The Impact of Global Warming on Texas Vanessa Addai and Felicia Donley University of Texas at Austin Department of Chemical Engineering ChE 379 November 21,2006

Introduction Greenhouse Effect Global Warming Texas’ mark on the world

Emission of Greenhouse Gases Types CO 2 Methane NOx Fluorinated Gases Sources Fossil fuel combustion Other sources Statistics 2003: MMT CO 2 released in Texas CO 2 concentration increase of 35 % since Industrial Revolution NOx increase of 15%

Local climatic changes Diverse Natural variability CO 2 production in Texas Statistics Texas is #1 emitter of CO 2 in the U.S. Alone, #7 worldwide No state wide plan No official inventory Current Climatic Changes in Texas

Future Climatic Changes in Texas Temperature increase Warmer ocean water Increased hurricane activity and strength Droughts Regional Flooding

Future Climatic Changes in Texas cont. Sea-level rising Impact on Texas coastal regions

What Does This Mean for Texas? Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem Shifting habitat Fresh water turnover Shell fish Fin fish Agriculture Currently: $14 billion industry Consumes 58% of the state’s water Increase in Yield: Cotton and Hay Decrease in Yield: Wheat, Rice, Potatoes

What Does This Mean for Texas? Cont. Human health risk

What Does This Mean for Texas? Cont. Economic impact Decreased reliance greenhouse gas forming industry Service and High-Tech Utility industry increase Capacity and output increase Rising sea-level Property loss and damage Loss of commercial fishing and recreation Potential loss of jobs

Conclusions Global warming is real threat to Texas Reduction of CO 2 emissions to decrease the impact on: Sea-level rising Human health Ecological health Climate “As the nation’s leading carbon emitter, Texas has a moral responsibility to its citizens and its neighbors to show leadership by reducing our carbon footprint and doing what we can to slow the consequences of global warming.” – Environmental Defense Fund