* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download What is CLIMATE?
Climate change denial wikipedia , lookup
Climate change adaptation wikipedia , lookup
2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference wikipedia , lookup
Heaven and Earth (book) wikipedia , lookup
Instrumental temperature record wikipedia , lookup
Economics of global warming wikipedia , lookup
Climate change in Tuvalu wikipedia , lookup
General circulation model wikipedia , lookup
Fred Singer wikipedia , lookup
Media coverage of global warming wikipedia , lookup
Climate sensitivity wikipedia , lookup
Climate change and agriculture wikipedia , lookup
Global warming wikipedia , lookup
Effects of global warming on humans wikipedia , lookup
Scientific opinion on climate change wikipedia , lookup
Effects of global warming on human health wikipedia , lookup
Climate change in Canada wikipedia , lookup
Public opinion on global warming wikipedia , lookup
Low-carbon economy wikipedia , lookup
Mitigation of global warming in Australia wikipedia , lookup
Reforestation wikipedia , lookup
Climate governance wikipedia , lookup
Attribution of recent climate change wikipedia , lookup
Climate-friendly gardening wikipedia , lookup
Climate change, industry and society wikipedia , lookup
Climate engineering wikipedia , lookup
Effects of global warming on Australia wikipedia , lookup
Surveys of scientists' views on climate change wikipedia , lookup
Climate change and poverty wikipedia , lookup
Climate change in the United States wikipedia , lookup
Carbon governance in England wikipedia , lookup
Politics of global warming wikipedia , lookup
Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme wikipedia , lookup
Biosequestration wikipedia , lookup
Solar radiation management wikipedia , lookup
Climate change feedback wikipedia , lookup
IPCC Fourth Assessment Report wikipedia , lookup
BIRDDAY.ORG Canaries in the Coal Mine • Birds have long been indicators of the health of our environment. For many years, coal miners took canaries in cages deep into the pits. When a canary showed any signs of stress, the miners knew they needed to get out! Photo contributed by www.robirda.com Signs of a Changing Climate Forest Fires A warmer climate is causing fires to be larger and hotter, burning more habitat more often. Signs of a Changing Climate Shrinking Glaciers Most glaciers are shrinking, causing lakes to form and sea levels to rise. Signs of a Changing Climate Intense Weather Heat waves, windstorms, hurricanes, floods, and drought damage habitat. Signs of a Changing Climate Melting Ice Ice at the earth’s poles is melting. What is CLIMATE? Climate is the average weather in a place over many years. Weather can change in just a few minutes, but climate takes years to change. Why is Climate Changing? The Carbon Timeline A long, long time ago, volcanoes spewed steam, ammonia, methane, and CARBON DIOXIDE. Why is Climate Changing? The Carbon Timeline The CARBON in Carbon Dioxide became part of the rocks, swamps, and atmosphere over 4 million years ago. Why is Climate Changing? The Carbon Timeline Today, CARBON is found in lots of things: Diamonds - the hardest substance on earth Pencils - the soft, dark center, also known as graphite Why is Climate Changing? The Carbon Timeline CARBON is still a part of our atmosphere in the form of CARBON DIOXIDE. Carbon Dioxide Molecule Why is Climate Changing? The Carbon Timeline Water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, and CARBON DIOXIDE are a group of molecules known as Greenhouse Gases. Why is Climate Changing? The Carbon Timeline Greenhouse gases absorb the sun’s heat, making Earth warm enough for life. But too many greenhouse gases can cause Earth’s temperature to rise! Over the last 50 years, the earth’s temperature has risen an estimated 1oF (0.6oC). Why is Climate Changing? Almost everything we do emits carbon. As human activities increase, the more carbon and other greenhouse gase we add to the atmosphere….warming our climate. Birds in a Changing Climate Migration Climate change can affect migration. • Timing of departure • Timing of arrival Barn Swallows are arriving on breeding grounds as many as 14 days early. Birds in a Changing Climate Range As temperatures warm, some migratory birds are nesting as many as 60 miles (100 km) farther north today. Yellow Warbler at nest. Birds in a Changing Climate Range Some birds may have a more restricted range. In parts of southern Canada, Gray Jay populations have declined as much as 60%. Scientists suspect that this species’ food caches are rotting, and adults don’t have enough food to feed their young. Birds in a Changing Climate Food Temperatures aren’t just warming on land. Oceans are warming too, affecting the foods that seabirds eat. Cassin’s Auklets abandoned their eggs for the first time in 30 years. The birds may not have had sufficient food, because of warming ocean temperatures and changes in currents. Birds in a Changing Climate Food On land, plants and insects are flowering and hatching earlier. Scientists worry that migratory birds may arrive too late, missing important food resources. Blackpoll Warblers eats mosquitoes, ants, aphids, spiders, and beetles. Birds in a Changing Climate Habitat Birds depend on their habitats to survive. A changing climate is already affecting habitats. Some habitats are more vulnerable than others. Birds in a Changing Climate Habitat ~ Prairie Pothole The Prairie Pothole Region is called a “duck factory” because it is used by thousands of nesting ducks. Droughts and warmer, drier weather could cause much of this wetland to disappear through evaporation. Birds in a Changing Climate Habitat ~ Boreal Forest The Boreal Forest is the world’s largest forest habitat, covering 15% of the Earth’s land surface below the Arctic Circle in Alaska, Canada, Siberia, and Europe. Logging and other types of development release carbon stored in trees and soil, making climate change worse. Birds in a Changing Climate Habitat ~ Mangrove Forests Mangroves are known as the “rainforests of the sea,” because of the diverse wildlife that use them. Rising sea levels, floods, and more intense hurricanes will have an affect on mangrove survival. Birds in a Changing Climate Habitat ~ Oceans Oceans cover 71% of the Earth, forming the largest habitat. Oceans are warming and becoming more acidic, affecting the delicate balance of marine plants and animals. Birds in a Changing Climate Habitat ~ The Sahel The Sahel is a scrubby zone located just south of The Sahara, the world’s largest hot desert. What’s Your Carbon Footprint? A Carbon Footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide a person contributes to the atmosphere. The Average CO2 produced by the average person per year. United States 44,000 pounds Canada 30,800 pounds United Kingdom 21,560 pounds Mexico 9,240 pounds Kenya 570 pounds Reducing Your Carbon Footprint 4 Simple Ways 1. Switch from standard light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs will lower your energy bill and emit one third the carbon. Reducing Your Carbon Footprint 2. Carpool, take The bus, walk, or ride your bike. Every mile you drive emits 1 pound of carbon. Reducing Your Carbon Footprint 3. Turn off the T.V. and even better, unplug it! Electronics still draw power when they are plugged in. How much carbon do you emit watching t.v.? Do the math! Number of hours per week x 33 = pounds of carbon. Reducing Your Carbon Footprint 4. Recycle, compost, and buy products with less packaging. Each pound of solid waste contributes 1.5 pounds of greenhouse gases. Get Involved! It’s for the Birds! Add Your Information!