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GLOBAL ATMOSPHERIC PROBLEMS Global Climate Change Global Climate Change A hot topic ! Among most serious of environmental problems facing future generations Global Climate Change Often called “Global Warming” Often called the “Greenhouse Effect” Greenhouse Effect Atmospheric gases trap heat (infrared radiation) -- like glass in a greenhouse or glass in a parked car Greenhouse Effect VENUS Atmosphere = 90x more dense than Earth o Surface Temperature = +400 C Greenhouse Effect MARS Atmosphere = 0.01 as dense than Earth o Surface Temperature = -55 C Greenhouse Effect EARTH Atmosphere = just right o Surface Temperature = +14 C Greenhouse Effect Essential for life on Earth Without the greenhouse effect, the average temperature o would be –21 C -- below the freezing point of water Enhanced Greenhouse Effect Global Warming An enhanced greenhouse effect results in increased global temperatures Conclusive detection of global warming has been difficult due to natural fluctuations in temperature Global Warming Global Climate Change The global atmosphere is so vast How can human activities alter composition of the atmosphere ? Atmosphere Composition Nitrogen = 78 % Oxygen = 21 % Rare gases = 1% Atmosphere Composition Rare gases = 1% Includes: Argon, Neon, Helium, Krypton, Hydrogen, Radon, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Ozone, CFCs, and others Atmosphere Composition Carbon Dioxide Currently In 1900 = 0.0391 % or 391 ppm = 0.0300 % or 300 ppm Atmosphere Composition Carbon Dioxide Atmosphere Composition Carbon Dioxide Atmosphere Composition Carbon Dioxide Atmosphere Composition Carbon Dioxide Atmosphere Composition Carbon Dioxide Fossil Fuels Atmosphere Composition Carbon Dioxide Deforestation Atmosphere Composition Additional greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change include: CFCs methane nitrous oxide Greenhouse Gases Potential Adverse Effects Health Weather-related mortality Infectious diseases Increased air pollution Potential Adverse Effects Agriculture Crop yields Irrigation demands Shifts in agricultural areas Potential Adverse Effects Forests Change in forest composition Shift geographic range of forests Forest health and productivity Potential Adverse Effects Water Resources Changes in water supply Increased competition for water Impacts on aquatic ecosystems Acidification of oceans Potential Adverse Effects Coastal Areas Sea level rise Erosion of beaches Inundation of coastal lands Costs to protect coast lines Potential Adverse Effects Sea level rise Potential Adverse Effects Sea level rise Potential Adverse Effects Sea level rise Potential Adverse Effects Sea level rise Potential Adverse Effects Coastal Areas Sea level rise Erosion of beaches Inundation of coastal lands Costs to protect coast lines Potential Adverse Effects Species and Natural Areas Shifts in ecological zones Loss of habitat and species Potential Adverse Effects Precipitation and Storms Shifts in rainfall distribution Increased severe storms Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Established by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 www.ipcc.ch Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2,500 of the world’s leading climate scientists and technical experts Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Purpose – to assess the scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant for the understanding of human induced climate change, its potential impacts and options for mitigation and adaptation Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Issues an assessment report approximately every five years. The 4th Assessment Report was released in 2007. 2007 IPCC Conclusions Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average sea level. 2007 IPCC Conclusions Most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations. 2007 IPCC Conclusions Coping with climate change will require a mixture of mitigation and adaptation strategies. Mitigation – reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhance GHG sinks Adaptation – reduce vulnerability of human and natural systems against climate change effects 2007 IPCC Conclusions Coping with climate change will require a mixture of mitigation and adaptation strategies. Energy Supply Transportation Buildings Industry Agriculture Forestry Wastes Kyoto Agreement United Nations Convention on Climate Change Representatives from 166 countries met in 1997 in Kyoto to discuss reduction of greenhouse gas emissions Kyoto Agreement International Treaty on climate change The objective is the "stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system." Kyoto Agreement Treaty went into force in February, 2005. A total of 191 countries ratified the agreement. Kyoto Agreement The U.S., largest historic source of greenhouse gases in the world, did not agree to participate. Kyoto Agreement Kyoto Agreement was a first step and will soon expire Additional international meetings have been held to develop a new international treaty on climate change Additional Climate Change Meetings Since Kyoto Doha, Qatar 2012 Durban, South Africa 2011 Cancun, Mexico 2010 Copenhagen, Denmark 2009 Poznan, Poland 2008 Bali, Indonesia 2007 Nairobi, Kenya 2006 Montreal, Canada 2005 Buenos Aires, Argentina 2004 Milan, Italy 2003 New Dehli, India 2002 Marrakech, Morocco 2001 The Hague, Netherlands 2000 Bonn, Germany 1999 Buenos Aires, Argentina 1998 Current International Efforts Efforts are stalled to develop new, post-Kyoto international agreement to combat climate change MDCs vs. LDCs continue to disagree on emission cuts and funding Climate Change general agreement to try to hold the increase in global temperature to 2 degrees Celsius Deep cuts in emissions will be required to hold increase to o 2 C Climate Change Currently the U.S. does not have a clear policy on reducing greenhouse gas emissions No national goal for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions Climate Change World emissions of greenhouse gases must be cut 70-80% by 2050 The quality of life for future generations is at stake