Transcript PBL Global Climate Change powerpoint 2015

Global Climate Change
Project Based Learning
Environmental Issues
and Global Climate Change…
“How can I affect change in my world?”
Global Warming Versus
Climate Change…
Global Climate Change: Identifiable change
in the climate of Earth as a whole that lasts
for an extended period of time
 If due to natural processes, it is usually referred
to as global climate variability
 Usually refers to changes forced by human
activities that change the atmosphere
Global Warming: Rising ongoing change in
Earth’s global temperature near the surface
 Caused mostly by increase in greenhouse gases

Represents only one aspect of climate change
What causes Earth’s
climate to change?
 Changes in the atmosphere
 Natural processes
 Volcanoes
 Tectonic plate movement
 Changes in the sun
 Human activities – any activity that
releases “greenhouse gases” into the
atmosphere
What are
greenhouse gases?
Gases which absorb infrared radiation
from the sun and trap heat in Earth’s
atmosphere. Gases contribute to the
“greenhouse effect!”
https://www.koshland-science-museum.org/sites/default/files/GreenhouseEffect.jpg
Evidence of Climate Change…
Rising Sea Level: The rate of sea rise in the last 10 years is double that of
the previous century.
Rise in Global Temperature: The warmest 10 years in Earth’s history have
all occurred in the last 12 years.
Shrinking Ice Sheets: The Greenland ice sheet has lost 36-60 cubic miles of
ice and the Antarctic ice sheets have lost 36 cubic miles of ice between 2002
and 2005.
Additional Evidence Includes:
Declining Arctic Sea Ice
Rise in Ocean Temperature
Extreme Weather
Ocean Acidification
Source: http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
2003-2007
Current Effects of Climate
Change in the United States…
•Northeast: Heat Waves, Heavy Downpours, and Sea Level Rise
•Northwest: Streamflow Change, Decreased Water Supply, Wildfires,
Insect Outbreak, Tree Disease, Erosion, Ocean Acidification
•Southeast: Extreme Heat Threatens Population Health, Energy, and
Farming; Sea Level Rise
•Midwest: Extreme Heat, Heavy Downpours, and Flooding; Great Lakes
at Risk
•Southwest: Increased Heat, Insect Outbreaks, Drought, Declining Water
Supply; Flooding and Erosion in Coastal Communities
Source: http://climate.nasa.gov/effects/
Climate Change Effects on
Ecosystems…
•Changes to where species live and how they interact may alter
current ecosystems.
•Each species impacted by climate change affects another organism
in that ecosystem.
•Projected warming could greatly increase the rate
of species extinctions.
•Arctic and mountain ecosystems and species who
live there are more sensitive to change.
http://divediscover.whoi.edu/arctic-ecosystem
Source: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/impacts-adaptation/ecosystems.html
Climate Change: What can we do???
•Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Alternative Energy Sources
•Monitor Water Usage: Conserve Water, Use Native and DroughtResistant Plants, Water Efficient Appliances and Plumbing
•Reduce Energy Usage: Power Down Electronics and Appliances, Use
Natural Lighting, Energy Efficient Appliances
•Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Waste Reduction, Avoid Disposable
Products, Borrow Instead of Buy
•Prepare for the Future: Monitor Personal and Environmental Health
•Spread the Word!!!!!
Source: http://www.epa.gov/climatestudents/solutions/actions/index.html