|
Climate Change
Memorie Yasuda TeacherTECH - January 24, 2006 |
|
Notes to accompany the presentation. Please note that some of the information and comments within these notes are not necessarily the views of experts, but are limited to my own general observations about the subject.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supporting Diagrams
1. There is an unusually high concentration of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere because of human activity. • Earthguide Powerpoint slides CO2 in the atmosphere since 1958-2004 at Mauna Loa, Hawaii CO2 in the atmosphere since 1992-2001 across latitudes CO2 in the atmosphere over the last ~400,000 years and relationship to temperature at Antarctica Extent of the last major glacial advance over North America • Data & source: CO2 in the atmosphere since 1958-2005 Includes data in Excel format. Includes link to original dataset and its description. Earthguide online data & books 2. Greenhouse gases work by trapping and retarding the escape of infrared energy radiated from the surface of the Earth out to space. The more greenhouse gas, the higher the near surface heat retention. • Earthguide Powerpoint slides Global energy budget - what happens to sunlight energy that lands on Earth - animated Electromagnetic spectrum Comparison of Sun and Earth spectra - animated 3. Is the Earth warming? Is the warming due to human activity and not just other temperature variation? • Earthguide Powerpoint slides Global annual mean surface air temperature change 1880-2004 Statement from EPA in 2000 TBA - Evidence of temperature being out of past range • Data & source: Global annual mean surface air temperature change 1880-2004 Includes link to original dataset and its description. Goddard Institute for Space Studies, NASA • Summary information: Global warming - Climate Basic information and summary of expected future conditions, from 2000. U.S. EPA 4. The Earth's carbon budget and the carbon cycle. • Earthguide Powerpoint slides Carbon cycle (animated diagram TBA) Carbon reservoirs - where and in what general form carbon exists around Earth Processes and rates of carbon transfer between reservoirs Processes that affect the concentration of key GHGs in the atmosphere reservoir 5. Biological processes that consume and produce carbon to the environment - photosysnthesis and its reverse decomposition/respiration. • Powerpoint slides Photosynthesis Respiration//decomposition Food web and energy cycling Density of life on the surface of the Earth Key marine primary producers • SeaWIFS Observing the Earth's primary productivity from space. Goddard Flight Center, NASA 6. Selected impacts of global warming • Powerpoint slides Listing of selected impacts Rising global sea level and coastal flooding Water availability Impact on coral reefs Increasing intensity of hurricanes • Summary information: Global warming - Impacts - Coastal Zones Basic information and summary of predictions for the future. U.S. EPA • Sustainable Living in Small Island Developing States Concerns of small island developing nation states such as the Maldives. UNESCO • World Fact Book Basic maps and information about all nations. What does it say about the maximum elevation of the Maldives? Map resources such as this can be found under the heading "Maps" on the right-hand side of Earthguide. CIA • Interview with scientist Tim Barnett - Study: global warming will diminish fresh water Earth & Sky • Impact on Water Supplies Scripps Institution of Oceanography Scripps scientists Tim Barnett and Jennifer Adam, and Dennis Lettenmaier of the University of Washington expect that global warming will cause more runoff as rain rather than snow, and that without more reservoir capacity to capture it, that water will be lost, unlike slower melting snow that rations itself out water over dry summers. Not only is more rain expected than snow, but the snow that falls is expected to melt earlier in the year. Much of the world relies on the slow release from the "cold storage" of glaciers to tide them over dry summers. Without ice, water shortages are expected in California as well as other parts of the world. • Interview with scientist Kerry Emanuel Earth & Sky • Position statements: "Anthropogenic Effects on Tropical Cyclone Activity" Home page Kerry Emanuel Hurricanes derive their energy from warm surface waters of the ocean. Until recently, scientists generally did not see evidence that hurricanes had become more numerous in response to warming sea surface temperature. However, MIT scientist Kerry Emanuel now thinks that "our warming climate is already turning out fiercer tropical storms." • Breakup of the Larsen Ice Shelf, Antarctica Satellite imagery. Earth Observatory, NASA • California Climate Change Portal Lots of links, ideas, resources. State of Calfornia • Global warming Lots of links, ideas, resources. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Complex but direct source of information about key international efforts. "The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been established by WMO and UNEP to assess scientific, technical and socio- economic information relevant for the understanding of climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation. It is open to all Members of the UN and of WMO." WMO and UNEP • Global Climate Change and California Section out of a book. Ideas on the kinds of impacts that people are thinking about for our state. Joseph B. Knox and Ann Foley Scheuring, editors; The University of California Press • NOVA - Sinking City of Venice NOVA program on PBS and accompanying website. Like New Orleand, Venice is sinking. In he face of rising sea level, what are the people of Venice doing? NOVA, PBS 7. How carbon-based fuels are used • Powerpoint slides U.S. International TBA Percentage of carbon-based fuels vs. alternative fuels TBA Past and present usage trends TBA • Energy Information Administration A wealth of useful graphs and information about energy usage in the U.S. Department of Energy • International Energy Statistics A wealth of useful graphs and information about energy usage in the U.S. International Energy Agency (IEA) 8. Carbon-based fossil fuels • Powerpoint slides U.S. International • Statistical Review of World Energy 2005 A wealth of useful graphs and information about energy usage in the U.S. British Petroleum (BP) 10. Energy used to generate electricity • Powerpoint slides U.S. International |
|
|
|
©2006 by Earthguide at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. |