Current Climate Change Global Warming Current Climate Change

Scientists believe that Earth’s climate is changing again but this time because of human activity

Rising Temperatures Average temperatures go up and down over the years but the general trend is INCREASING By 2006, 11 of the past 12 years were the warmest on record

In Canada, the average national temperatures have increased by 1oC in the last 55 yrs, they have risen 2.5oC in the Yukon

Melting Glaciers Over the last few decades the average size of glaciers all over the world has begun to decrease as the temperature has increased People around the world depend on glaciers for their water – melting glaciers could lead to water shortages

Ice Sheets Ice sheets in Greenland are melting twice as fast as they did 15 yrs ago Snow is melting much further inland and at higher altitudes than ever before Sea Ice Summer ice continues to decrease

Global sea levels have risen significantly over the past 130 yrs Rising Sea Levels Global sea levels have risen significantly over the past 130 yrs Since 1993, sea levels has risen almost twice as fast than the 30 yrs before Can result in flooding of coastal areas Thermal Expansion: Warm water expands which also raises sea levels

Changes in Severe Weather Certain extreme weather events such as heat waves and hurricanes have become more severe i.e. Hurricane Katrina (2005) & Hurricane Sandy (2012)

Changes in Precipitation In the Northern hemisphere there is more precipitation as rain than as snow There has been an increase in heavy precipitation Other areas have received less precipitation than they used to and are experiencing periods of drought

Changing Seasons Amount of snow that stays on the ground in winter is decreasing Amount of very cold days throughout the world have decreased Cold weather is starting later in the fall and ending earlier in the spring  longer growing seasons

Changes in Ecosystems Trees, shrubs and flowers are flowering sooner due to temperature changes

Animals are breeding earlier

Animal and plants are slowly migrating towards the poles and to higher altitudes as their regions warm up  insects are also moving with them

Human Impact Humans are making MORE greenhouses gases! CO2 – burning fossil fuels for transportation and factories; deforestation means less trees to absorb CO2

Methane – land fills – decomposing garbage, cows (for food) Nitrous Oxide – using fertilizers, animal waste

What can be done? Reduce use of fossil fuels – carpool, walk, ride Use hybrid or electric cars/buses Improved fuel efficiency Laws to reduce CO2 Eat less meat