Physical Effects of Climate Change

Effects of Climate Change in the Atmosphere

Heat Waves Drought Wildfires Storms Floods

http://www.kidsgeo.com/images/earths-atmosphere.jpg

Heat Waveshttp://thegoddessblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/heat-wave.png

http://www.global-greenhouse-warming.com/images/JUN07southEuropeHeat.jpg

Extreme Heat Alerts often involve hot humid smoggy air These result in increased use of air conditioning and in

wildfires, both actions that increase greenhouse gases Warm air warms the surface of the planet, leading to

thawing of ice and previously permanently frozen soil (permafrost)

Droughthttp://thecalloftheland.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/drought.jpg

http://www.ethioguardian.com/e107_images/newspost_images/hunger_ethiopia.jpg

Most severe near deserts Seasonal rains have stopped People are unable to grow food – increased famineEx. Ethiopia

Wildfireshttp://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/wildfire-blm4.jpg

When weather is hot and dry for a long time trees become dry and lose their leaves

Probability of wildfires increase

Frequency of wildfires is increasing globally

Storms The rapid increase in global temperature has caused

changes in the frequency and severity of storms

Floodshttp://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/images/image002-E.gif

When air temperatures rise rapidly in the spring,snow can melt too quickly for rivers and streams to handle

These seasonal floods are becoming more frequent

Effects of Climate Change in the Hydrosphere

http://sos.noaa.gov/images/fullsize/Ocean/seacurrents.jpg

Melting Ice Ocean Warming Ocean Currents

Melting Ice 1http://save-environment.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/melting-ice-polar-bear.jpg

As the average global temperature increases, the Earth’s ice (sea and glacier) is melting

The average level of the world’s oceans has increased by about 20 cm in the last 100 years

Melting Ice 2http://climateprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/greenland_ice_melting.jpg

Melting ice can affect the Earth by:

Flooding land that is currently just above sea level

Changing habitats of shoreline plants, animals and micro-organisms

Causing loss of property Changing geographic

coastlines and shapes of continental coasts

Reducing the amount of fresh water available to communities

Melting Ice 3

Ocean Warming1

The impact of rising temperatures on oceans is less obvious than those on land

Water warms up more slowly

The average ocean temperature has increased by approx. 0.6 ºC in the last 100 years

Ocean Warming2http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Projected-sea-level-rise.gif

As the water warms it expands so warmer oceans mean higher sea levels

This leads to loss of coastal land

Ocean Warming3http://www.nature.com/climate/2007/0708/images/climate.2007.35-i3.jpg

Warmer water absorbs less carbon dioxide so is less effective as a carbon sink

Ocean Warming4http://i.livescience.com/images/ig29_phytoplankton_02.jpg

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/mrri/acechar/image/photos/phyto.jpg

Warmer water is not

ideal for phytoplankton growth

Phytoplankton photosynthesize and are an important carbon sink

Warm oceans mean fewer phytoplankton

Ocean Warming5http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID23333/images/hurricane_fran_nasa.jpg

http://www.companysj.com/v244/cuban-hurricane.jpg

Warmer water produces more intense hurricanes

Ocean Currents1

Ocean Currents2

Melting ice and warming oceans can change the flow of ocean currents As ice melts it adds fresh water to the oceans Fresh water is less dense than salt water The change of salinity affects the mechanisms that drive currents The North Atlantic deep-water current could slow down to about half its

present speed

Effects of Climate Change on Wildlife

http://www.colorado-video.com/observerapps_files/wildlife.jpg

Range Shifts Threatened Species Benefits (?)

Range Shiftshttp://news.medill.northwestern.edu/uploadedImages/News/Chicago/Images/Urban/HUGHES_BIRDS_031809.jpg

EX. In February, the Audubon Society released an analysis of data compiled over almost half a century that they say suggests that a slow, northbound shift of wintering grounds for almost every type of North American bird was directly linked to global warming.

Threatened Specieshttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/25/science/25frog.html?_r=1

The change in climate will force many organisms to adapt, migrate or become extinct

Between 40 – 70 % of all species are at risk of extinction if the global average temperature increases by only 3.3 ºC

Organisms that benefit from Climate Change

http://news.mongabay.com/2009/0525-starfish.htmlhttp://imagess3.enature.com/seashore/seashore_l/sc0082_1l.jpg

EX. A new study identifies starfish as one of the possible winners from rising ocean temperatures and carbon dioxide concentrations.

Increased temperature and acidity will significantly boost the echinoderm's (Pisaster ochraceus, a species of sea star) growth rate

The Endhttp://www.solcomhouse.com/images/Global_Warming.gif