1. Current Climate Change
Global Warming
Current Climate Change

2. Scientists believe that Earth’s climate is changing again but this time because of human activity

3. Rising Temperatures
Average temperatures go up and down over the years but the general trend is INCREASING
By 2006, 11 of the past 12 years were the warmest on record

5. In Canada, the average national temperatures have increased by 1oC in the last 55 yrs, they have risen 2.5oC in the Yukon

6. Melting Glaciers
Over the last few decades the average size of glaciers all over the world has begun to decrease as the temperature has increased
People around the world depend on glaciers for their water – melting glaciers could lead to water shortages

10. Ice Sheets
Ice sheets in Greenland are melting twice as fast as they did 15 yrs ago
Snow is melting much further inland and at higher altitudes than ever before
Sea Ice
Summer ice continues to decrease

14. Global sea levels have risen significantly over the past 130 yrs
Rising Sea Levels
Global sea levels have risen significantly over the past 130 yrs
Since 1993, sea levels has risen almost twice as fast than the 30 yrs before
Can result in flooding of coastal areas
Thermal Expansion: Warm water expands which also raises sea levels

16. Changes in Severe Weather
Certain extreme weather events such as heat waves and hurricanes have become more severe i.e. Hurricane Katrina (2005) & Hurricane Sandy (2012)

21. Changes in Precipitation
In the Northern hemisphere there is more precipitation as rain than as snow
There has been an increase in heavy precipitation
Other areas have received less precipitation than they used to and are experiencing periods of drought

22. Changing Seasons
Amount of snow that stays on the ground in winter is decreasing
Amount of very cold days throughout the world have decreased
Cold weather is starting later in the fall and ending earlier in the spring  longer growing seasons

24. Changes in Ecosystems
Trees, shrubs and flowers are flowering sooner due to temperature changes

25. Animals are breeding earlier

26. Animal and plants are slowly migrating towards the poles and to higher altitudes as their regions warm up  insects are also moving with them

27. Human Impact Humans are making MORE greenhouses gases!
CO2 – burning fossil fuels for transportation and factories; deforestation means less trees to absorb CO2

28. Methane – land fills – decomposing garbage, cows (for food)
Nitrous Oxide – using fertilizers, animal waste

29. What can be done? Reduce use of fossil fuels – carpool, walk, ride
Use hybrid or electric cars/buses
Improved fuel efficiency
Laws to reduce CO2
Eat less meat