Global Warming and Climate Change  hell button.gif (5911 bytes) (click button for more resources)

Important Publications/Movies



Colors of the Rainbow- The light spectrum. White light is composed of a mixture of colors from deep violet to red. Ultraviolet light is beyond the visible spectrum and is that part of sunlight that creates a sun burn.


Different chemicals absorb heat (or IR light) at varying efficiencies. Carbon dioxide, for example, absorbs IR light efficiently. Those chemicals that can absorb and hold heat have a potential for being "greenhouse gases".

Many of the greenhouse gasses are released into the atmosphere by anthropogenic means (cause by human activities). Coal-fired power plants and combustion of petroleum products are some of the biggest contributors. Note that some of the greenhouse gasses are necessary for life on earth (O2 and H2O). Without these, the earth would cool much too quickly. Even CO2 is necessary for proper heat-retention by the earth. However, if any of these chemicals increase above normal, the atmosphere begins to retain too much heat and warms the planet.

Most of the heat that warms the earth comes from the sun. Normally, the amount of heat added to the earth equals the amount of heat that leaves. In this way the earth neither cools down or heats up.

Greenhouse gasses, however, absorb the heat and hold it so that it doesn't escape into space. This causes the so-called "greenhouse" effect that is responsible for global warming and climate change.

Climate variability can be estimated from ice core examination, diatom growth rates, and other methods. The mean global temperature actually decreased from 1000 AD until the late 1800 (green regression line). However, a sharp increase is seen starting in the late 1800s. Just a 1°C increase in temperature translates to a change from 95°F to almost 97°F. Some climate models suggest that we may see a 5°C increase by the end of the century. This would change the 95°F to 104°F!

Starting in the mid 1800s, anthropogenic emissions of CO2 began to increase with rising industrialization. These emissions appear to be largely responsible for the rise in atmospheric CO2

.

Greenhouse gases are expected to increase in the foreseeable future, even with the most favorable forecasts. These increases are expected to force climate.

Sources and sinks for greenhouse gasses.


Projected Global Temperatures for Three Models (The Link to IPCC is here)

Although the best estimates suggest that earth's temperature will increase about 3°C, weather patterns and ocean currents will cause some areas to warm more than others. The above map shows expected increases from 1990 to 2070. Much of America's breadbasket will shift North to Canada.


Consequences of Global Warming


Annual Global Surface Mean Temperature Anomalies


Global Surface Sea Temperatures 1900 - 2000 (NOAA)


Glaciers are melting at an unprecedented rate.

Breakup of the Larsen B Ice Shelf February 15,1998 - March 18, 1999
Sequence of images:
February 15, 1998
March 23, 1998
November 20, 1998
February 21, 1999
March 18, 1999


Wilkins Ice Shelf crumbles week of March 30th 2009. More information is HERE (and here on site with animation)


Water World


Road hazards. New study (above) shows what a 122-cm rise in sea level would do to the Gulf Coast's major roads, already vulnerable to major storms such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005 (top).
 


Thawing of the Permafrost will release methane into the atmosphere, perhaps triggering run-away climate change. Permafrost melt will causes overlying ground to collapse, forming thermokarst lakes and ponds, and thaw slumps.  If the dead plants frozen in permafrost thaw and decompose, as much as one seventh of the earth's carbon will be released which will greatly increase global warming.


Changes in ice coverage 1979 - 2003 (More Ice Pictures)

2007: European Space Agency: Northwest Passage Opens

NEW! Ice-free Arctic Ocean Possible in 30 Years, Not 90 as Previously Estimated.

Arctic Melt Map


Known Methane Hydrate Locations


Future Arctic (New York Times 24 Oct 2005)


World-wide thermohaline currents


Mechanism of Normal Thermohaline Flow


Reduced Thermohaline Flow Caused By Global Warming


Global Warming will Generate More Intense Storms (NASA Storm Pix are here). An Active 2004 Atlantic Hurricane Season Likely (NOAA)


Soil Moisture Anomalies for 2004 AVI HERE (More Anomaly Maps are Here)
One third of the planet will be desert by 2100


Increased ocean an terrestrial temperatures are expected to increase cloud cover. More on cloud cover is here.

Change in Malaria Risk Assuming a 1.2˚ increase in Global Mean Temperature. Green areas are already at high risk and will not increase. Tropical Disease Reading


Distribution of global terrestrial vegetation


Global changes in Net Primary Productivity (NPP), a measure of plant biomass and growth from 1982 - 1999

Global Warming will Change Ecosystem Structure, Biodiversity, and Stability.