Notes: The Global Warming Issue Notes: The Global Warming Issue If you were gone, get a copy of the handout and then view the presentation. Take notes.

• Notes: The Global Warming Notes: The Global Warming IssueIssue• If you were gone, get a copy of the If you were gone, get a copy of the

handout and then view the presentation. handout and then view the presentation. Take notes on the handout as you do Take notes on the handout as you do this.this.

Notes on Handout: Global WarmingNotes on Handout: Global Warming

Compared to Ozone Issue

Global Warming is often referred to as . . .

• 1. Is the world getting warmer?1. Is the world getting warmer?• Overwhelming majority of scientists Overwhelming majority of scientists think it isthink it is..• EvidenceEvidence? ? • Increasing: Increasing: temperatures, humidity, sea leveltemperatures, humidity, sea level• Decreasing: Decreasing: sea ice, glaciers, snow coversea ice, glaciers, snow cover

Arctic Ice Cover Summer 1973Arctic Ice

Arctic Ice Cover Summer 2003Arctic Ice Is Melting

• 2. Why is the world getting warmer?2. Why is the world getting warmer?• Skeptics:Skeptics:• think it is a natural climate change. think it is a natural climate change. • Proponents:Proponents:• think it is caused by human activity. think it is caused by human activity.

(Greenhouse Theory)(Greenhouse Theory)

A. Greenhouse TheoryA. Greenhouse Theory(controversial)(controversial)

Burning Burning of fossil of fossil fuelsfuels

More COMore CO22

into airinto air(10-min of DVD)(10-min of DVD)

IncreasesIncreasesEarthEarth’’s s greenhousegreenhouseEffect Effect (cat in car)(cat in car)

WorldWorldgetsgetswarmerwarmer

COCO22

• Mercury: over 700 F to less than -300 FMercury: over 700 F to less than -300 F• Venus: average temp. is 900 F Venus: average temp. is 900 F

• Why is Venus hotter than Mercury?Why is Venus hotter than Mercury?

• Earth: average temp. is 59 FEarth: average temp. is 59 F• Mars: average temp. is -67Mars: average temp. is -67

B. Greenhouse Gases:B. Greenhouse Gases:

• Water vapor and cloudsWater vapor and clouds• #1 Greenhouse gas#1 Greenhouse gas• MethaneMethane• Swamps, permafrost, termites, Swamps, permafrost, termites, cowscows, coal , coal

mines, landfills, rice fieldsmines, landfills, rice fields• Carbon dioxide (Carbon dioxide (COCO22))• Burning of fossil fuelsBurning of fossil fuels• Cement productionCement production• DeforestationDeforestation

19751975 19891989 20012001

C. Fossil FuelsC. Fossil Fuels

• CoalCoal• Burned to generate electricityBurned to generate electricity

• Natural GasNatural Gas• Burned to heat homes and waterBurned to heat homes and water

• Oil (petroleum)Oil (petroleum)• Fuel for trains, planes, autos., etc.Fuel for trains, planes, autos., etc.

COCO22 levels were in balance for hundreds of years levels were in balance for hundreds of years prior to our Industrial Revolutionprior to our Industrial Revolution

Year

With the burning of fossil fuels, COWith the burning of fossil fuels, CO22 emissions emissions grew larger than removal.grew larger than removal.

AmericanChinese

(Biomass)

Near ColstripNear Colstrip

3. What will be the consequences of 3. What will be the consequences of climate change (controversial)climate change (controversial)

• Rising sea levelRising sea level• Ocean acidificationOcean acidification

3. What will be the consequences of 3. What will be the consequences of climate change (controversial)climate change (controversial)

• Rising sea levelRising sea level• Ocean acidificationOcean acidification• DesertificationDesertification• More frequent and more severe stormsMore frequent and more severe storms• Changes in water resourcesChanges in water resources• ExtinctionsExtinctions• More disease and infestationsMore disease and infestations

4. What should we do about it?4. What should we do about it?It’s very complicated!It’s very complicated!

• A. Cap carbon? Carbon tax?A. Cap carbon? Carbon tax?• Limit the amount of COLimit the amount of CO22 a nation or business can a nation or business can

emitemit• The problem with this?The problem with this?• Economic impactEconomic impact

B. Carbon Capture and SequestrationB. Carbon Capture and Sequestration•Collecting COCollecting CO22 emissions and storing them emissions and storing them undergroundunderground

C. Reduce your carbon footprintC. Reduce your carbon footprint•estimate of how much carbon your estimate of how much carbon your activities/lifestyle puts into the airactivities/lifestyle puts into the air