Download Climate Change – Powerpoint - Saskatchewan Environmental Society

Energy,
Greenhouse Gas
Emissions, and
Climate Change
“Warming of the climate system is
unequivocal (leaving no doubt)”
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) 2013
“Human influence on the climate system is
clear.”
IPCC 2013
• Weather is what it’s like out today, or this
week, or even this year
• Climate is the pattern of weather over
years
Shrinking
Glaciers
Athabasca Glacier
More powerful
storms
Hurricane Sandy 2012
Calgary 2013
More frequent
flooding
Melville 2014
Image:Government of Saskatchewan
Longer
droughts
Image: Janet Davidson CBC News
California 2014
More forest
fires
Canada 2012
More, hotter,
heat waves
Russia 2010
Climate Change in Saskatchewan
• more intensive rainfall - causes more frequent and more
serious flooding
• greater risk of more serious droughts
• loss of at least the southern part of the boreal forest
• reduced river flows … shrinking glaciers
Climate Change and Health
• Warmer, wetter weather increases smog production, mould,
pollen and fungal spores
• Milder winters reduce winter peak deaths
• Hotter summers increase summer heat related illnesses
and deaths
• Increase in vector borne diseases and food borne illnesses
CO2 + N2O + CH4 = CO2 equivalent
CO2 = Carbon Dioxide
N2O = Nitrous Oxide
CH4 = Methane
CO2
N2O
CH4
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
100 years!
Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
114 years!
Methane (CH4)
12 years!
Saskatchewan GHG Emissions
Source: Environment Canada National Inventory Report, 1990-2012
Electricity Generation
SaskPower 2013 Gross Electrical Energy Supplied
World level of CO2 1870
= 290 ppm
World level of CO2 2013
= 396 ppm
How fast is Saskatchewan emitting CO2 ?
• 1990 = 44 million tonnes/yr
• 2011 = 74 million tonnes/yr
If Saskatchewan were a country, we would have the
second highest per capita GHG emissions in the
world.
Action
Student Action for a Sustainable Future
• Conserve energy
• Conserve water
• Reduce waste
• Eat local
• Eat less meat
• Use active transportation