Global Climate Change First Fridays Talk4 November 2005Crispin Pierce, Ph.D.836-5589piercech@uwec.edu

Overview• What is global climate change?• What are the historical temperature

and weather pattern trends?• The greenhouse effect.• How has human activity altered

climate?• Costs of extreme weather events.• Greenhouse gas generation and

half-lives.• Global warming in Wisconsin.• What can be done.

What is Global Climate Change?• Average air, water, soil temperatures

• Mean sea level changes

• Patterns of precipitation, wind currents, water currents, storms, tornados, hurricanes, el nino and la nina.

• Droughts and floods

Historic Temperature Trends• Surface temperature

• Water temperature

• Atmospheric temperature (satellite data)

Measured Sea Level Changes

The Greenhouse Effect

http://www.tufts.edu/tie/tci/images/climatechange/greenhouse_effect.jpg

Human Influence• Greenhouse gas emissions

• Aerosol emissions

• Deforestation

Costs of Extreme Weather Events

Overall framework

Greenhouse Gas Half-Lives• Due to the slow conversion of

greenhouse gases such as CO2 into other chemicals (e.g., H2CO3, carbonic acid), human additions will take hundreds of years to balance.

• The half-life of CO2 in the atmosphere is about 100 years.

Global Warming in Wisconsin

• Likely effects include:–Warmer, wetter winters– Hotter, drier summers (increased heat-

related deaths, particularly amongst the elderly).

–More frequent forest fires. –More frequent drought, damaging

crops. – Less water available for drinking,

showers, and irrigation.

What can be done?• Stabilize world population– Greater foreign aid to support health• Reduce AIDS incidence• Provide food and clean water• Increase health services, including birth

control options

– Support expanded roles for women internationally• To own property• To hold public office• To work outside the home

• Revise energy policies–Mandate conservation and fuel

efficiency.– Shift towards non greenhouse gas-

producing sources: wind, solar, hydroelectric, and nuclear.

• Protect and expand carbon dioxide sinks– Protect forests.– Plant additional native trees.– Provide landowners with financial

incentives to maintain wooded areas.

• Make smart personal choices–Modest housing near city centers.– Fuel-efficient cars driven sparingly.– Vegetable/fruit/grain-centered diet.