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CLIMATE CHANGECLIMATE CHANGE

WHAT IT ISWHAT IT ISWHAT WE CAN DOWHAT WE CAN DO

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Daily Weather Map

Rainfall Trends (in CA): One Element

of Climate Change

Source: Adapted from Jim Goodridge. “One Hundred Years of Rainfall Trends in California.” in “Watershed Management

Council Networker.” Winter 1991.

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OBSERVED GLOBAL SURFACE AIR TEMPERATURES

Source: Adapted from NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, New York

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HISTORICAL AND PROJECTED FUTURE CO2 CONCENTRATIONS

Source: Based on IPCC (1995). Derived from ice-core measurements (Siple and South Pole) and direct observation (Mauna Loa, Hawaii)

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GREENHOUSE EFFECT

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HUMAN ACTIVITIES CAN INTENSIFY

THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT

Transportation

Transportation

IndustryIndustry

UtilitiesUtilities

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POSSIBLE CLIMATE RESPONSE

Source: Adapted from a February 1997 briefing by Dan Albritton of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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EVIDENCE FOR GLOBAL WARMING

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INDICATORS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

1998 was the warmest year ever recorded

1 degree Fahrenheit temperature increase over last century

Melting of glaciers worldwide

Sea level has risen 4-10 inches over past100 years

Source: Adapted from Office of Science and Technology Policy. October 1997. Climate Change State of Knowledge

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The issue is real. Some human-induced

climate change appears inevitable.

Discernible “first signs” are being seen now.

But exact predictions on rates of change, magnitude of change, and impacts in different regions are hard to make.

Some human-induced climate change would be hard to reverse.

SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS

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POTENTIAL CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS

Health

Agriculture

Water Resources and Aquatic Life

Coastal Areas

Forests

Species and Natural Areas

Climate Changes

Sea Level Rise

Temperature

Precipitation

Source: Anne Grambsch (1998)

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AVERAGE ANNUAL EXCESS WEATHER-RELATED MORTALITY FOR 1993, 2020 AND 2050 CLIMATE

199319932020202020502050

00

5050

100100

150150

200200

250250

300300

Los Los AngelesAngeles

00

200200

300300

400400

500500

600600

St. LouisSt. Louis

New York CityNew York City

005050

100100150150200200250250300300

DallasDallas

120120

160160

200200

00

4040

8080

AtlantaAtlanta

00

250250

500500

750750

10001000

12501250

15001500

Sources: Kalkstein and Green (1997); Chestnut et al. (1995) Note: Includes both summer and winter mortality. Assumes full acclimation to changed climate. Includes population growth.

GFDL Climate Change Scenario.

PhoenixPhoenix00

1010

2020

3030

4040

5050

6060

100100

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PROJECTED CHANGES IN VEGETATION

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CHANGE IN WHEAT YIELD

Percent Change

-30 -20 -10 0 +30>+30+20+10

Source: Rosenzweig, 1995

+ 2.5oC+ 7% Precipitation530 ppmv CO2

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EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS

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RISING SEAS, VANISHING SHORESCirca 1920

1997

North Beach, Maryland

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LOSS OF HABITAT FOR BROWN TROUT

FROM A DOUBLING OF CO2 - 2050

Not includedin analysis *

1-49% Loss

50-100% Loss

Source: EPA, 1995 * Dual screening criteria used for inclusion: 1) Thermal modeling predicts suitability and 2) Fish presence in 10% or more of State’s water bodies. GFDL Climate Change Scenario

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WHAT ARE RESPONSE OPTIONS TO CLIMATE CHANGE?

Do Nothing Adapt Mitigate

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WHAT ARE SOME POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS

TO THE SLOWING OF GLOBAL WARMING?

Source: NOAA, 1995

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ACTIONS THAT STATES AND LOCALITIES CAN TAKE

Inventory your state’s or community’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Develop a plan of cost-effective actions to take.

Retrofit public facilities and improve their operations to save energy.

Purchase fuel-efficient vehicles for state and municipal fleets.

Burn methane from landfills and wastewater treatment plants to generate electricity.

Plant trees.

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ACTIONS THAT HOMEOWNERS CAN TAKE

Reduce your utility bills by purchasing energy-efficient appliances, fixtures, and other home equipment and products.

Use low-flow faucets in your showers and sinks.

Insulate all water pipes to reduce heat loss.

Purchase “Green Power” for your home’s electricity if available from your utility.

Recycle aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastic, cardboard, and newspapers.

Carpool.

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ACTIONS THAT BUSINESSES CAN TAKE

Buy energy-efficient computers, copiers, printers, fax machines, and other office equipment.

Convert to energy-efficient lighting fixtures that can help you use 40 percent less energy for lighting.

Purchase reflective roofing materials and insulation.

Recycle. Supplement employee

public transportation.

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Methane Methane ReductionReduction

and Recoveryand Recovery

IndustrialIndustrialSectorSector

HFC, PFC, and HFC, PFC, and NOx EmissionsNOx Emissions

VoluntaryVoluntaryProgramsPrograms

BuildingsBuildings

ForestryForestrySectorSector

InternationaInternational,l,

State andState andLocal Local

ProgramsPrograms

TransportatiTransportationon

SectorSector

EnergyEnergySectorSector

CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN (CCAP)

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FOR MORE INFORMATION EPA’s State and Local Climate Change Program (for information on

mitigation and adaptation actions that states and communities can take) Website: http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/ and click on “Public Decision Makers” under the “Visitors Center”

EPA/DOE ENERGY STAR® program (for information on buying ENERGY STAR® equipment for municipal offices) Tel: (888) 782-7937 Website: http://www.epa.gov/energystar.html

EPA/DOE Climate Wise (for information on cost-effective industrial energy efficiency and pollution prevention actions) Website: http://www.epa.gov/climatewise/

DOE’s Motor Challenge program (for information on energy-efficient motors) Tel: (800) 862-2086 Website: http://www.motor.doe.gov

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YOU CAN HELP STOP GLOBAL WARMING