Global Warming and its Effects Amber Ingram, Joseph Plaza, Nicole Berquist, Betsy McQueen, Natalie Moser, and Kimberly Cooper

Some day, the earth will warm, the oceans will rise and the weather will change. But each one of us will feel global warming’s effects, if in different ways. It will hit us all where we live.

What are the differences? Greenhouse effect? Climate change? Global warming? First bullet ~These terms are often used to describe the same problem, but actually relate to cause and effect, or problem and consequence. The greenhouse effect is the cause and global warming and climate change are the consequences. Second bullet ~The greenhouse effect causes an accumulation of heat (or energy) in the Earth's atmosphere. The global climate must then adjust to deal with that extra accumulation of energy, and these adjustments result in global warming and climate changes. Third bullet ~Global warming results from an increase in the temperature of the Earth's lower atmosphere. Climate changes result from alterations to regional climatic events such as rainfall patterns, evaporation and cloud formation.

What Causes Global Warming? The emission of heat trapping gases produced by vehicles, power plants, industrial processes and deforestation. As these gases build up, they act like a big blanket, over-heating the planet First bullet ~These pollutants remain in the atmosphere for more than a century, trapping heat that would otherwise radiate into space, much the same way that glass traps heat in a greenhouse. ~Global warming is usually portrayed as wholly attributable to an increase in greenhouse gasses. Notably carbon dioxide – CO2. http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/about/

Dangers of Global Warming

How do you think Global Warming is affecting us now?

What’s Happening? Extreme Weather Economy Health Ecosystems Rising global temperatures are expected to raise sea level, and change precipitation and other local climate conditions. Changing regional climate could alter forests, crop yields, and water supplies. It could also affect human health, animals, and many types of ecosystems. Deserts may expand into existing rangelands, and features of some of our national parks may be permanently altered Scientists predict that as society continues to emit heat-trapping gases, higher temperatures will be accompanied by an increase in extreme weather events