1. The Ocean and Climate Change

2. The ocean is full of life Trillions and trillions of life forms

3. The ocean is full of life Trillions and trillions of life forms Most = microscopic, single- celled organisms

4. The ocean is connected to the atmosphere

5. The ocean is connected to land

6. Why is the ocean important to everyone, including Kansas folks?

7. Ways the Ocean is Important Dominates the Earth’s surface area Improves the air we breathe Puts food on our plates Provides medicine Contributes to jobs, economic growth, and human protection

8. How are humans impacting the ocean?

9. Humans are Impacting the Ocean Trash at sea Harmful algal blooms and fish kills Unsustainable use of resources

10. Humans are Impacting the Ocean

11. The CO 2 Problem – Part 1 Increase in CO 2 absorption = Increase in ocean acidity Station Aloha Year

12. Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research Increase in CO 2 causes: Increased atmospheric temperature (CO 2 doubling = 1.5°C) Warming of ocean The CO 2 Problem – Part 2

13. Warming World The ocean is changing in our lifetime

14. Warming World The ocean is changing in our lifetime

15. Warming World The oceans are changing in our lifetime

16. Warming World

18. Questions?

19. CO 2 in the atmosphere will continue to rise if we do not enforce limits on emissions Temperatures are projected to rise 0.1-0.2° C per decade Sea level will continue to rise with warming (water will expand; more polar ice will melt) Weather events (hurricanes, droughts, precipitation, flooding) are expected to intensify; frequency however is still uncertain Ocean acidity will continue to increase and expand to all parts of the oceans Future Projections