The Impact of Global Warming on Texas

Vanessa Addai and Felicia DonleyUniversity of Texas at AustinDepartment of Chemical EngineeringChE 379November 21,2006

Introduction

• Greenhouse Effect

• Global Warming

• Texas’ mark on the world

Emission of Greenhouse Gases

• Types• CO2

• Methane• NOx• Fluorinated Gases

• Sources• Fossil fuel combustion• Other sources

• Statistics• 2003: 694.08 MMT CO2

released in Texas• CO2 concentration

increase of 35 % since Industrial Revolution

• NOx increase of 15%

• Local climatic changes• Diverse • Natural variability

• CO2 production in Texas

• Statistics • Texas is #1 emitter of

CO2 in the U.S.

• Alone, #7 worldwide

• No state wide plan• No official inventory

Current Climatic Changes in Texas

Future Climatic Changes in Texas

• Temperature increase • Warmer ocean water

• Increased hurricane activity and strength

• Droughts • Regional Flooding

Future Climatic Changes in Texas cont.

• Sea-level rising• Impact on Texas coastal regions

What Does This Mean for Texas?

• Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem • Shifting habitat• Fresh water turnover

• Shell fish • Fin fish

• Agriculture• Currently: $14 billion industry• Consumes 58% of the state’s water• Increase in Yield: Cotton and Hay• Decrease in Yield: Wheat, Rice, Potatoes

What Does This Mean for Texas? Cont.

• Human health risk

What Does This Mean for Texas? Cont.

• Economic impact• Decreased reliance greenhouse gas forming industry

• Service and High-Tech

• Utility industry increase• Capacity and output increase

• Rising sea-level • Property loss and damage• Loss of commercial fishing and recreation• Potential loss of jobs

Conclusions

• Global warming is real threat to Texas

• Reduction of CO2 emissions to decrease the impact on:• Sea-level rising• Human health• Ecological health• Climate

“As the nation’s leading carbon emitter, Texas has a moral responsibility to its citizens and its neighbors to show leadership by reducing our carbon footprint and doing what we can to slow the consequences of global warming.” – Environmental Defense Fund