Global WarmingGlobal Warming

By: Eric TurnerBy: Eric Turner

What is Global Warming?What is Global Warming?

In brief global warming is the In brief global warming is the increase in planet wide temperaturesincrease in planet wide temperatures

We have experienced an increase in We have experienced an increase in temperature by approx. 0.3-0.6°C temperature by approx. 0.3-0.6°C over the last centuryover the last century

The majority of global warming is The majority of global warming is caused by greenhouse gas emissionscaused by greenhouse gas emissions

How Greenhouse Gases WorkHow Greenhouse Gases Work

First emissions like carbon dioxide First emissions like carbon dioxide and methane gas float into our upper and methane gas float into our upper atmosphere in the troposphereatmosphere in the troposphere

Sunlight-70% is absorbed but 30% Sunlight-70% is absorbed but 30% reflectedreflected

Greenhouse gases are a part of earth Greenhouse gases are a part of earth that regulates temperature however that regulates temperature however we have thrown off the delicate we have thrown off the delicate balancebalance

Contributors to Global WarmingContributors to Global Warming

Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide• Comes from vehicles, fossil fuel burning, Comes from vehicles, fossil fuel burning,

industries, farming, deforestation etc.industries, farming, deforestation etc. MethaneMethane

• Formed from decomposing garbage Formed from decomposing garbage from our landfills, breeding herds of from our landfills, breeding herds of cattlecattle

Nitrous oxideNitrous oxide• Found in fertilizersFound in fertilizers

For the ScepticsFor the Sceptics

Only up to 25% of recent variations Only up to 25% of recent variations can be lead back to the suncan be lead back to the sun

According to NASA Goddard Institute According to NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies “…the solar for Space Studies “…the solar increases do not have the ability to increases do not have the ability to cause large global temperature cause large global temperature increases…greenhouse gases are increases…greenhouse gases are indeed playing the dominant role…”indeed playing the dominant role…”

Evidence of Global WarmingEvidence of Global Warming Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets

are shedding approx. 125 billion tons of are shedding approx. 125 billion tons of ice every yearice every year

Glaciers are constantly receding, like Glaciers are constantly receding, like Canada’s own Athabasca Glacier which is Canada’s own Athabasca Glacier which is receding at about 15m/yearreceding at about 15m/year

Scientists predict that global warming will Scientists predict that global warming will effect weather patterns and cause more effect weather patterns and cause more frequent/intense storms and hurricanes frequent/intense storms and hurricanes like Katrinalike Katrina

Also predict species to start disappearingAlso predict species to start disappearing

The Evidence is in the IceThe Evidence is in the Ice

Scientists have been using ice to Scientists have been using ice to measure change in greenhouse measure change in greenhouse gasesgases• Look at the chemical make-up to Look at the chemical make-up to

determine the atmosphere and levels of determine the atmosphere and levels of gasesgases

• Also gives clues to average global Also gives clues to average global temperatures at that timetemperatures at that time

Effects of Global Warming on UsEffects of Global Warming on Us

Sea levels rising may endanger coastal Sea levels rising may endanger coastal cities where much of our population is cities where much of our population is locatedlocated

Increased flooding due to intense stormsIncreased flooding due to intense storms Extreme droughtExtreme drought

• Crops failingCrops failing Frequent heat waves and smogFrequent heat waves and smog

• Increase in heat stroke, asthma, pollen seasonIncrease in heat stroke, asthma, pollen season

What can we do to Fix this?What can we do to Fix this?

To fix this problem we need to find To fix this problem we need to find alternate sources of power or a way alternate sources of power or a way to clean the airto clean the air• Replace coal, oil and natural gas plants Replace coal, oil and natural gas plants

with nuclear plants or solar energywith nuclear plants or solar energy• Use electric carsUse electric cars• Hydrogen as a source of fuelHydrogen as a source of fuel• Remove the CO2 by planting new treesRemove the CO2 by planting new trees

ProblemsProblems

The problems with Global warming were The problems with Global warming were addressed at a meeting in Kyoto among addressed at a meeting in Kyoto among the UNthe UN• People want to see immediate change and People want to see immediate change and

reduction would produce little results for reduction would produce little results for decadesdecades

• Costly economicallyCostly economically• Nations would be unequally taxedNations would be unequally taxed• Desire to increase standards of living causes Desire to increase standards of living causes

increase of production and therefore emissionsincrease of production and therefore emissions

The FactsThe Facts Studies from 2004 show humans produce Studies from 2004 show humans produce

over 8 billion tons of CO2 per yearover 8 billion tons of CO2 per year Since 1750 CO2 levels have increased Since 1750 CO2 levels have increased

35% and methane 148%35% and methane 148%• Highest levels in 650 000 yearsHighest levels in 650 000 years

Estimates for the end of the 21Estimates for the end of the 21stst century century put temp. increase from 1.4-5.8°Cput temp. increase from 1.4-5.8°C

If something is not done about global If something is not done about global warming now we are headed for problemswarming now we are headed for problems

PicturesPictures http://solar-center.stanford.edu/sun-on-earth/glob-warm.hthttp://solar-center.stanford.edu/sun-on-earth/glob-warm.ht

mlml http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/

GlobalWarming/global_warming_update2.phpGlobalWarming/global_warming_update2.php http://www.geography.hunter.cuny.edu/~tbw/wc.notes/http://www.geography.hunter.cuny.edu/~tbw/wc.notes/

13.air.pollution/smoke.stack.pollution.jpg13.air.pollution/smoke.stack.pollution.jpg http://envirocenter.research.yale.edu/uploads/images/Globahttp://envirocenter.research.yale.edu/uploads/images/Globa

l-Warming.jpgl-Warming.jpg http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/

GlobalWarming/global_warming_update3.phpGlobalWarming/global_warming_update3.php http://www.engin.umich.edu/~cre/web_mod/la_basin/http://www.engin.umich.edu/~cre/web_mod/la_basin/

smog.jpgsmog.jpg http://sitemaker.umich.edu/section9group4/files/http://sitemaker.umich.edu/section9group4/files/

solar_field1.jpgsolar_field1.jpg http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Fall99/Nelson/politicians.jpghttp://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Fall99/Nelson/politicians.jpg

Works CitedWorks Cited McCarthy, J. (n.d.). McCarthy, J. (n.d.). Avoiding Global WarmingAvoiding Global Warming. Retrieved November 25, 2009, from . Retrieved November 25, 2009, from

http://www-formal.stanford.edu/jmc/progress/avoid.html http://www-formal.stanford.edu/jmc/progress/avoid.html Global Warming: Kyoto and Its ImplicationsGlobal Warming: Kyoto and Its Implications. (2002). Retrieved November 25, 2009, . (2002). Retrieved November 25, 2009,

from University of California, San Diego website: from University of California, San Diego website: http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/globalchange/global_warming/02.html http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/globalchange/global_warming/02.html

Gardiner, L. (2009, July 15). Gardiner, L. (2009, July 15). Effects of Climate Change TodayEffects of Climate Change Today. Retrieved November . Retrieved November 23, 2009, from 23, 2009, from University Corporation for Atmospheric Research website: University Corporation for Atmospheric Research website: http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/ http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/ earth/climate/cli_effects.html earth/climate/cli_effects.html

Riebeek, H. (2007, May 11). Riebeek, H. (2007, May 11). Global Warming: Feature ArticlesGlobal Warming: Feature Articles. Retrieved November . Retrieved November 22, 2009, from 22, 2009, from Earth Observatory website: Earth Observatory website: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/GlobalWarming/ http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/GlobalWarming/

Global WarmingGlobal Warming. (2008). Retrieved October 22, 2009, from Stanford SOLAR Center . (2008). Retrieved October 22, 2009, from Stanford SOLAR Center website: website: http://solar-center.stanford.edu/sun-on-earth/glob-warm.html http://solar-center.stanford.edu/sun-on-earth/glob-warm.html