2. MORE INFORMATION ON GLOBAL EFFECTS

3. Source: The Woods Hole Research Center

5. Graph: The Woods Hole Research Center

7. Source: The Woods Hole Research Center

9. Part 2 Predicted Effects

10. From EPA

11. Source: EPA

12. What about precipitation? If Earth continues to warm, the effect on precipitation patterns in any one location is uncertain. Worldwide precipitation will probably increase, but so will evaporation. Most agree rainfall will occur in a small number of heavier storms, followed by longer dry periods. Source: EPA

13. From EPA

14. What about El Niño?

15. El Niño – “Warm Phase”La Niña – “Cold Phase” El Niño and La Niña are natural changes in sea-surface temperature in the Eastern Pacific. The Climate Prediction Center cannot say if there is a link between global warming and El Niño patterns. Numerous other sources argue there is a correlation between global warming and the more frequent and intense El Niños as of late. Further debate will most certainly continue.

16. EFFECTS ON COASTAL AREAS

17. Source: EPA

18. Sea level rise is one of the greatest threats from global warming. In New York City, sea levels have already risen 0.25 m since 1920. Source: NASA While large cities such as New York are protected and would not be adversely affected, many other areas could be hard hit. Source: FEMA Source: Earth Observatory, NASA Effects on U.S. Coastal Areas: Rising water levels

19. Most cities have shown an increase in sea levels since 1900. One exception is Sitka, Alaska. Here glaciers continue to melt after the last ice age. Since the weight of the ice is not what it used to be, the land is actually rising. Therefore, sea levels are dropping relative to the increasing elevation of the land. (Source: EPA)

21. Effects on U.S. Coastal Areas: Results of FEMA Study, 2000 Approximately 25 percent of homes and other structures within 500 feet of the U.S. coastline and the shorelines of the Great Lakes will fall victim to the effects of erosion within the next 60 years. Costs to U.S. homeowners will average more than a half billion dollars per year, and additional development in high erosion areas will lead to higher losses, according to the report. Picture: Greenpeace

22. Effects on U.S. Coastal Areas: Beach Erosion South Bethany, Delaware Shore Today Shore in 30 Years Shore in 60 Years 3 rows of houses are expected to be lost over the next 60 years Source: FEMA

23. EFFECT ON COASTAL WETLANDS

25. EFFECTS ON FISHING

28. EFFECT ON INLAND WATERS

29. EFFECT ON WETLANDS

30. Global Warming and Wetlands Reduction in biological productivity Lower water tables in those areas that become drier Increased leaching greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere Source: EPA/NASA Methane Sources

31. EFFECTS ON AGRICULTURE

32. EXPECTED EFFECTS ON IOWA

33. EFFECT ON DESERT AREAS

34. Will deserts expand? Some studies, such as one done by NASA recently, show that they might. In dry areas, as global temperatures increases, evaporation rates become greater than precipitation rates. Other studies are inconclusive, suggesting desert shrublands could increase by as much as 185% or decrease by as much as 56%. Source: EPA

36. EFFECT ON GRASSLANDS

37. Impact on Grasslands The decline in water availability would probably effect grasslands the most In areas that become dry, some grasslands could turn to desert In areas that are currently forested, grasslands may become more common. Source: EPA Prairie ecosystems could be hit especially hard. Source: Jay Malcolm, University of Toronto

38. EFFECT ON FORESTS

40. Changes In Forest Cover Source: VEMAP PARTICIPANTS (1995)

41. EFFECTS ON NAVIGATION Docks in sea ports Locks in rivers

42. EFFECT ON NATIONAL PARKS

43. Case Study: Glacier National Park Montana Glaciers keep a good historical record of climate change by how much they advance or retreat over a period of time Glacier National Park has seen a reduction in glacier coverage of 73% between 1850 and 1993 If the planet continues to warm at the current rate, all glaciers in the park will be gone by 2030. If there is no additional warming (unlikely), glaciers will still disappear by 2100. Source: USGS

44. Grinnell Glacier, Glacier National Park, Montana Source: USGS

45. Grinnell Glacier, Glacier National Park, Montana Source: USGS

46. EFFECTS ON BIRD LIFE

48. EFFECTS ON HEALTH