The Role of Human Beings Causes of Climate Change It is very likely that most of the climate change in the current era is the result of human activities. –Human activities have increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. –These gases trap heat and cause the Earth to warm. Figure adapted from Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Working Group 1 Contribution to the 4th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Figure SPM.5. Cambridge University Press. National Academy of Sciences National Academy of Engineering Institute of Medicine National Research Council

The Role of Human Beings Rate of Climate Change Climate change in the current era is expected to be extremely rapid compared to transitions in and out of past ice ages. Ecosystems are more vulnerable to changes that happen rapidly. A scientist holding an ice core—a sample taken from polar ice caps or mountain glaciers. Ice cores reveal clues about climate changes in Earth’s past. Image courtesy USGS National Ice Core Laboratory. National Academy of Sciences National Academy of Engineering Institute of Medicine National Research Council

The Role of Human Beings Compounding Factors Human activities have many other effects on ecosystems. These effects compound the effects of climate change, making it more difficult for ecosystems to adapt. –Pollution –Habitat fragmentation –Invasive species – Overfishing – Manipulation of water sources – …and much more National Academy of Sciences National Academy of Engineering Institute of Medicine National Research Council

The Role of Human Beings Improving the Outlook Changes in activities at the personal, community, and national levels can affect the rate of future climate change and species’ abilities to adapt. Some of the areas where changes in human activities could help species adapt include: –Approaches to agriculture –Water management practices –Energy sources and use –Transportation –Pollution remediation –Biological conservation –…and much more National Academy of Sciences National Academy of Engineering Institute of Medicine National Research Council

The climate challenge is large and complex. But it is very likely that many people, working from many angles, can help address climate change and its ecological consequences. National Academy of Sciences National Academy of Engineering Institute of Medicine National Research Council

Acknowledgments This presentation was developed by the National Academy of Sciences based on its report, Ecological Impacts of Climate Change (2009). The report, its companion booklet, and this presentation were produced with support from the United States Geological Survey. Ecological Impacts of Climate Change was authored by the following National Research Council committee: National Research Council Staff ANN REID, Study Director FRANCES E. SHARPLES, Director, Board on Life Sciences ANNE FRANCES JOHNSON, Communications Officer AMANDA CLINE, Senior Program Assistant CHRISTOPHER B. FIELD, Chair, Carnegie Institution for Science DONALD F. BOESCH, U. of Maryland Center for Environmental Science F. STUART (TERRY) CHAPIN III, University of Alaska PETER H. GLEICK, Pacific Institute ANTHONY C. JANETOS, University of Maryland JANE LUBCHENCO, Oregon State University JONATHAN T. OVERPECK, University of Arizona CAMILLE PARMESAN, University of Texas TERRY L. ROOT, Stanford University STEVEN W. RUNNING, University of Montana STEPHEN H. SCHNEIDER, Stanford University Unless otherwise noted, all images in this presentation are © JupiterImages, These images were purchased for use in this presentation and may not be reproduced without permission from the owner. For more information, visit National Academy of Sciences National Academy of Engineering Institute of Medicine National Research Council