1. Geography of Canada www.CraigMarlatt.com/school Global Natural Systems

2. 1.Global Natural Systems 2.Biomes 3.Climate Change

3. The Ring of Fire

4. World Ocean Currents

5. Other Global Natural Systems Transboundary Air Pollution Continental Shelves Jet Stream Natural Disasters

6. Biomes Biomes are large areas of the Earth that share similar temperature, precipitation, food chains, animals, and soils. –Rainforest –Chapparal –Grassland –Savanna –Desert –Tundra –Deciduous Forest –Boreal or Taiga Forest

7. Biomes Polar Mid-Latitude Sub-Tropical Tropical

8. Biomes

9. Deserts of the World

10. Rainforests of the World

11. Climate Change Climate change is a change in the “average weather” that a given region experiences (remember that weather = temperature + precipitation) Climate changes over the long term have many implications for natural ecosystems Right now the climate change that we are experiencing is a global warming which leads to higher sea levels due to melting ice caps and many other environmental problems

13. Climate Change So the Earth is getting warmer right now, but is it a natural cycle or a man-made disaster? Time Temp 16°C 10 000 years *

14. Climate Change So global warming is happening, and it is a natural cycle, BUT humans are making it significantly worse than the natural cycle. Climate change is most noticeable by the recent increase in the number and increase in strength of major natural disasters (e.g., Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma in the Gulf of Mexico, 2005). But what is causing this rapid increase in global warming?

15. Climate Change

16. What can be done to reduce the effects of climate change? –Implement the Kyoto Protocol on Greenhouse Gas Emissions which is reducing emissions of gases that speed up the Greenhouse Effect –Specifically: Governments – setting guidelines for people to follow Business – becoming more environmentally friendly Schools – teaching students about living responsibly Individuals – take the “One Tonne Challenge” to use less energy, conserve water and resources, and to reduce waste

17. Climate Change Remembering all of your energy saving ways from the Economic Geography unit? e.g., Individuals can buy energy-efficient appliances.