Climate Change Presentation
Dec 22, 2015
Overview
Climate Change• The Science• The Lingo• The Effects and Impacts• The Myths
Sustainability• Energy• Transportation• Lifestyles• Communities
The Science of Climate Change
• Climate or Weather?
• Climate Change or Global Warming?
• The Carbon Cycle
The Science of Climate Change
• Anthropogenic Perturbation
• Inertia
• The evidence
salegos-scar.montana.edu
Important Dates
• 1990 – Kyoto Base Year
• 2005 – Now
• 2012 – 1st Kyoto Period
• 2025 – Positive Feedback
• 2040 – Polar Bears Extinct
• 2050 – 1/3 Species Loss
• 2100 – Doubling year http://www.defenders.org
From the Canadian Centre for Climate Modeling and Analysis
Canadian Global Coupled Model, 1st version (CGCM1)
Effects and Impacts
• The agriculture base
• Health
• Infrastructure
• Disasters and extreme weather events
• Extinction of Species
• Poverty & Conflict
Popular Myths
• Emissions reduction as economic hardship
• Climate change as natural phenomena
• Lack of scientific consensus
• Protection from impacts of climate change
• Insignificance of personal action
Sustainable Energy
• Energy Efficiency / Reducing Consumption
• Renewable generation (forever fuels)– solar, wind, hydro, tidal, geo-thermal, food.
www.opg.com wind.scruss.com
Sustainable Energy
• The hydrogen economy– possibilities– challenges
wwfindochina.org ballard.com
stuartenergy.com
Sustainable Transportation
• Alternative automobile use– Carpooling– Pay as you go:
• Car sharing
• Renting
• Taxis
– Idling reduction– Hybrids, ZEVs
webwombat.com.au
Sustainable Transportation
• Climate-friendly commuting
• Breakfast as fuel: people power
• Mass transportation
• Going Car-free
ttc.ca511.org
Sustainable Lifestyles
• Learning more• Energy choices• Transportation choices• Purchasing choices: whole product life• Setting an example, spreading knowledge• Contributing to larger change
– Your time– Your money– Your vote
Not Sustainable Communities
davidsuzuki.org
Sustainable Communities
• Empower Sustainable Living
• Renewable Energy Sources
• Sustainable Transportation Choices
• Livable Density
Discussion
• What role can I play?
• How fast can we change our ways?
• Who has the power to change things?
• Further questions…