Global Warming is Hot Stuff! Elaine Friebele Jug Bay Wetlands Sancutary

You’ve probably heard about Global Warming And also that our Climate is Changing Is it Real?

What is Climate Change?

What’s the Difference Between Climate and Weather ? Weather Weather refers to the current atmospheric conditions—the activity of precipitation, wind, and temperature in a region over a short period of time, such as hours or days. Climate includes average weather—or the average in a region— Climate includes average weather—or the average precipitation, wind and temperature in a region— over relatively long periods of time (decades through centuries). over relatively long periods of time (decades through centuries).

Annual Mean Daily Maximum Temperature

Weather varies over the short term Variation in Temperatures, Jan – Mar, 2005 compared to 45-year Average Temperature Is this map evidence for global warming?

Your grandparents may talk of deep snows decades ago. Climate Change

Our Climate is Changing Data shows that global surface air temperatures rose 0.75 o Celsius (1.5 o F) in the last century : 11 of the 12 warmest years since recordkeeping began in 1850.

What happened after 1860? Our climate has changed over the past 150 years.

In the early 1900s, gas- powered automobiles came along. Burning gasoline added more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. In the early 1900s, gas- powered automobiles came along. Burning gasoline added more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. In 1765, the steam engine, invented by James Watt, came into use. By 1830, people were burning coal to produce steam in factories, locomotives, and ships. The burning coal released carbon dioxide.

The amount of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in the atmosphere has increased By the year 2100, CO 2 levels could be double what they are today if we don’t reduce the burning of fossil fuels!

The Greenhouse Effect

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

There is more CO2 in the air now than there has been for the 800,000 years of the ice core record.

Will it keep getting warmer? Scientists predict that by the year 2100, the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere could be 4 o C (7.5 o F) warmer. Could we expect snow and freezing temperatures in the winter? How that would feel in the summer?

Global Warming affects the oceans Greenland’s Ilulissat glacier Warmer air is melting most of the world’s glaciers. Water from the glaciers is flowing into the sea. Ocean

Arctic Sea Ice

Global Warming affects the oceans  Water from melting glaciers raises sea level.  Water also expands as it gets warmer. Global average sea level has risen 10 – 20 cm (4 to 8 in) in the last century 10 – 20 cm (4 to 8 in) in the last century

California, Louisiana, and Maryland are the states predicted to lose the most land to sea level rise in the future.

Sea level is likely to rise 18 – 59 cm (8 in. to 2 feet) by the year 2100.

Sea level rise in the Chesapeake Bay will be twice the global average because the Bay itself is sinking

People living on islands will be forced to find new places to live Many people’s homes and workplaces in Manhattan would be flooded by rising seas in the next century.

Humans won’t be the only ones affected by climate change Polar bears live on sea ice, where they hunt seals and sea lions. They are unable to hunt from the water. Arctic ice is melting much earlier in the spring. Polar bears cannot hunt enough food to build up body fat to survive and feed their cubs after they come ashore in the spring to breed

Sea Level Rise Wetlands will be destroyed by flooding and by salt water flowing in from the oceans.

Wetlands will be destroyed Wetland waterbirds will Wetland waterbirds will have less food (SAV, or submerged aquatic vegetation) to eat have less food (SAV, or submerged aquatic vegetation) to eat Wetland habitat for young fish, crabs, frogs, and turtles will decrease.

Fewer wetlands to soak up water To store our drinking water To control floods

Fewer wetlands to filter our water

Sea Level Rise Dermo, the disease that kills oysters, spreads as the water becomes more salty (saline)

Global Warming Eelgrass, a crucial habitat for young blue crabs and fish, cannot grow in water warmer than 27 o C (80 o F)

BUT…As water becomes warmer, it holds less oxygen. it holds less oxygen. Higher temperatures raise the metabolism of cold-blooded animals, causing them to need more oxygen

Striped Bass Temperature Limit: 24 o (76 o F) Low oxygen levels in the hot months (July – Sept) cause this species to stop growing

Baby Red-bellied Turtles (top view) With global warming, the ratio of male: female reptiles may become skewed (mostly females, for example). The gender of turtles and other reptiles incubating inside eggs reptiles incubating inside eggs in the ground is determined by the temperature of the surrounding soil. Female Red-bellied Turtle

The Baltimore Oriole is living farther north than before. In the future it may migrate to the north and no longer be found in Maryland.

Washington, D.C.’s cherry blossoms are blossoming a week earlier than they did in the 1970s.

How can you help stop Global Warming?

Replace light bulbs in your home with compact fluorescents and cut energy use by 75%.

Wear a sweater to keep warm And turn down the thermostat

Turn off electronic devices

Bike or walk when you can Drive less

Plant a tree!

Activities and Lessons  Citizen Science  Calculate Carbon Footprint  Home and School Energy Surveys  Alternative Energy  Websites  Books  Games

Global Warming is Hot Stuff (That we can do something about)