1. Global Warming & The Mediterranean Sea

2. Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta
The Mediterranean Sea
Derived from the Latin medium (middle) and
terra (earth) – sea in the middle of the earth
Is surrounded by 3 continents Africa, Europe & Asia
Is surrounded by 20 countries
Is connected to the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic
Ocean
Is warm & highly saline – leading to scarcity of sea
life as visible by its intense blue colour
May 2008
Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta

3. Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta
What is global warming?
May 2008
Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta

4. Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta
Burning of Fossil fuels
Most electric power stations still burn fossil fuels to generate electricity.
When fossil fuels are burnt many greenhouse gases are released in the atmosphere.
May 2008
Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta

5. Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta
The effect of CO2 in the atmosphere
All models show that doubling the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere will result in a rise of 2o to 4oK over the Mediterranean area.
May 2008
Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta

6. Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta
Greenhouse Effect
The Sun’s energy passes through the car’s glasspanes.
This heat energy is trapped inside the car and cannot pass back through the glass, causing the inside of the car to warm up.
May 2008
Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta

7. Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta
What are the effects of global warming on the Mediterranean Sea?
May 2008
Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta

8. Rise in the sea water levels
Global warming leads to melting of the arctic ice which leads to the rise of water level across the globe.  Since the Mediterranean Sea is connected to Atlantic Ocean its water level will rise.
Recent pictures of Venice
May 2008
Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta

9. Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta
Hurricanes
Global warming could trigger hurricanes
Hurricanes currently form in the tropical Atlantic ocean and rarely reach Europe
A rise in temperature could set off hurricanes to start in the Mediterranean in the future
This would lead to damage of the coastal settlements around the Mediterranean
May 2008
Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta

10. Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta
More about Hurricanes
Hurricanes form when the energy released by the condensation of moisture in rising air causes a positive feedback loop. The air heats up, rising further, which leads to more condensation. The air flowing out of the top of this chimney drops towards the ground, forming powerful winds
May 2008
Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta

11. Thermal expansion of the sea
Global warming heats up the seas. Sea water expands on heating
Thermal expansion has already raised the oceans 10 to 20 centimetres
This should be added to the possibility that Greenland’s massive ice sheets were to melt
May 2008
Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta

12. Observed Climate change in the Mediterranean sea
May 2008
Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta

13. Can WE do something about it?
Turn off the computer or the TV when I am not using it.
Take shorter showers. Heating water uses energy.
Keep the rooms cool by closing the blinds, shades or curtains.
Turn off the lights when I leave a room.
Dress lightly when it’s hot instead of turning up the air conditioning or use a fan.
Dress warmly when it’s cold instead of turning up the heater.
Offer to help my parents to keep the air filters of the air-conditioner clean.
Walk short distances instead of asking for a ride in the car.
May 2008
Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta

14. What are the projections for the Mediterranean region?
May 2008
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15. Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta
Higher temperatures
Rise in sea level; re-design of low-lying coastal areas
Plant species will be endangered
Species living in and around the sea will be endangered
New diseases in the Mediterranean region
May 2008
Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta

16. These sectors may be affected negatively
Agriculture
www2.warwick.ac.uk/
Biodiversity
Tourism
The Economy
Health
May 2008
Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta

17. What is happening in Cyprus?
Average temperature increased by 0.8oC in the last 30 year period
Precipitation dropped by 17% in the second half of the 20th century
Cyprus is importing drinking water from Greece
May 2008
Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta

18. What is happening in Malta?
There has been an increase of 3oC in the last 100 years
Precipitation dropped by 20%
This has lead of a drop in the water table reservoir
Soil is drier and contains more salinity
May 2008
Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta

19. A mind map about global warming
May 2008
Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta

20. This powerpoint presentation was prepared by Toyah Attard
Mariem Louati
Jasmine Vella Turner
Sarah Chetcuti
Students at the Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta,
The End
May 2008
Lily of the Valley GSS, Mosta