1. Geog 1900N: 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) The mission of the atmospheric sciences is to understand and predict weather, climate, and related disasters

6. Fair weather

7. Monet: Waterlillies (the clouds) 1903

8. Sheng Mao (~1300AD): Sitting and watching clouds passing by ( 盛懋 : 坐看云起图 )

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

10. 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

11. Weather-related Disasters: Tornadoes

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

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

14. Summary: Weather-related Disasters in US

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

16. 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

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

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

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

20. Weather/Climate and Public Health - New diseases appear on Tibet and other regions due to global warming

21. Weather/Climate and Psychology/Social Work

22. Weather/Climate and Economy - 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.

23. Weather/Climate and economy - Green economy Renewable energy Green buildings Clean transportation Water management Waste management Land management

24. 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

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

26. Weather/Climate and Education Passing the message to the kids

27. 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 public health, transportation, agriculture, business, international relationships, history, science, philosophy, education, …