1. Geog 1900: Extreme Weather and Climate

2. Overview I: Extreme weather and climate

3. Our planet earth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D5FwFSOJf8

4. The earth’s climate system Atmosphere Land Ocean Sea ice

5. Some basic concepts Atmosphere: A mixture of gas molecules, microscopically small particles of solid and liquid, and falling precipitation Meteorology: The study of the atmosphere and the processes that form weather Weather: The state of the atmosphere at a given time and place Climate: The statistical properties of the atmosphere. (i.e. averages and variability)

6. The mission of the atmospheric sciences is to understand and predict weather, climate, and related disasters

7. Fair weather

8. Monet: Waterlillies (the clouds) 1903

9. Sitting and watching clouds passing

10. Weather-related Disasters: Tropical Cyclones (Hurricanes, Typhoons, Cyclones)

11. Global distribution of the paths of major tropical cyclones during the last 150 years. On average, ~ 80 per year around the world. U.S. Fatalities: normal year 21, Katrina 1836 U.S. Property loss: normal year $5400 million, Katrina $84000 million

12. Weather-related Disasters: Tornadoes

13. Global Occurrence of Tornadoes

14. Weather-related Disasters: Tornadoes U.S. Annual mean fatalities 56, annual mean loss $777 million

15. Weather-related Disasters: Winter Storms

16. Weather-related Disasters: Winter Storms U.S. Annual mean fatalities 57, annual mean loss $329 million

17. Summary: Weather-related Disasters in US Hurricanes Blizzards Extreme cold Flooding Lightning Fire Tornadoes Hails

18. Summary: Weather-related Disasters in US

19. Climate-related Disasters over the world Example 1: El Nino

20. Disastrous effects of 1982-1983 El Nino: 1.Australia-Drought and devastating brush fires 2.Indonesia, Philippines-Crops fail, starvation follows 3.India, Sri Lanka-Drought,fresh water shortages 4.Tahiti-6 tropical cyclones 5.South America-Fish industry devastated5.South America-Fish industry devastated - decrease in nutrients off Peru- fewer fish (anchovy) 6.Across the Pacific-Coral reefs die 7.Colorado River basin-Flooding, mud slides 8.Gulf states-Downpours cause death, property damage 9.Peru, Ecuador-Floods, landslides 10.Southern Africa-Drought, disease, malnutritiondisease

21. Climate-related Disasters over the world Example 2: Global Warming

22. Global warming is a critical issue we are facing right now

23. Effects on society Hurricane Sandy in 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeaG1jRLIBw

24. Weather/Climate and Business - Insurance companies History of Atlantic hurricane activity The $15 billion insurance loss of Hurricane Andrew in 1992 led to the insolvency of 12 insurance companies and significant market disruption.

25. Climate Change & Economy/Engineering - Green Economy Renewable energy Green buildings Clean transportation Water management Waste management Land management

26. Weather/climate and International Relationships: Water conflict From The African Water Page Six nations share the watershed of the Mekong, which is affected by unconstrained development, natural droughts, and climate change

27. Climate and History/Politics - Collapse of Maya civilization and Chinese ancient dynasties Droughts

28. Weather/Climate and Basic Science/ Philosophy: Teleconnection and Interaction

29. Climate change and public health - New diseases appear on Tibet and other regions due to higher temperature

30. Weather/Climate and Psychology/Social Work

31. Climate change and Education Passing the message to the kids

32. Summary Atmosphere: A mixture of gas molecules, microscopically small particles of solid and liquid, and falling precipitation Meteorology: The study of the atmosphere and the processes that form weather Weather: The state of the atmosphere at a given time and place Climate: The statistical properties of the atmosphere. (i.e. averages and variability) Weather- and climate-related disasters: tropical cyclones, tornados, floods, droughts, winter storms, extreme heat, extreme cold, lightning, El Nino, global warming Impacts of weather/climate on agriculture, business, international relationships, history, science, philosophy, public health, psychology, social work, education, …