Climate ChangeClimate Change

QuestionsQuestions

Are global warming and climate change the same thing?

What is the difference between climate and weather?

What is the greenhouse effect? What is the most abundant greenhouse gas? Is climate change real? What evidence is there for climate change? Does the hole in the ozone layer cause climate

change?

Are global warming and climate change the same thing?

What is the difference between climate and weather?

What is the greenhouse effect? What is the most abundant greenhouse gas? Is climate change real? What evidence is there for climate change? Does the hole in the ozone layer cause climate

change?

What’s the Difference?What’s the Difference?

Global Climate Change– Any significant change in measures of climate (temperature,

precipitation or wind) lasting for an extended period (decades or longer).

Global Warming– Average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere, which can

contribute to changes in global climate patterns.

Global Climate Change– Any significant change in measures of climate (temperature,

precipitation or wind) lasting for an extended period (decades or longer).

Global Warming– Average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere, which can

contribute to changes in global climate patterns.

Weather vs. ClimateWeather vs. Climate

Weather – Short-term (minutes to

months) changes in the atmosphere

Climate – Long-term average

pattern of weather in a particular area

– Typically use 30 years of data

Weather – Short-term (minutes to

months) changes in the atmosphere

Climate – Long-term average

pattern of weather in a particular area

– Typically use 30 years of data

Greenhouse GasesGreenhouse Gases

Water Vapor: 0-4% Carbon Dioxide (CO2):

0.036% Methane (CH4):

0.00017% Nitrous Oxide (N2O):

0.00003% CFC’s

Water Vapor: 0-4% Carbon Dioxide (CO2):

0.036% Methane (CH4):

0.00017% Nitrous Oxide (N2O):

0.00003% CFC’s

Greenhouse EffectGreenhouse Effect

Earth’s average temperature would be 0 ºF without the greenhouse effect compared to the average temperature of 60 ºF that we experience

Global Energy BudgetGlobal Energy Budget

EvidenceEvidence

Carbon Dioxide Levels in Relation to Global Temperature

Carbon Dioxide Levels in Relation to Global Temperature

DEALING WITH GLOBAL WARMING

DEALING WITH GLOBAL WARMING

Climate change is such a difficult problem to deal with because:– The problem is global.– The effects will last a long time.– The problem is a long-term political issue.– The harmful and beneficial impacts of climate

change are not spread evenly.– Many actions that might reduce the threat are

controversial because they can impact economies and lifestyles.

Climate change is such a difficult problem to deal with because:– The problem is global.– The effects will last a long time.– The problem is a long-term political issue.– The harmful and beneficial impacts of climate

change are not spread evenly.– Many actions that might reduce the threat are

controversial because they can impact economies and lifestyles.

DEALING WITH GLOBAL WARMING

DEALING WITH GLOBAL WARMING

Two ways to deal with global warming:–Mitigation that reduces greenhouse gas

emissions.– Adaptation, where we recognize that some

warming is unavoidable and devise strategies to reduce its harmful effects.

Two ways to deal with global warming:–Mitigation that reduces greenhouse gas

emissions.– Adaptation, where we recognize that some

warming is unavoidable and devise strategies to reduce its harmful effects.

Fig. 20-14, p. 481

Cut fossil fuel use (especially coal)

Shift from coal to natural gas

Improve energy efficiency

Shift to renewable energy resources

Transfer energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies to developing countries

Reduce deforestation

Use more sustainableagriculture and forestry

Limit urban sprawl

Reduce poverty

Slow population growth

Remove CO2 from smoke stack and vehicle emissions

Store (sequester)CO2 by planting trees

Sequester CO2 deep underground

Sequester CO2 in soil by using no-till cultivation and taking cropland out of production

Sequester CO2 in the deep ocean

Repair leaky natural gas pipelines and facilities

Use animal feeds that reduce CH4 emissions by belching cows

Solutions

Global Warming

Prevention Cleanup

DEALING WITH GLOBAL WARMING

DEALING WITH GLOBAL WARMING

Governments can tax greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, increase subsidies and tax breaks for saving energy, and decrease subsidies and tax breaks for fossil fuels.

A crash program to slow and adapt to global warming now is very likely to cost less than waiting and having to deal with its harmful effects later.

Governments can tax greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, increase subsidies and tax breaks for saving energy, and decrease subsidies and tax breaks for fossil fuels.

A crash program to slow and adapt to global warming now is very likely to cost less than waiting and having to deal with its harmful effects later.

International Climate Negotiations: The Kyoto Protocol

International Climate Negotiations: The Kyoto Protocol

– Treaty on global warming which first phase went into effect January, 2005 with 189 countries participating.

– It requires 38 participating developed countries to cut their emissions of CO2, CH4, and N2O to 5.2% below their 1990 levels by 2012.

– Developing countries were excluded. The U.S. did not sign, but California and Maine are

participating. U.S. did not sign because developing countries such

as China, India and Brazil were excluded.

– Treaty on global warming which first phase went into effect January, 2005 with 189 countries participating.

– It requires 38 participating developed countries to cut their emissions of CO2, CH4, and N2O to 5.2% below their 1990 levels by 2012.

– Developing countries were excluded. The U.S. did not sign, but California and Maine are

participating. U.S. did not sign because developing countries such

as China, India and Brazil were excluded.

Key IndicatorsKey Indicators

Sea Level Carbon Dioxide Concentration Global Surface Temperature Artic Sea Ice Land Ice

Sea Level Carbon Dioxide Concentration Global Surface Temperature Artic Sea Ice Land Ice

EvidenceEvidence

Sea Level Rise– Global sea level rose 17 cm (6.7 in.) in the last century – Rate in the last decade nearly double that of the last

century

Global Temperature Rise– Earth has warmed since 1880 with most of warming

occurring since the 1970s– 20 warmest years occurred since 1981– 10 warmest years occurred in the past 12 years.

Sea Level Rise– Global sea level rose 17 cm (6.7 in.) in the last century – Rate in the last decade nearly double that of the last

century

Global Temperature Rise– Earth has warmed since 1880 with most of warming

occurring since the 1970s– 20 warmest years occurred since 1981– 10 warmest years occurred in the past 12 years.

EvidenceEvidence

Warming Oceans– Top 700 m (2,300 ft) of ocean showing warming of

0.302 °F since 1969

Shrinking Ice Sheets– Greenland: lost 150-250 km3 (36-60 cubic miles) of ice

per year between 2002 and 2006– Antarctica: lost 152 km3 (36 cubic miles) of ice between

2002 and 2005

Warming Oceans– Top 700 m (2,300 ft) of ocean showing warming of

0.302 °F since 1969

Shrinking Ice Sheets– Greenland: lost 150-250 km3 (36-60 cubic miles) of ice

per year between 2002 and 2006– Antarctica: lost 152 km3 (36 cubic miles) of ice between

2002 and 2005

EvidenceEvidence

Declining Arctic sea ice– Extent and thickness of Arctic sea ice has declined

rapidly over last several decades

Glacial retreat– Retreating almost everywhere around the world

including Alps, Himalayas, Andes, Rockies, Alaska and Africa

Declining Arctic sea ice– Extent and thickness of Arctic sea ice has declined

rapidly over last several decades

Glacial retreat– Retreating almost everywhere around the world

including Alps, Himalayas, Andes, Rockies, Alaska and Africa

EvidenceEvidence

Extreme Events– Number of record high temps increasing since 1950– Number of record low temperature decreasing since

1950– Increasing numbers of intense rainfall events

Ocean Acidification– CO2 content of oceans increasing since 1750

– Currently increasing 2 billion tons per year– Increased ocean acidity by about 30%

Extreme Events– Number of record high temps increasing since 1950– Number of record low temperature decreasing since

1950– Increasing numbers of intense rainfall events

Ocean Acidification– CO2 content of oceans increasing since 1750

– Currently increasing 2 billion tons per year– Increased ocean acidity by about 30%

NASA InteractivesNASA Interactives

http://climate.nasa.gov/interactives/ http://climate.nasa.gov/interactives/

IPCCIPCC

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Group of scientist from around the world that

review and assess information on climate change

Climate models and projections

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Group of scientist from around the world that

review and assess information on climate change

Climate models and projections

Projections for North AmericaProjections for North America

Decreasing snowpack in the western mountains

5-20% increase in yields of rain-fed agriculture in some regions

Increased frequency, intensity and duration of heat waves

Decreasing snowpack in the western mountains

5-20% increase in yields of rain-fed agriculture in some regions

Increased frequency, intensity and duration of heat waves

Projections for Latin AmericaProjections for Latin America

Gradual replacement of tropical forest by savannah in eastern Amazon

Risk of significant biodiversity loss through species extinction in many tropical areas

Significant changes in water availability for human consumption, agriculture and energy generation

Gradual replacement of tropical forest by savannah in eastern Amazon

Risk of significant biodiversity loss through species extinction in many tropical areas

Significant changes in water availability for human consumption, agriculture and energy generation

Projections for EuropeProjections for Europe

Increased risk of inland flash floods

More frequent coastal flooding and erosion

Glacial retreat in mountainous areas

Reduced snow cover and winter tourism

Extensive species losses Reductions of crop

productivity in S. Europe

Increased risk of inland flash floods

More frequent coastal flooding and erosion

Glacial retreat in mountainous areas

Reduced snow cover and winter tourism

Extensive species losses Reductions of crop

productivity in S. Europe

Projections for AfricaProjections for Africa

By 2020, 75-250 million people are projected to be exposed to increased water stress

Yields from rain-fed agriculture could be reduced by up to 50% in some regions by 2020

Agricultural production, including access to food, may be severely compromised

By 2020, 75-250 million people are projected to be exposed to increased water stress

Yields from rain-fed agriculture could be reduced by up to 50% in some regions by 2020

Agricultural production, including access to food, may be severely compromised

Projections for AsiaProjections for Asia

Freshwater availability projected to decrease by 2050

Coastal areas at risk for increased flooding Death rate from disease associated with floods

and droughts expected to rise

Freshwater availability projected to decrease by 2050

Coastal areas at risk for increased flooding Death rate from disease associated with floods

and droughts expected to rise

Wisconsin’s Climate 1950-2006Wisconsin’s Climate 1950-2006

Average temperature increased 1.5 ºF Greatest amount of warming in winter and spring, especially

NW Wisconsin Nighttime lows warming faster than daytime highs,

especially in summer Decline in extremely cold winter nights, especially in NW

Wisconsin Date of last spring freeze occurring 6-20 days earlier Date of first fall freeze occurring 3-8 days later Growing season increased up to 4 weeks Annual average precipitation increased 15% although parts

of the N became drier

Average temperature increased 1.5 ºF Greatest amount of warming in winter and spring, especially

NW Wisconsin Nighttime lows warming faster than daytime highs,

especially in summer Decline in extremely cold winter nights, especially in NW

Wisconsin Date of last spring freeze occurring 6-20 days earlier Date of first fall freeze occurring 3-8 days later Growing season increased up to 4 weeks Annual average precipitation increased 15% although parts

of the N became drier

Wisconsin’s Future Climate Projections

Wisconsin’s Future Climate Projections

4-9ºF increase by mid-21st Century Warming most pronounced in winter Fewer extremely cold winter nights and

more hot summer days Probability of greater than 3 in. rainstorms

will increase during spring and fall

4-9ºF increase by mid-21st Century Warming most pronounced in winter Fewer extremely cold winter nights and

more hot summer days Probability of greater than 3 in. rainstorms

will increase during spring and fall

Projected Change in theFrequency of 2" Precipitation Events (days/decade) from

1980 to 2055

Projected Change in the Frequency of 90 ºF Days Per

Year from 1980 to 2055

Projected Change in Annual Temp from 1980 to 2055

Projected Change in AverageWinter Temp from 1980 to 2055

Ice Cover on Madison LakesIce Cover on Madison Lakes

http://climatewisconsin.org/story/ice-cover http://climatewisconsin.org/story/ice-cover

Temperature ChangeTemperature Change

http://climatewisconsin.org/story/temperature-change

http://climatewisconsin.org/story/temperature-change

Shipping on the Great LakesShipping on the Great Lakes

http://climatewisconsin.org/story/great-lakes-shipping

http://climatewisconsin.org/story/great-lakes-shipping