Download Global Warming

“The World We Create”
NATS 101
Section 6
Next homework
available in D2L!
03/04
UNIT 2:
Global Warming,
Natural or Man-Made?
Some Data
The average
temperature in our
planet is increasing,
BUT it has happened
before.
Some Data
W/m2
oC
Solar activity has had a strong correlation with
Earth’s temperature, BUT not in present times.
Some Data
CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere always correlate
very strongly with the average temperature,
BUT CO2 increases tend to lag with respect to
T increases.
Some Data
CO2 is a minor component of the atmosphere,
BUT is a potent greenhouse gas involved in
many natural cycles in our planet.
Mini-Debate
Each team will split into two groups:
One group will support the position that human
actions are the main contributing factor to global
warming, while the other group will support the
position that the cause of global warming is due to
natural occurrences.
Use information you learned today in class to support
your arguments.
At the end of the debate, take a poll to
determine the overall team’s position
on this issue.
Effects?
Since the late 1800s, the average
temperature of Earth increased 0.4-0.8 oC
(that’s 0.7-1.4 oF)
Global
warming is
predicted to
have a major
impact on
climate and
life on Earth.
Global Climate Change
Effects of Global Warming
Climate
Is global warming affecting
hurricanes?
In your groups
interpret the data
provided and answer
the questions on the
worksheet.
You have 5 minutes
Extreme Weather
Hurricanes
Sand storms
Tornadoes
Glacial Melting
Scientists predict that if the
current rate of global
warming continues, the
Arctic could be ice-free in
the summer by 2040.
Rising global temperatures speed
the melting of glaciers and ice caps
Sea ice helps maintain the
cold temperatures of the
underlying water.
Ice extent has a strong
influence on Earth’s albedo.
This melting is one cause for
the rise in sea levels.
Current rise in sea level is 1.8mm per year.
Flooding
• Sea-level has risen
about 130 meters (400 ft)
since the peak of the
last ice age about 18,000
years ago.
• 50 million people worldwide
could become “environmental
refugees” by 2010, displaced
by rising sea levels, depleted
aquifers and intermittent river
flooding.
Wildfires
The snow is melting earlier in the year 
much longer fire seasons in Arizona.
Warmer temperatures promotes outbreaks of treeeating beetles which help fuel forest fires
Effects of Global Warming
Life: Biodiversity
The Predicament of the
Painted Turtle
In pairs interpret the graph and answer the
questions on the worksheet. Once you are
finished compare your data with the rest of
your group.
You have 5
minutes
Biodiversity
In general, biodiversity
decreases as
temperature increases
Ecosystems and Species
 Species that cannot adapt
go extinct.
 Antarctic penguin
populations have shrunk
by 33 percent
 In California, shoreline sea
life is shifting northward.
Arctic
Two-thirds of the
world's polar bear subpopulations will be
extinct by mid-century
due to Arctic ice cap
melting.
Tropics
Habitats drying out.
Tropical forests give off
more CO2 than they take
up.
Rise in CO2 changes
composition of the forest .
What
should
we do?
How do we make decisions?
Risk Assessment
The determination of quantitative or
qualitative value of risk related to a
concrete situation and a recognized
threat.
A tool to help make the best informed
decisions by weighing the pros and
cons
Why Assess Risk?
•Make the best informed decisions
•Understand potential consequences for each scenario
•Awareness of how to prepare for risks
•Realization of costs involved
Example: H1N1 Vaccine
H1N1 Facts
 The H1N1 is a pandemic flu virus.
 The people that should be vaccinated:
Children 6 months to 24 years old, anyone over 50
and pregnant women.
 The vaccine is 92% effective in pregnant women and
depending on the person, two shots may be required.
 The vaccine itself is free, but the provider charges an
administration fee.
 H1N1 is very contagious!
*Remember that you are a student that has limited time
and funds, and go to a school with almost 40,000
students. What could be some of the possible outcomes
for either getting or not getting the vaccination?
Climate Change: Risks?
How can you use “Risk Assessment” to make a
decision concerning what to support in the
debate about Global Climate Change?
To Keep in mind:
 Average temperatures are actually increasing;
 A majority of scientist think current climate
change is human induced. However, there many
people that disagree;
 Consequences of global climate change could be
devastating;
 Taking action could be very costly, particularly
for developing nations.
Global Climate Change:
Risk Assessment
Using your knowledge about global warming,
you need to complete a risk assessment which
clearly shows the consequences of taking
action or not taking action against global
warming.
Consider the political, social, economic, and
environmental aspects
You have
10 minutes
Global Climate Change:
Risk Assessment
Based on your completed risk assessment, what
will you decide and why?
What is the main factor influencing your
decision?
How might you follow through with this decision?
You have 3 minutes