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The Science of Climate
The
Science
of
Climate
Source: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
American Chemical Society
www.acs.org/climatescience
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The Science of Climate
Is there evidence that Earth’s climate is changing?
What controls the Earth’s climate?
How are Earth’s climate controls changing?
What is responsible for these changes?
What is the future for Earth’s climate?
American Chemical Society
www.acs.org/climatescience
2
The Science of Climate
Evidence that Earth’s climate is changing
Winters are getting milder
Source: Wisconsin State Climatology Office
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
American Chemical Society
www.acs.org/climatescience
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The Science of Climate
Evidence that Earth’s climate is changing
Land and sea ice are disappearing
Grinnell Glacier, Glacier Nat'l Park, 1940
Source: NOAA
Grinnell Glacier, Glacier Nat'l Park, 2006
Source: NOAA
American Chemical Society
www.acs.org/climatescience
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The Science of Climate
Evidence that Earth’s climate is changing
Are extreme weather events—droughts, wildfires, storms, floods—
increasing?
Source: NASA
Source: ThinkStock
American Chemical Society
www.acs.org/climatescience
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Source: NOAA
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The Science of Climate
Earth’s climate controls
Energy balance: solar energy in = Earth radiant energy out
Source: American Chemical Society
American Chemical Society
www.acs.org/climatescience
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The Science of Climate
Earth’s climate controls
Energy balance: effect of atmospheric gases
Source: IPCC
American Chemical Society
www.acs.org/climatescience
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The Science of Climate
Earth’s climate controls have changed
Atmospheric carbon dioxide—past and present
Source: Robert A. Rohde, Wikimedia Commons
American Chemical Society
www.acs.org/climatescience
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The Science of Climate
Earth’s climate controls have changed
Effect on energy and temperature
Source: Skeptical Science
Source: Skeptical Science
American Chemical Society
www.acs.org/climatescience
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The Science of Climate
Cause of Earth’s climate changes
Mainly fossil fuel burning
Source: IPCC
Source: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial
Research Organisation (CSIRO)
American Chemical Society
www.acs.org/climatescience
10
The Science of Climate
Earth’s climate future
More of what we already observe
Source: Seathos
Source: Colorado University Sea Level Research Group
American Chemical Society
www.acs.org/climatescience
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The Science of Climate
Earth’s climate future is in your hands
Source: IPCC
American Chemical Society
www.acs.org/climatescience
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The Science of Climate
Earth’s climate future and you
Use the ACS Climate Science Toolkit, www.acs.org/climatescience, to
review or learn the basic concepts of climate science.
Expand your knowledge of climate science areas of special interest
with print and media resources.
Engage your friends and colleagues in deliberative discussion on the
science of global climate change.
Take advantage of opportunities to present the science of global
climate change for civic, religious, educational, and governmental
groups.
Take a public stand on the issues related to the undesired
consequences of climate change and the need for mitigation and
adaptation. Encourage and support your local and national
governmental representatives to do the same.
American Chemical Society
www.acs.org/climatescience
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