Download Slideshow on Global Warming - Climate Change

Global Natural
Systems
Geography of Canada
www.CraigMarlatt.com/school
Global Natural Systems
1. Global Natural Systems
2. Biomes
3. Climate Change
The Ring of Fire
World Ocean Currents
Other Global Natural Systems
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Transboundary Air Pollution
Continental Shelves
Jet Stream
Natural Disasters
Biomes
• Biomes are large areas of the Earth that share
similar temperature, precipitation, food chains,
animals, and soils.
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Rainforest
Chapparal
Grassland
Savanna
Desert
Tundra
Deciduous Forest
Boreal or Taiga Forest
Biomes
Polar
Mid-Latitude
Sub-Tropical
Tropical
Biomes
Deserts of the World
Rainforests of the World
Climate Change
• Climate change is a change in the “average
weather” that a given region experiences
(remember that weather = temperature +
precipitation)
• Climate changes over the long term have many
implications for natural ecosystems
• Right now the climate change that we are
experiencing is a global warming which leads to
higher sea levels due to melting ice caps and
many other environmental problems
Climate Change
• So the Earth is getting warmer right now, but is it
a natural cycle or a man-made disaster?
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Temp
16°C
10 000 years
Time
Climate Change
• So global warming is happening, and it is a
natural cycle, BUT humans are making it
significantly worse than the natural cycle.
• Climate change is most noticeable by the recent
increase in the number and increase in strength
of major natural disasters (e.g., Hurricanes
Katrina, Rita, and Wilma in the Gulf of Mexico,
2005).
• But what is causing this rapid increase in global
warming?
Climate Change
Climate Change
• What can be done to reduce the effects of climate
change?
– Implement the Kyoto Protocol on Greenhouse Gas
Emissions which is reducing emissions of gases that
speed up the Greenhouse Effect
– Specifically:
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Governments – setting guidelines for people to follow
Business – becoming more environmentally friendly
Schools – teaching students about living responsibly
Individuals – take the “One Tonne Challenge” to use less
energy, conserve water and resources, and to reduce waste
Climate Change
• Remembering all of
your energy saving
ways from the
Economic
Geography unit?
• e.g., Individuals can
buy energy-efficient
appliances.