Transcript What is CLIMATE?

BIRDDAY.ORG
Canaries in the Coal Mine
• Birds have long been indicators of the
health of our environment.
For many years, coal miners took
canaries in cages deep into the pits.
When a canary showed any signs of
stress, the miners knew they needed
to get out!
Photo contributed by www.robirda.com
Signs of a Changing Climate
Forest Fires
A warmer climate is
causing fires to be
larger and hotter,
burning more habitat
more often.
Signs of a Changing Climate
Shrinking Glaciers
Most glaciers are
shrinking, causing
lakes to form and
sea levels to rise.
Signs of a Changing Climate
Intense Weather
Heat waves,
windstorms, hurricanes,
floods, and drought
damage habitat.
Signs of a Changing Climate
Melting Ice
Ice at the earth’s
poles is melting.
What is CLIMATE?
Climate is the average weather in
a place over many years.
Weather can change in just a few minutes,
but climate takes years to change.
Why is Climate Changing?
The Carbon Timeline
A long, long time ago, volcanoes
spewed steam, ammonia,
methane, and CARBON DIOXIDE.
Why is Climate Changing?
The Carbon Timeline
The CARBON in Carbon Dioxide became part of the rocks,
swamps, and atmosphere over 4 million years ago.
Why is Climate Changing?
The Carbon Timeline
Today, CARBON is found in lots of things:
Diamonds - the hardest
substance on earth
Pencils - the soft, dark center,
also known as graphite
Why is Climate Changing?
The Carbon Timeline
CARBON is still a part of our atmosphere in the form of CARBON DIOXIDE.
Carbon Dioxide
Molecule
Why is Climate Changing?
The Carbon Timeline
Water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, and
CARBON DIOXIDE are a group of
molecules known as
Greenhouse Gases.
Why is Climate Changing?
The Carbon Timeline
Greenhouse gases absorb the sun’s heat,
making Earth warm enough for life. But
too many greenhouse gases can cause
Earth’s temperature to rise!
Over the last 50 years, the earth’s
temperature has risen an estimated
1oF (0.6oC).
Why is Climate Changing?
Almost everything we do emits carbon. As human activities
increase, the more carbon and other greenhouse gase we
add to the atmosphere….warming our climate.
Birds in a Changing Climate
Migration
Climate change can affect migration.
• Timing of departure
• Timing of arrival
Barn Swallows are
arriving on breeding
grounds as many as
14 days early.
Birds in a Changing Climate
Range
As temperatures warm, some
migratory birds are nesting as
many as 60 miles (100 km)
farther north today.
Yellow Warbler at nest.
Birds in a Changing Climate
Range
Some birds may have a more
restricted range.
In parts of southern Canada, Gray
Jay populations have declined as
much as 60%.
Scientists suspect that this species’
food caches are rotting, and adults
don’t have enough food to feed
their young.
Birds in a Changing Climate
Food
Temperatures aren’t just warming on
land. Oceans are warming too,
affecting the foods that seabirds eat.
Cassin’s Auklets abandoned their eggs for the first time in 30
years. The birds may not have had sufficient food, because of
warming ocean temperatures and changes in currents.
Birds in a Changing Climate
Food
On land, plants and insects
are flowering and hatching
earlier.
Scientists worry that
migratory birds may arrive
too late, missing important
food resources.
Blackpoll Warblers eats mosquitoes, ants,
aphids, spiders, and beetles.
Birds in a Changing Climate
Habitat
Birds depend on their habitats to survive. A changing climate
is already affecting habitats.
Some habitats are more vulnerable than others.
Birds in a Changing Climate
Habitat ~ Prairie Pothole
The Prairie Pothole Region is called a
“duck factory” because it is used by
thousands of nesting ducks.
Droughts and warmer, drier
weather could cause much of
this wetland to disappear through
evaporation.
Birds in a Changing Climate
Habitat ~ Boreal Forest
The Boreal Forest is the world’s largest forest habitat,
covering 15% of the Earth’s land surface below the Arctic
Circle in Alaska, Canada, Siberia, and Europe.
Logging and other types of
development release carbon stored
in trees and soil, making climate
change worse.
Birds in a Changing Climate
Habitat ~ Mangrove Forests
Mangroves are known as the “rainforests of the sea,”
because of the diverse wildlife that use them.
Rising sea levels, floods, and
more intense hurricanes will
have an affect on mangrove
survival.
Birds in a Changing Climate
Habitat ~ Oceans
Oceans cover 71% of the Earth,
forming the largest habitat.
Oceans are warming and becoming more
acidic, affecting the delicate balance of
marine plants and animals.
Birds in a Changing Climate
Habitat ~ The Sahel
The Sahel is a scrubby
zone located just south of
The Sahara, the world’s
largest hot desert.
What’s Your Carbon Footprint?
A Carbon Footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide a
person contributes to the atmosphere.
The Average CO2 produced by the average
person per year.
United States
44,000 pounds
Canada
30,800 pounds
United Kingdom 21,560 pounds
Mexico
9,240 pounds
Kenya
570 pounds
Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
4 Simple Ways
1. Switch from standard light bulbs to compact fluorescent
bulbs.
Compact fluorescent
bulbs will lower your
energy bill and emit one
third the carbon.
Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
2. Carpool, take
The bus, walk, or
ride your bike.
Every mile you drive emits
1 pound of carbon.
Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
3.
Turn off the T.V. and even better, unplug it! Electronics
still draw power when they are plugged in.
How much carbon do you emit watching t.v.?
Do the math!
Number of hours per week x 33 = pounds of carbon.
Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
4. Recycle, compost, and buy products with less packaging.
Each pound of solid waste contributes
1.5 pounds of greenhouse gases.
Get Involved!
It’s for the Birds!
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