Global WarmingGlobal Warming

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Alyse LysgaardAlyse Lysgaard

What is global warming? Global warming is the increase in the

average temperature of the near-surface air and oceans of the Earth. This phenomena has been occurring since the mid-20th century and it is projected to continue.

What is the cause of global warming?

Scientists have determined that a number of human activities are Scientists have determined that a number of human activities are contributing to global warming by adding excessive amounts of greenhouse contributing to global warming by adding excessive amounts of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide gases to the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide accumulate in the atmosphere and trap heat that normally would exit into accumulate in the atmosphere and trap heat that normally would exit into outer space.outer space.

Explanation of the causes of global warming

What exactly are greenhouse gases?

Selected Greenhouse Gases

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Source: Fossil fuel burning, deforestation Anthropogenic increase: 30% Average atmospheric residence time: 500 years

Methane (CH4) Source: Rice cultivation, cattle & sheep ranching, decay

from landfills, mining Anthropogenic increase: 145% Average atmospheric residence time: 7-10 years

Nitrous oxide (N2O) Source: Industry and agriculture (fertilizers) Anthropogenic increase: 15% Average atmospheric residence time: 140-190 years

Where Do These Greenhouse Gases Come From?

US Fossil Fuel CO2 Emissions

Electricity Generation40%

Transportation32%

Industrial17%

Residential7%

Commercial4%

US CO2 Emissions

Fossil Fuel97%

Everything Else3%

US Greenhouse Emissions

CO283%

CH49%

N2O6%

HFCs, PFCs, SF62%

Important Data

0.00E+00

1.00E+09

2.00E+09

3.00E+09

4.00E+09

5.00E+09

6.00E+09

7.00E+09

8.00E+09

World USA OECD Asia

Population Total Carbon Emissions

More Important Data

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

World USA OECD Asia

Per Capita Carbon Emissions

Why should we be concerned about Global Warming?

Global Warming is the greatest environmental threat of the 21st Century by many scientists, researchers and environmentalists.

In the late 1990s scientists reached a consensus that global warming was a cause for concern.

So, why should you be concerned about global warming?

“Why Should I Care?”

What is the evidence of global warming?

• Global surface temperature increased 0.74 ± 0.18 °C (1.33 ± 0.32 °F) during the 100 years ending in 2005

• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes that most of the temperature increase since the mid-twentieth century is "very likely" due to the increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations.

• More frequent extreme weather is happening all over the globe.

• Sea ice is melting in the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans.

More evidence!

• The atmospheric levels of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, have been increasing since pre-industrial times from 280 part per million (ppm) to 377.5 ppm (2004 Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center), a 34% increase. Carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere are the highest in 650,000 years.

• Levels of atmospheric methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, have risen 145% in the last 100 years

Major greenhouse gas emitters

• Most greenhouse emissions come from developed countries

• US and Australia are leaders

• The US, with 6% of the world’s population, contributes 25% of the total emissions

Sources of emissions

• Industry (primarily electric power generation and cement production) is the leader

• Transportation is second

Still more evidence…• Disappearing glaciers  • Ice is melting all over the planet. Glaciers are melting on six continents!

Alaska's glaciers are receding at twice the rate previously thought, according to a new study published in the July 19, 2002 Science.

Note how the ice has pulled nearly out of sight from 1914 to 2004.

Predicted precipitation changes

• Overall increase in precipitation

• Some areas (Arctic, Sahara, Antarctic) become wetter

• Other areas become drierAnnual mean precipitation change: 2071 to 2100 Relative to 1990

Source: IPCC, 2001

Sea level rise

• Global sea level will rise between 0.3 and 0.9 meters, depending on scenario

• Causes: melting polar ice, thermal expansion of water

Source: IPCC, 2001

Sea ice trends

Sea ice will continue to decline dramatically

• Key findings:– Cold nights and

days are decreasing, warm nights and days increasing

– Decreases in cold nights, increases in warm nights are much greater than corresponding changes during daytime

– Consistent with warming caused by enhanced greenhouse effect

Predicted effects of global warming

Drier conditions reduce grain harvest. Reduced rainfall in rainforests as a result

of deforestation Flooding due to rising sea levels Damage to habitats due to changes in the

ecosystem Changes in water supply – water

shortages and contamination Spreading of tropical diseases - directly

related to global warming Increased air pollution

Stunted coral growth as a result of the doubling of atmospheric CO2. According to researchers from Chapel Hill University (North Carolina) the coral reef is

disappearing at an alarming rate and it seems it can’t be stopped.

Changing ecosystem

Global warming is causing a change in habitat requiring species to adapt and change!

Number disagreeing with the global consensus that greenhouse gas pollution has caused most of the warming of the last 50 years:

Science, December 3, 2004 Vol. 306, Issue 5702,1686

Number of scientific studies dealing with “climate change” published in scientific journals between 1993 and 2003:

Is Global Warming A Valid Concern?

What Can WE Do?What Can WE Do?

Every Individual Can Make a Difference

We Need Leadership!

We Need: Leaders

Political…

Credit: John Decker

Nevada Senator Harry Reid

Senate Majority Leader

Representative Shelley Berkley

Representative Dina Titus

Senator John Ensign

Representative Dean Heller

Pass Federal Legislation

Monitor Your Elected

Officials Records on

Environmental Concerns

What Do We Need for Federal Legislation!

• We need our elected leaders to pass strong, comprehensive

legislation regarding energy and global warming.

• Increased Fuel Efficiency Standards

• Energy Standards for Buildings

• Emissions Standards

• Renewable Electricity Standards

We Want: Emissions Reduction

80% total reduction below 1990 levels

by 2050

1. Limits emissions from a designated group of polluters, such as power plants.

2. Sets the limit (cap) for greenhouse gas pollution.

3. Polluters that exceed the cap need to reduce pollution.

4. Polluters that fall below the cap can sell pollution credits to other users.

5. Cap is lowered over time

We want to set emission standards!

How Can I Help With Federal How Can I Help With Federal Legislation?Legislation?

• Write letters to your elected officialsWrite letters to your elected officials

• Write letters to the editor of your Write letters to the editor of your local newspaper or television stationlocal newspaper or television station

• Start or participate in a global Start or participate in a global warming blogwarming blog

• Educate your peersEducate your peers

Is Federal Legislation the Only Is Federal Legislation the Only Answer?Answer?

•NO!• Individuals, Businesses, and Communities

can all work together to reduce emissions immediately.

You can Take Action at Home.

1. Buy a hybrid or alternative fuel vehicle

2. Replace windows

3. Install solar or geothermal power

4. Vacation closer to home

Replace Incandescent Bulbs

Fix Weather Stripping and Caulking

Stop Water Leaks

Change your Thermostat

More Action At HomeThe Easy Stuff...

And a little more effort….

I. Buy ENERGY STAR appliances

II. Dry clothes on a line

III. Reduce outside irrigation

Take Action: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Reducing half your household waste

= 2,400 lbs CO2 per year

Take Action In Your Community

WorkWork with others in your area to:

•Help schools, businesses, and local governments cut their energy use.

•Encourage local, state and federal government to protect open spaces, farmland, and forests

The Las Vegas Strip will soon be going dark, and the reason is to help Mother Nature. In just two months, Las Vegas will participate in a global movement known as "Earth Hour," all in an effort to raise awareness regarding climate change and global warming.

Educate Others to Take Action

What Do We Gain by Participating in Global

Warming Activities?Energy Energy independence - independence - FreedomFreedom from fossil fuels and pollution

Cleaner, BetterCleaner, Better air and water quality

CleanClean energy/technology jobs More forests, farmland, wetlands, wildlife

Take Action and Vote

Inform your elected

representatives how

important global

warming solutions are

to you.

The Most Important CrossroadsOf Our Lives…

Credits

http://www.ecobridge.org/content/g_evd.htm Turning up the heat on the future: Global Warming and its

Consequences. Dr. John Heinrichs. Department of Geoscience.

www.audobon.org Chemistry in Context. Applying Chemistry to Society http://www.lvwash.org/html/ http://reid.senate.gov/ http://ensign.senate.gov/public/ http://berkley.house.gov/ http://heller.house.gov/ http://titus.house.gov http://www.livescience.com/environment/050621_warming_

changes.html http://www.sierraclub.org/energy/habitat/