreased crop yields thedailybeast.com

Plants and Animals Alter the range of plant & animal species Loss of diversity Loss of food sources Increase in invasive species noaanews.noaa.gov

The Future of Long Island Rising sea levels leads to coastal flooding From melting sea ice and thermal expansion of the oceans Nearly 220,000 residents live in potential flood zones (15% of the population) Suffolk County Interactive Flood Map

What can we do? Sunday’s People’s Climate March through the streets of New York City was a risk, writes GREG MARINOVICH.