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CLIMATE CHANGE
WHAT IT IS

WHAT WE CAN DO
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Daily Weather Map
Rainfall Trends (in CA):
One Element of
Climate Change
Source: Adapted from Jim Goodridge. “One Hundred Years of
Rainfall Trends in California.” in “Watershed Management
Council Networker.” Winter 1991.
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OBSERVED GLOBAL SURFACE
AIR TEMPERATURES
Source: Adapted from NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, New York
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HISTORICAL AND PROJECTED
FUTURE CO2 CONCENTRATIONS
Source: Based on IPCC (1995). Derived from ice-core measurements (Siple and South Pole)
and direct observation (Mauna Loa, Hawaii)
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GREENHOUSE EFFECT
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HUMAN ACTIVITIES CAN INTENSIFY
THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT
Transportation
Utilities
Industry
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POSSIBLE CLIMATE RESPONSE
Source: Adapted from a February 1997 briefing by Dan Albritton
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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EVIDENCE FOR GLOBAL WARMING
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INDICATORS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

1998 was the warmest
year ever recorded

1 degree Fahrenheit
temperature increase
over last century

Melting of glaciers
worldwide

Sea level has risen 410 inches over past
100 years
Source: Adapted from Office of Science and Technology Policy. October 1997.
Climate Change State of Knowledge
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SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS

The issue is real.

Some human-induced
climate change appears
inevitable.

Discernible “first signs”
are being seen now.

But exact predictions on
rates of change,
magnitude of change, and
impacts in different
regions are hard
to make.

Some human-induced
climate change would be
hard to reverse.
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POTENTIAL CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
Health
Climate Changes
Agriculture
Temperature
Forests
Precipitation
Water Resources
and Aquatic Life
Sea Level Rise
Coastal Areas
Species and Natural Areas
Source: Anne Grambsch (1998)
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AVERAGE ANNUAL EXCESS WEATHER-RELATED
MORTALITY FOR 1993, 2020 AND 2050 CLIMATE
1500
1250
1000
600
750
500
300
500
250
60
400
50
300
200
200
150
40
200
160
100
30
100
120
50
20
0
80
0
10
Los
Angeles
0
Phoenix
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
St. Louis
250
0
New York City
40
0
Atlanta
Dallas
1993
2020
2050
Sources: Kalkstein and Green (1997); Chestnut et al. (1995) Note: Includes both summer and winter mortality.
Assumes full acclimation to changed climate. Includes population growth.
GFDL Climate Change Scenario.
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PROJECTED CHANGES IN VEGETATION
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CHANGE IN WHEAT YIELD
Percent Change
-30 -20 -10 0 +10 +20+30>+30
+ 2.5oC
+ 7% Precipitation
530 ppmv CO2
Source: Rosenzweig, 1995
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EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS
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RISING SEAS, VANISHING SHORES
Circa 1920
1997
North Beach,
Maryland
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LOSS OF HABITAT FOR BROWN TROUT
FROM A DOUBLING OF CO2 - 2050
Not included
in analysis *
50-100% Loss
1-49% Loss
Source: EPA, 1995 * Dual screening criteria used for inclusion: 1) Thermal modeling predicts suitability and
2) Fish presence in 10% or more of State’s water bodies. GFDL Climate Change Scenario
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WHAT ARE RESPONSE OPTIONS
TO CLIMATE CHANGE?
Do Nothing
 Adapt
 Mitigate
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WHAT ARE SOME POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS
TO THE SLOWING OF GLOBAL WARMING?
Source: NOAA, 1995
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ACTIONS THAT STATES AND
LOCALITIES CAN TAKE

Inventory your state’s or
community’s greenhouse gas
emissions.

Develop a plan of cost-effective
actions to take.

Retrofit public facilities and
improve their operations to save
energy.

Purchase fuel-efficient vehicles for
state and municipal fleets.

Burn methane from landfills and
wastewater treatment plants to
generate electricity.

Plant trees.
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ACTIONS THAT HOMEOWNERS CAN TAKE

Reduce your utility bills by
purchasing energy-efficient
appliances, fixtures, and other
home equipment and
products.

Use low-flow faucets in your
showers and sinks.

Insulate all water pipes to
reduce heat loss.

Purchase “Green Power” for
your home’s electricity if
available from your utility.

Recycle aluminum cans, glass
bottles, plastic, cardboard,
and newspapers.

Carpool.
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ACTIONS THAT BUSINESSES CAN TAKE

Buy energy-efficient
computers, copiers,
printers, fax machines, and
other office equipment.

Convert to energy-efficient
lighting fixtures that can
help you use 40 percent
less energy for lighting.

Purchase reflective roofing
materials and insulation.

Recycle.

Supplement employee
public transportation.
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CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN (CCAP)
Methane Reduction
and Recovery
Industrial
Sector
Buildings
Voluntary
Programs
HFC, PFC, and
NOx Emissions
Energy
Sector
Transportation
Sector
Forestry
Sector
International,
State and
Local Programs
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FOR MORE INFORMATION




EPA’s State and Local Climate Change Program (for information on
mitigation and adaptation actions that states and communities can take)
Website: http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/ and click on “Public
Decision
Makers” under the “Visitors Center”
EPA/DOE ENERGY STAR® program (for information on buying ENERGY
STAR® equipment for municipal offices)
Tel: (888) 782-7937
Website: http://www.epa.gov/energystar.html
EPA/DOE Climate Wise (for information on cost-effective industrial
energy efficiency and pollution prevention actions)
Website: http://www.epa.gov/climatewise/
DOE’s Motor Challenge program (for information on energy-efficient
motors)
Tel: (800) 862-2086
Website: http://www.motor.doe.gov
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YOU CAN HELP STOP GLOBAL WARMING
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