human impact on ecosystems: recent climate change
DESCRIPTION
Global Warming: The rise in Earth’s average global temperatures over the last hundred years.TRANSCRIPT
Human Impact on Ecosystems: Recent Climate
Change
Question:• The terms “Global
Warming” and “Global Climate Change” are used interchangeably in the media. Why are they not the same thing?
Global Warming:•The rise in Earth’s average global temperatures over the last hundred years.
Global Climate Change:
•The changes in climate and environmental conditions due to the rise in average global temperatures.
In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change studied
years worth of data and concluded:
•Most of the temperature change was due to human activities
Question:•How do humans directly contribute to global warming and so to global climate change?
• Increasing release of greenhouse gases due to: –Burning of fossil fuels –Deforestation –Cattle production
Burning Fossil Fuels:•Oil, coal and natural gas•Used to:–Generate electricity–Heat homes–Run automobiles
Burning Fossil Fuels:•Produces greenhouse gases
which trap heat in the atmosphere:–CO2
–Methane (CH4)–Water vapor
Deforestation:• The cutting and burning of
forests to clear land for agriculture and development• Burning trees produces CO2
• Living trees remove CO2 from the atmosphere
Deforestation:• Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations:–25% of CO2 released is the result of deforestation
Cattle Production:• Cattle produce or are the reason for the
production of 9% of greenhouse gases• More that automobiles.–Deforestation–What they are fed releases huge amounts
of gases. – So does manure.–30% of all arable (crop-growing) land is
used to grow feed for cattle
Aerosols:• Tiny liquid or solid particles in the
atmosphere–Reflect sunlight back into space–May cool climate in some areas.–Contributes to imbalances that
impact climate•Droughts, floods and weather
extremes
Environmental Impacts of rise in
average global temperatures:
Question:• Students often consider us
here in Colorado safe from the affects of rising sea levels. What would be the social and political impact on us as populations moved inland toward us?
Warming of Oceans:•Rising sea levels•More frequent
occurrences of El Niño and La Nina •More water in atmosphere
Warming of Oceans:•More energy in water and
atmosphere means more major storms•Hurricanes at sea•Thunderstorms on land•Blizzards
Warming of Oceans:•Changes in migration patterns of fish and birds•This is why Polar bears are beginning to starve.
Other Human Impacts on Ecosystems:
Question:•What other impacts do
humans have on their environment and how can groups and individuals make changes to lessen these impacts?
Resource Depletion:•Overuse of non-renewable resources•Fossil fuels and water
Resource Depletion:• Example: Oglalla Aquifer• Under the Great Plains• Used for irrigating farmland• Would have been gone by 2000
if efforts were not made to use water-saving irrigation methods.
Pollution:•Harmful or poisonous substances introduced into the environment
Examples:• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) used as
coolants in old refrigerators and air conditioners
• Damages the ozone layer, which protects the surface of Earth from harmful UV light.
• Use is now restricted world-wide, and ozone layer is increasing
Fossil Fuels:• Produces H2S and other acids when
burned–Creates acid rain–Dissolves metals, rock and concrete–Kills crops and trees
• Power plants and cars now have emissions controls as per the Clean Air Act of 1970
Ways to reduce our impact:•Reduce use of fossil fuels
–Nuclear energy–Wind and solar power–Hybrid and electric vehicles
Ways to reduce our impact:• Build more energy efficient
housing•Geothermal heat for homes
• Plant trees• Conserve energy and recycle
Food For Thought:•Nuclear energy can be dangerous•Chernobyl•Fukushima
Food For Thought:•Batteries, for computers
and cell phones, as well as electric cars use dangerous heavy metals which can increase pollution
Food For Thought:•So do the new energy efficient light bulbs
Video: Iron Eyes Cody (who was
really full-blooded Italian)