Effects of Global Effects of Global Climate ChangeClimate Change

Jumping into the world of speculationJumping into the world of speculation

The big questionsThe big questions Are global CO2 concentrations increasing?Are global CO2 concentrations increasing?

Yes- Yes- Are global temperatures increasing? Are global temperatures increasing?

Yes- Yes- Does CO2 contribute to the greenhouse effect?Does CO2 contribute to the greenhouse effect?

Yes- Yes- Does the greenhouse effect cause warming?Does the greenhouse effect cause warming?

Yes- Yes-

How will the earth be affected by warming?How will the earth be affected by warming? Methods?Methods?

Climate Models Climate Models How much will each thing contribute?How much will each thing contribute? Manipulate to matchManipulate to match

the past the past Use it to predict the Use it to predict the

futurefuture Must take feedbacksMust take feedbacks

into account into account

Consider the feedbacksConsider the feedbacks Negative feedback- reverse the warming trendNegative feedback- reverse the warming trend Positive feedback- exaggerates the warming trend Positive feedback- exaggerates the warming trend

More water evaporates which make more More water evaporates which make more clouds that reflect the sun clouds that reflect the sun

Glaciers melt and reveal dark rock Glaciers melt and reveal dark rock underneath that absorbs the sununderneath that absorbs the sun

Melting permafrost releases methane from Melting permafrost releases methane from decomposing ground decomposing ground

More CO2 in atmosphere for plants More CO2 in atmosphere for plants

Combined EffectsCombined Effects

Terminology Terminology

Global Warming

Global Climate Change

Why?

Applying to Earth SystemsApplying to Earth Systems

What effect is predicted to… ? What effect is predicted to… ? WildlifeWildlife Tropical stormsTropical storms Tropical diseasesTropical diseases Polar ice caps/sea level Polar ice caps/sea level Desertification Desertification Agriculture Agriculture

Good impacts? Bad impacts? Good impacts? Bad impacts? Connections to past units Connections to past units

WildlifeWildlife

Good impactsGood impacts

Bad impacts Bad impacts

Connections to past units Connections to past units

Tropical Storms Tropical Storms

Good impactsGood impacts

Bad impacts Bad impacts

Connections to past units Connections to past units

Tropical DiseaseTropical Disease

Good impactsGood impacts

Bad impacts Bad impacts

Connections to past units Connections to past units

Polar Ice Caps/Sea Level Polar Ice Caps/Sea Level

Good impactsGood impacts

Bad impacts Bad impacts

Connections to past units Connections to past units

DesertificationDesertification

Good impactsGood impacts

Bad impacts Bad impacts

Connections to past units Connections to past units

AgricultureAgriculture

Good impactsGood impacts

Bad impacts Bad impacts

Connections to past units Connections to past units