Caused by Global Warming Hurricanes Heat Waves Droughts By Nathan Kwan and Samantha Shieh

Heat Waves Average temp. has risen 1.33°F in past century Average temp. has risen 1.33°F in past century Computer models show increases of 3.24°F to 7.2°F by year 2100 Computer models show increases of 3.24°F to 7.2°F by year 2100 ~At this rate New York will exceed 90°F as frequently as Houston does! Increases in heat wave frequency, intensity and duration will cause more heat related deaths, especially among elderly and urban poor Increases in heat wave frequency, intensity and duration will cause more heat related deaths, especially among elderly and urban poor

Europe Summer of 2003 Warmest summer over past 500 years Warmest summer over past 500 years 104 °F in France for a week 104 °F in France for a week 30,000 cases of heat prostration 30,000 cases of heat prostration Expected to be classified as extremely cool season by end of 21 st century Expected to be classified as extremely cool season by end of 21 st century

Tropical Storms 2-4% increase in heavy precipitation events across Northern Hemisphere during 20 th century 2-4% increase in heavy precipitation events across Northern Hemisphere during 20 th century Increase in tropical storm intensity because of warmer surface ocean temperatures Increase in tropical storm intensity because of warmer surface ocean temperatures 1.4°F to 4.3°F increase in surface ocean temp over last 50 yrs 1.4°F to 4.3°F increase in surface ocean temp over last 50 yrs Expected to increase 1.8°F to 4.5°F over next 100 yrs Expected to increase 1.8°F to 4.5°F over next 100 yrs Tropical storm wind speeds increase 5% for every 1.8°F Tropical storm wind speeds increase 5% for every 1.8°F

2005 Atlantic Basin 27 named storms (winds exceeding 39 mph) 27 named storms (winds exceeding 39 mph) 15 became hurricanes (74 mph) 15 became hurricanes (74 mph) 4 category 5 hurricanes (155 mph) 4 category 5 hurricanes (155 mph) 2,500 fatalities, $100 billion in damage across US, Caribbean and Central America 2,500 fatalities, $100 billion in damage across US, Caribbean and Central America Hurricane Wilma (175 mph) Hurricane Wilma (175 mph) -most powerful hurricane ever recorded in Atlantic

Hurricane Katrina Category 5 hurricane, Category 3 as it hit land Category 5 hurricane, Category 3 as it hit land 2/3 flooding due to levees breached 2/3 flooding due to levees breached 80% New Orleans under water 80% New Orleans under water 1,836 people died, 705 missing 1,836 people died, 705 missing

The Future of Storms Hurricane modeling has found that hurricanes, simulated under warmer, high CO2 conditions, are more intense than under present-day conditions. Hurricane modeling has found that hurricanes, simulated under warmer, high CO2 conditions, are more intense than under present-day conditions. As a result, scientific models show stronger and more devastating storms in coming century levels of CO2 and temperature increase. As a result, scientific models show stronger and more devastating storms in coming century levels of CO2 and temperature increase.

Droughts Brought about from prolonged periods of less than average precipitation Brought about from prolonged periods of less than average precipitation Increased evaporation rates because of warmer temperatures will create longer droughts Increased evaporation rates because of warmer temperatures will create longer droughts Increased frequency and intensity of large wildfires in recent yrs in Pacific Northwest, California, Alaska, Colorado, Arizona, Texas and Oklahoma Increased frequency and intensity of large wildfires in recent yrs in Pacific Northwest, California, Alaska, Colorado, Arizona, Texas and Oklahoma

2005 Drought in Amazon 2005 Drought in Amazon Worst drought to hit the Amazon in 100 years Worst drought to hit the Amazon in 100 years National Space Research Institute now link global warming as the cause not El Nino as previously thought National Space Research Institute now link global warming as the cause not El Nino as previously thought High temps in Atlantic triggered high pressure systems above water High temps in Atlantic triggered high pressure systems above water Low pressure changes winds and results in less rainfall Low pressure changes winds and results in less rainfall

Counterarguments Counterarguments Need longer historical history before global warming can be blamed Need longer historical history before global warming can be blamed Many believe recent weather conditions caused by natural weather cycles Many believe recent weather conditions caused by natural weather cycles

Works Cited Works Cited (2008, March 10). Amazon’s Worst Ever Drought Caused by Global Warming. Xinhua. Retrieved on May 19, 2008 from DiMento, J. & Doughman, P. (2007). Climate Change (1st ed). Cambridge: The MIT Press. Hurricane Katrina. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved on May 19, 2008 from hurricanes/katrina/index.html