Climate & Atmospheric Changes

Ozone Depletion Ozone- molecule consisting of 3 oxygen atoms  Benefit to humans because it absorbs harmful UV radiation Ozone layer is being depleted because of the addition of chemicals (esp. CFC’s) that break apart the ozone molecule OZONE VIDEO

How ozone is destroyed by CFCs

Ozone over Antarctica ANTARCTIC OZONE HOLEANTARCTIC OZONE HOLE (16 MIN) OZZY OZONEOZZY OZONE (10 MIN) Answer the following questions as they are answered in the video

CLIMATE CHANGE Long-term change in the earth's climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature.

GREENHOUSE EFFECT

Causes of Climate Change Description of what it is Explanation of how it impacts climate (What SCIENTISTS say) Volcanic eruptions Eruptions release greenhouse gases (CO 2, H 2 O, and sulfur dioxide) into the air …But, ash can also BLOCK the light… WARMS: more Greenhouse Gases COOLS: reflects light away Sunspots More emitted radiation and increased temperatures are found around sunspots More sunspots will increase the amount of heat that stays within the atmosphere. Earth’s orbit There is variation in Earth’s tilt which affects the amount of solar radiation received. Depending on the season, more or less energy is received from the sun. Carbon Dioxide fluctuations As heat is emitted back out into space, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) absorbs some of the heat. Heat is retained in the atmosphere (not radiated back into space) causing the global temperature to rise.

THEY ARE DIFFERENT!!!

Effects of Climate Change 1. HIGHER TEMPERATURES Link: The Nature Conservancy The five hottest years on record have all occurred since CHANGING LANDSCAPES Changing patterns of rain and snow are forcing trees and plants around the world to move toward polar regions and up mountain slopes

ALASKA - Portage Glacier Photos: NOAA Photo Collection and Gary Braasch – WorldViewOfGlobalWarming.org

ARIZONA- Colorado River June 2002Dec 2003

Effects of Climate Change 3. WILDLIFE AT RISK Rising temperatures are changing weather and vegetative patterns across the globe, forcing animal species to migrate to new, cooler areas in order to survive. Experts predict that 1/4 of Earth’s species will be headed for extinction by RISING SEAS Sea level rise from climate change could displace tens of millions of people. Sea levels could continue to rise between 4 inches and 36 inches over the next 100 years.

Effects of Climate Change 5. INCREASED RISK OF DROUGHT, FIRE & FLOODS Massive land erosion is one result of overgrazing & drought in Kenya 6. STRONGER STORMS & HURRICANES Hurricanes and tropical storms to become more intense — lasting longer, unleashing stronger winds, and causing more damage to coastal ecosystems

Effects of Climate Change 7. MORE HEAT RELATED ILLNESS & DISEASE As temperatures rise, so do the risks of heat-related illness and even death for the most vulnerable human populations. Increase the spread of infectious diseases. 8. ECONOMIC LOSSES Climate change could cost between 5 and 20 percent of the annual global gross domestic product. Declining crop yields could put hundreds of thousands of people at risk for starvation.

Effects of Climate Change 9. OCEAN ACIDIFICATION As temperatures rise, more CO 2 is absorbed by the ocean causing acidic water. 10. EL NINO & LA NINA Weather patterns in the Pacific Ocean change causing an increased frequency of bad weather events to occur around the world.

Normal Ocean Water NORMAL Strong Trade winds towards the western pacific Warm water off Australia Cool waters off the coast of South America. UPWELLING

El Nino Weaker trade winds in the pacific ocean Warm water off Australia moves towards South America Cool waters off the coast of South America begin to warm. More evaporation off of S.A. leading to more precipitation  floods Reduced upwelling EL NINO

El Nino During El Nino, upwelling stops, so fishing industry and economy are impacted

La Nina STRONG trade winds in the pacific ocean force warm water back to Australia COLD waters off the coast of South America return. STRONG upwelling LA NINA

EL NINO NORMAL YEAR LA NINA

Does El Nino or La Nina cause more hurricanes to hit the US Coastline (dark line)? LA NINA EVENT

Global Atmospheric Concentration of CO 2

Temperature (Northern Hemisphere) CO 2 Concentrations 1000 Years of CO 2 & Global Warming Degree Celsius Increase Parts Per Million Year

2007 Goal: Reductions in CO 2 Per Year Billions of Metric Tons Carbon

2007 Reductions in CO 2 Per Year Gigaton Carbon Produce electricity efficiently Use electricity efficiently Vehicle efficiency Solar and Wind Power Biofuels Carbon capture and storage Billions of Metric Tons Carbon Our Goal

YOU WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP SLOW DOWN GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE?