Global Climate Change Project Based Learning Environmental Issues and Global Climate Change… “How can I affect change in my world?” Global Climate Change Project Based Learning Environmental Issues and Global Climate Change… “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 climate to change?  Changes in the atmosphere  Natural processes  Volcanoes  Tectonic plate movement  Changes in the sun  Human activities – any activity that releases “greenhouse gases” into the atmosphere

What are greenhouse gases? Gases which absorb infrared radiation from the sun and trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere. Gases contribute to the “greenhouse effect!”

Evidence of Climate Change… Rising Sea Level: The rate of sea rise in the last 10 years is double that of the previous century. Rise in Global Temperature: The warmest 10 years in Earth’s history have all occurred in the last 12 years. Shrinking Ice Sheets: The Greenland ice sheet has lost cubic miles of ice and the Antarctic ice sheets have lost 36 cubic miles of ice between 2002 and Additional Evidence Includes: Declining Arctic Sea Ice Rise in Ocean Temperature Extreme Weather Ocean Acidification Source:

Northeast: Heat Waves, Heavy Downpours, and Sea Level RiseNortheast: Heat Waves, Heavy Downpours, and Sea Level Rise Northwest: Streamflow Change, Decreased Water Supply, Wildfires, Insect Outbreak, Tree Disease, Erosion, Ocean AcidificationNorthwest: Streamflow Change, Decreased Water Supply, Wildfires, Insect Outbreak, Tree Disease, Erosion, Ocean Acidification Southeast: Extreme Heat Threatens Population Health, Energy, and Farming; Sea Level RiseSoutheast: Extreme Heat Threatens Population Health, Energy, and Farming; Sea Level Rise Midwest: Extreme Heat, Heavy Downpours, and Flooding; Great Lakes at RiskMidwest: Extreme Heat, Heavy Downpours, and Flooding; Great Lakes at Risk Southwest: Increased Heat, Insect Outbreaks, Drought, Declining Water Supply; Flooding and Erosion in Coastal CommunitiesSouthwest: Increased Heat, Insect Outbreaks, Drought, Declining Water Supply; Flooding and Erosion in Coastal Communities Source: Current Effects of Climate Change in the United States…

Climate Change Effects on 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:

Climate Change: What can we 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: