Transcript Global Warming is Hot Stuff!

Global Warming is Hot Stuff!
Elaine Friebele
Jug Bay Wetlands Sancutary
You’ve probably heard about
Global Warming
Is it Real?
And also that our
Climate
is Changing
What is Climate Change?
What’s the Difference Between
Climate and Weather ?
Weather refers to the current atmospheric
conditions—the activity of precipitation,
wind, and temperature in a region over a
short period of time, such as hours or days.
Climate includes average weather—or the average
precipitation, wind and temperature in a region—
over relatively long periods of time (decades
through centuries).
Annual Mean Daily Maximum Temperature
Weather varies over the short term
Variation in Temperatures, Jan – Mar, 2005
compared to 45-year Average Temperature
Is this map evidence
for global warming?
Climate Change
Your grandparents may
talk of deep snows
decades ago.
Our Climate is Changing
Data shows that global surface air
o
temperatures rose 0.75 Celsius
o
(1.5 F) in the last century.
1995-2006:
11 of the 12 warmest years
since recordkeeping began
in 1850.
Our climate has changed over the past 150 years.
What happened after 1860?
In 1765, the steam engine, invented by James Watt, came into use. By
1830, people were burning coal to produce steam in factories,
locomotives, and ships. The burning coal released carbon dioxide.
In the early 1900s, gaspowered automobiles came
along. Burning gasoline added
more carbon dioxide to the
atmosphere.
The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the
atmosphere has increased
By the year 2100, CO2 levels could be double
what they are today if we don’t reduce the burning of fossil fuels!
The Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
There is more CO2 in the air now than there has been for the 800,000 years
of the ice core record.
Will it keep getting warmer?
Scientists predict that by the year 2100,
the average temperature of the Earth’s
atmosphere could be 4o C (7.5o F)
warmer.
How that would feel
in the summer?
Could we expect snow and
freezing temperatures in
the winter?
Global Warming affects the oceans
Greenland’s Ilulissat glacier
Warmer air is melting most of the world’s
glaciers. Water from the glaciers is
flowing into the sea.
Ocean
Arctic Sea Ice
Global Warming affects the oceans
 Water from melting glaciers raises sea level.
 Water also expands as it gets warmer.
Global average sea level has risen
10 – 20 cm (4 to 8 in) in the last century
California, Louisiana, and Maryland
are the states predicted to lose the most land
to sea level rise in the future.
Sea level is likely to rise 18 – 59 cm (8 in. to 2 feet)
by the year 2100.
Sea level rise in the Chesapeake Bay will be twice
the global average because the Bay itself is sinking
People living on islands will be forced
to find new places to live
Many people’s homes and workplaces in Manhattan would be
flooded by rising seas in the next century.
Humans won’t be the only ones affected
by climate change
•Polar bears live on sea ice,
where they hunt seals and
sea lions. They are unable to
hunt from the water.
• Arctic ice is melting much
earlier in the spring.
•Polar bears cannot hunt
enough food to build up body
fat to survive and feed their
cubs after they come ashore
in the spring to breed
Sea Level Rise
Wetlands will be destroyed by flooding and by salt
water flowing in from the oceans.
Wetlands will be destroyed
Wetland habitat for young
fish, crabs, frogs, and turtles
will decrease.
Wetland waterbirds will
have less food (SAV, or
submerged aquatic
vegetation) to eat
Fewer wetlands to soak up water
To control floods
To store our drinking water
Fewer wetlands to
filter our water
Sea Level Rise
Dermo, the disease that kills oysters, spreads
as the water becomes more salty (saline)
Global Warming
Eelgrass, a crucial habitat for young blue
crabs and fish, cannot grow in water warmer
than 27o C (80o F)
Higher temperatures raise the metabolism of cold-blooded animals,
causing them to need more oxygen
BUT…As water becomes warmer,
it holds less oxygen.
Striped Bass
Temperature Limit: 24o (76o F)
Low oxygen levels in the hot months (July – Sept)
cause this species to stop growing
Baby Red-bellied Turtles (top view)
Female Red-bellied Turtle
The gender of turtles and other
reptiles incubating inside eggs
in the ground is determined
by the temperature of the
surrounding soil.
With global warming, the ratio of male: female reptiles
may become skewed (mostly females, for example).
The Baltimore Oriole is living farther north
than before. In the future it may migrate
to the north and no longer be found
in Maryland.
Washington, D.C.’s cherry blossoms are blossoming
a week earlier than they did in the 1970s.
How can you help stop
Global Warming?
Replace light bulbs in your home with compact fluorescents
and cut energy use by 75%.
Wear a sweater
to keep warm
And turn down the thermostat
Turn off
electronic devices
Drive less
Bike or walk
when you can
Plant a tree!
Activities and Lessons
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Citizen Science
Calculate Carbon Footprint
Home and School Energy Surveys
Alternative Energy
Websites
Books
Games
Global Warming is Hot Stuff
(That we can do something about)
www.jugbay.org
[email protected]