What is climate change? Climate change is the change in long-term weather patterns in certain regions. These changes can affect the entire Earth.

Is this Climate Change Unexpected?

What’s the difference between global warming and climate change? Global warming refers to a global increase in average temperature. Global warming refers to a global increase in average temperature.  Both the causes and effects of global warming are unknown and controversial.

Is it just “El Niño” ??? Kind of… The term “climate variability” refers to shorter term (years to decades) fluctuations in climate such as: The term “climate variability” refers to shorter term (years to decades) fluctuations in climate such as: El Niño—an abnormal warming of surface ocean waters (which occurs every 3 to 7 years) El Niño—an abnormal warming of surface ocean waters (which occurs every 3 to 7 years) La Niña -a strong cooling of the equatorial Pacific La Niña -a strong cooling of the equatorial Pacific

… so what’s the Big deal with El Niño and La Niña??? PROBLEM: More El Niño’s that are no longer disappearing completely, and less La Niña’s. PROBLEM: More El Niño’s that are no longer disappearing completely, and less La Niña’s. In other words, the Pacific doesn't seem to be reverting to "normal" (cooling down) any more. In other words, the Pacific doesn't seem to be reverting to "normal" (cooling down) any more.

Evidence of Climate Change #1

Evidence of Climate Change #2

The image shows sea ice coverage in 1980 (bottom) and 2012 (top), as observed by passive microwave sensors on NASA’s Nimbus-7 satellite and by the Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder (SSMIS) from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP). Opening of Northeast Passage! Economical and biological implications???

Evidence of Climate Change #3 The glaciers in the Himalayas are receding faster than in any other part of the world and, if the present rate continues, “a large number of them may disappear by 2035 because of climate change”… warn environmentalists and geologists.

Evidence of Climate Change #4 4. Snow cover has decreased globally. (the less snow to reflect sunlight, the more the Earth absorbs heat)

Evidence of Climate Change #5 5. Sea surface height has increased across the globe 4-8 inches in last 100 years. Global sea level has risen about 3 millimeters a year since precise measuremen t of sea surface height in 1993.

Evidence of Climate Change #6 6.There has been an increase in extreme weather events since 1975.

Evidence of Climate Change #7 7.Increase in cloud cover of 2% in the Northern Hemisphere since *This is evidence that there is more particulate debris(fossil fuels) in the atmosphere (clouds form around debris )

Natural Causes of Climate Change

Natural Cause # 1: The amount of energy radiating from the sun is not constant There is evidence of an 11-year solar cycle in the temperature record of the Earth. There is evidence of an 11-year solar cycle in the temperature record of the Earth.

Natural Cause # 2: Eccentricity: Earth’s Orbit changes from circular to Elliptical at different times

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Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, etc..) The Natural Greenhouse effect warms the surface and the troposphere (lowest layer of the atmosphere), and is vital to life as we know it.

Human Impact # 1: Enhanced Greenhouse Effects: Humans activities are adding a lot more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere – therefore trapping more heat, and raising the Global temp.

Greenhouse Gases: Disaster and Human History," published 2009 by McFarland Press (

Human Impact #2: Deforestation = lower Albedo = more heat absorbed As humans replace lighter reflective forests with dark asphalt or concrete, we get less albedo (more absorption of heat)

Humans are adding large quantities of fine particles (aerosols) to the atmosphere, both from agriculture and industrial activities.

So… what are the effects of global warming?

By recycling half of your household waste, you can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. By recycling half of your household waste, you can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.

 Setting your thermostat just 2 degrees lower in winter and higher in summer could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.

 Replacing just one 60-watt incandescent light bulb with a CFL will save you $30 over the life of the bulb.  CFLs also last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, use two-thirds less energy, and give off 70 percent less heat.  If every U.S. family replaced one regular light bulb with a CFL, it would eliminate 90 billion pounds of greenhouse gases, the same as taking 7.5 million cars off the road.

When you do drive, make sure your car is running efficiently. For example, keeping your tires properly inflated can improve your gas mileage by more than 3 percent. When you do drive, make sure your car is running efficiently. For example, keeping your tires properly inflated can improve your gas mileage by more than 3 percent.  Every gallon of gas you save not only helps your budget, it also keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

When it's time to buy a new car, choose one that offers good gas mileage. When it's time to buy a new car, choose one that offers good gas mileage. Home appliances now come in a range of energy-efficient models. Home appliances now come in a range of energy-efficient models.

Buy low-flow showerheads to save hot water and about 350 pounds of carbon dioxide yearly. Buy low-flow showerheads to save hot water and about 350 pounds of carbon dioxide yearly. Wash your clothes in warm or cold water to reduce your use of hot water and the energy required to produce it. That change alone can save at least 500 pounds of carbon dioxide annually in most households. Wash your clothes in warm or cold water to reduce your use of hot water and the energy required to produce it. That change alone can save at least 500 pounds of carbon dioxide annually in most households.

Save electricity and reduce global warming by turning off lights when you leave a room, and using only as much light as you need. Save electricity and reduce global warming by turning off lights when you leave a room, and using only as much light as you need. It's also a good idea to turn off the water when you're not using it. While brushing your teeth, shampooing the dog or washing your car, turn off the water until you actually need it for rinsing. It's also a good idea to turn off the water when you're not using it. While brushing your teeth, shampooing the dog or washing your car, turn off the water until you actually need it for rinsing.

If you have the means to plant a tree, start digging. If you have the means to plant a tree, start digging. During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime.

Share information about recycling and energy conservation with your friends, neighbors and co-workers, and take opportunities to encourage public officials to establish programs and policies that are good for the environment. Share information about recycling and energy conservation with your friends, neighbors and co-workers, and take opportunities to encourage public officials to establish programs and policies that are good for the environment.