Global Climate ChangeGlobal Climate ChangeProject Based LearningProject Based Learning

Environmental Issues Environmental Issues and Global Climate Change…and Global Climate Change…

“How can I affect change in my world?”“How can I affect change in my world?”

Global Warming Versus Climate Change…

Global Climate Change: Identifiable change in the climate of Earth as a whole that lasts for an extended period of time If due to natural processes, it is usually referred

to as global climate variability Usually refers to changes forced by human

activities that change the atmosphere

Global Warming: Rising ongoing change in Earth’s global temperature near the surface

Caused mostly by increase in greenhouse gases Represents only one aspect of climate change

What causes Earth’s What causes Earth’s climate to change?climate to change?

Changes in the atmosphereChanges in the atmosphere Natural processesNatural processes

Volcanoes Volcanoes Tectonic plate movementTectonic plate movement Changes in the sunChanges in the sun

Human activities – any activity that releases Human activities – any activity that releases “greenhouse gases” into the atmosphere“greenhouse gases” into the atmosphere

What are What are greenhouse gases?greenhouse gases?

Gases which absorb infrared radiation Gases which absorb infrared radiation from the sun and trap heat in Earth’s from the sun and trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere. Gases contribute to the atmosphere. Gases contribute to the

“greenhouse effect!”“greenhouse effect!”

https://www.koshland-science-museum.org/sites/default/files/GreenhouseEffect.jpg

Evidence of Climate Evidence of Climate Change…Change…

Rising Sea Level: Rising Sea Level: The rate of sea rise in the last 10 years is double that of The rate of sea rise in the last 10 years is double that of the previous century.the previous century.

Rise in Global Temperature: Rise in Global Temperature: The warmest 10 years in Earth’s history have The warmest 10 years in Earth’s history have all occurred in the last 12 years.all occurred in the last 12 years.

Shrinking Ice Sheets:Shrinking Ice Sheets: The Greenland ice sheet has lost 36-60 cubic miles of The Greenland ice sheet has lost 36-60 cubic miles of ice and the Antarctic ice sheets have lost 36 cubic miles of ice between 2002 ice and the Antarctic ice sheets have lost 36 cubic miles of ice between 2002 and 2005.and 2005.

Additional Evidence Includes:Additional Evidence Includes:

Declining Arctic Sea Ice Rise in Ocean TemperatureDeclining Arctic Sea Ice Rise in Ocean Temperature

Extreme Weather Ocean AcidificationExtreme Weather Ocean Acidification

Source: http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/Source: http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/

2003-2007

•Northeast: Northeast: Heat Waves, Heavy Downpours, and Sea Level RiseHeat Waves, Heavy Downpours, and Sea Level Rise

•Northwest:Northwest: Streamflow Change, Decreased Water Supply, Wildfires, Streamflow Change, Decreased Water Supply, Wildfires, Insect Outbreak, Tree Disease, Erosion, Ocean AcidificationInsect Outbreak, Tree Disease, Erosion, Ocean Acidification

•SoutheastSoutheast: Extreme Heat Threatens Population Health, Energy, and : Extreme Heat Threatens Population Health, Energy, and Farming; Sea Level RiseFarming; Sea Level Rise

•Midwest:Midwest: Extreme Heat, Heavy Downpours, and Flooding; Great Lakes Extreme Heat, Heavy Downpours, and Flooding; Great Lakes at Riskat Risk

•Southwest:Southwest: Increased Heat, Insect Outbreaks, Drought, Declining Water Increased Heat, Insect Outbreaks, Drought, Declining Water Supply; Flooding and Erosion in Coastal CommunitiesSupply; Flooding and Erosion in Coastal Communities

Source: http://climate.nasa.gov/effects/Source: http://climate.nasa.gov/effects/

Current Effects of Climate Current Effects of Climate Change in the United Change in the United States…States…

Climate Change Effects on Climate Change Effects on Ecosystems…Ecosystems…

•Changes to where species live and how they interact may alter current ecosystems.

•Each species impacted by climate change affects another organism in that ecosystem.

•Projected warming could greatly increase the rate of species extinctions.

•Arctic and mountain ecosystems and species who live there are more sensitive to change.

Source: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/impacts-adaptation/ecosystems.html

http://divediscover.whoi.edu/arctic-ecosystem

Climate Change: What can we Climate Change: What can we do???do???

•Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Alternative Energy Sources

•Monitor Water Usage: Conserve Water, Use Native and Drought- Resistant Plants, Water Efficient Appliances and Plumbing

•Reduce Energy Usage: Power Down Electronics and Appliances, Use Natural Lighting, Energy Efficient Appliances

•Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Waste Reduction, Avoid Disposable Products, Borrow Instead of Buy

•Prepare for the Future: Monitor Personal and Environmental Health

•Spread the Word!!!!!

Source: http://www.epa.gov/climatestudents/solutions/actions/index.html