Global Warming Lauren Pollock SCI 210 Dr. Sandy November 18, 2003 "An increasing body of observations gives a collective picture of a warming world and other changes in the climate system." Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2001

What is global warming??  An increase in the average temperature of the earth’s surface, especially a sustained increase sufficient to cause climatic change. - American Heritage Dic. of the English Language, 4 th Ed. - American Heritage Dic. of the English Language, 4 th Ed.

Evidence that Global Warming Exists  Increase in emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere -cars, power plants, etc. -cars, power plants, etc.  Global average temperatures increasing was the second warmest year on record.

Effects on U.S. Climate  There are several predicted climate pattern changes -warmer temperatures -warmer temperatures -drought and wildfire -drought and wildfire -more intense rainstorms -more intense rainstorms -changing weather patterns -changing weather patterns  Predictions are made based on warning signs today NRDC.com

Global Effects  Some of the global effects tend to have a domino effect -for example, rising temperatures causes warming waters, which leads to thinning and melting ice. -for example, rising temperatures causes warming waters, which leads to thinning and melting ice. Increased melting season in Antarctica, which affects the Adelie penguins who live there. Time.com -The melting of glaciers contributes to another problem, the rise of sea level. the rise of sea level. NRDC.com An ice shelf melting away over several months.

More Global Effects  Health -heat waves -heat waves -increase in spread of disease via -increase in spread of disease via mosquitoes mosquitoes  Ecosystem -possible extinction of species -possible extinction of species 279 species of plants and animals are already reacting to global warming, including these Pacific Salmon, who experienced a sharp decline in population in 1997 and Time.com

Consequences of Global Warming  Orange-indicates direct manifestations of a widespread and long-term trend toward warmer global temperatures, such as heat waves, ocean warming, glacier melting, and Arctic and Anarctic warming.  Red- indicates foreshadowed likely impacts with continued warming, such as spreading disease, earlier spring arrival, population changes, etc. Climatehotmap.org

What can you do?  This is a really cool site about common ways to reduce emissions of CO 2 and other harmful gases!  What can you do?? What can you do?? What can you do??