Notes: The Global Warming Issue Notes: The Global Warming Issue If you were gone, get a copy of the handout and then view the presentation. Take notes on the handout as you do this.If you were gone, get a copy of the handout and then view the presentation. Take notes on the handout as you do this.

Notes on Handout: Global Warming Compared to Ozone Issue

Global Warming is often referred to as...

1. Is the world getting warmer? 1. Is the world getting warmer? Overwhelming majority of scientists think it is. Overwhelming majority of scientists think it is. Evidence? Evidence? Increasing: temperatures, humidity, sea level Increasing: temperatures, humidity, sea level Decreasing: sea ice, glaciers, snow cover Decreasing: sea ice, glaciers, snow cover

Arctic Ice Cover Summer 1973 Arctic Ice

Arctic Ice Cover Summer 2003 Arctic Ice Is Melting

2. Why is the world getting warmer? 2. Why is the world getting warmer? Skeptics: Skeptics: think it is a natural climate change. think it is a natural climate change. Proponents: Proponents: think it is caused by human activity. (Greenhouse Theory) think it is caused by human activity. (Greenhouse Theory)

A. Greenhouse Theory (controversial) Burning of fossil fuels More CO 2 into air (10-min of DVD) Increases Earth’s greenhouse Effect (cat in car) Worldgetswarmer CO 2

Mercury: over 700 F to less than -300 F Mercury: over 700 F to less than -300 F Venus: average temp. is 900 F Venus: average temp. is 900 F Why is Venus hotter than Mercury? Why is Venus hotter than Mercury? Earth: average temp. is 59 F Earth: average temp. is 59 F Mars: average temp. is -67 Mars: average temp. is -67

B. Greenhouse Gases: Water vapor and clouds Water vapor and clouds #1 Greenhouse gas #1 Greenhouse gas Methane Methane Swamps, permafrost, termites, cows, coal mines, landfills, rice fields Swamps, permafrost, termites, cows, coal mines, landfills, rice fields Carbon dioxide ( CO 2 ) Carbon dioxide ( CO 2 ) Burning of fossil fuels Burning of fossil fuels Cement production Cement production Deforestation Deforestation

C. Fossil Fuels Coal Coal Burned to generate electricity Burned to generate electricity Natural Gas Natural Gas Burned to heat homes and water Burned to heat homes and water Oil (petroleum) Oil (petroleum) Fuel for trains, planes, autos., etc. Fuel for trains, planes, autos., etc.

CO 2 levels were in balance for hundreds of years prior to our Industrial Revolution Year

With the burning of fossil fuels, CO 2 emissions grew larger than removal.

American Chinese

(Biomass)

Near Colstrip

3. What will be the consequences of climate change (controversial) Rising sea level Rising sea level Ocean acidification Ocean acidification

3. What will be the consequences of climate change (controversial) Rising sea level Rising sea level Ocean acidification Ocean acidification Desertification Desertification More frequent and more severe storms More frequent and more severe storms Changes in water resources Changes in water resources Extinctions Extinctions More disease and infestations More disease and infestations

4. What should we do about it? It’s very complicated! A. Cap carbon? Carbon tax? A. Cap carbon? Carbon tax? Limit the amount of CO 2 a nation or business can emit Limit the amount of CO 2 a nation or business can emit The problem with this? The problem with this? Economic impact Economic impact

B. Carbon Capture and Sequestration Collecting CO 2 emissions and storing them underground Collecting CO 2 emissions and storing them underground

C. Reduce your carbon footprint estimate of how much carbon your activities/lifestyle puts into the air estimate of how much carbon your activities/lifestyle puts into the air