Climate Change & Clean Up
“Climate change is with us. A decade ago, it was conjecture. Now the future is unfolding before our eyes. Canada's Inuit see it in disappearing Arctic ice and permafrost. The shantytown dwellers of Latin America and Southern Asia see it in lethal storms and floods. Europeans see it in disappearing glaciers, forest fires and fatal heat waves.”
Examples of Climate Change
1. Canada- Arctic Circle is disappearing and permafrost.
2. Latin America, Southern Asia- floods and destructive storms.
3. Europe- disappearance of Glaciers, forest fires, and extreme heat waves.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn9903-instant-expert-climate-change.html#.VEEVIGddWSo
Summary / Paraphrase /Reaction/Description Quote
Climate Change & Clean Up Quote- Climatologists reporting for
the UN Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) say we are
seeing global warming caused by
human activitiesand there
are growing fears of feedbacks that
will accelerate this warming.
Climatologists report that
global warming is caused
by human activity.
According to my dad,
when he was a kid the
winters had lots of
snowfall, no lightning, and
there were rarely any hail
storms.
1997 Kyoto Protocol
Quote-At the Earth Summit in
1992, the world agreed to prevent
"dangerous" climate change. The
first step was the 1997 Kyoto
Protocol, which finally came into
force during 2005. It will bring
modest emission reductions from
industrialised countries. But many
observers say deeper cuts are
needed and developing nations,
which have large and growing
populations, will one day have to
join in.
What- First step taken in order to
prevent climate change.
When- Started to be used in 2005.
Why- To prevent major climate
changes.
How this impacts us- The
protocol brought emission
reductions from bigger industry
countries which helps makes the
air that we breathe cleaner.
What is Climate Change?
Quote- Climate change is one
of the biggest issues facing the
world today. 'Climate change
refers to a change of climate
which is attributed directly or
indirectly to human activity
that alters the composition of
the global atmosphere and
which is in addition to natural
climate variability observed
over comparable time periods.'
- United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate
Change
• Biggest issue the world faces
today.
• Change of climate from human
activity that affects the
atmosphere over a long period
of time.
http://www.cleanup.org.au/au/CleanUpOurClimate/cli
mateissues.html
What causes it? Quote- Global warming is the
increased heat trapped in the
earth's atmosphere resulting from
excess greenhouse gases such as
Carbon Dioxide (CO2). These
naturally occurring gases
including Methane (CH4) &
Nitrous Oxide (N20) form a
layer in the atmosphere
reflecting the sun's rays back
down to the earth. These gases
are exacerbated in the
atmosphere by fossil fuel use for
energy (ie. coal and oil) and the
alteration to our natural
landscape. This has an unnatural
warming effect on our fragile
environment.
Caused by the high amounts of
heat trapped in the atmosphere
which causes greenhouse gases
to form a layer in the
atmosphere that allows the
sun’s rays to reflect down on
Earth.
How do we know it’s happening?
Quote- Global sea level rose about 17 centimeters (6.7 inches) in the last century. The rate in
the last decade, however, is nearly double that of the last century. All three major global
surface temperature reconstructions show that Earth has warmed since 1880.5 Most of this
warming has occurred since the 1970s, with the 20 warmest years having occurred since
1981 and with all 10 of the warmest years occurring in the past 12 years.6Even though the
2000s witnessed a solar output decline resulting in an unusually deep solar minimum in
2007-2009, surface temperatures continue to increase. The oceans have absorbed much of
this increased heat, with the top 700 meters (The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets have
decreased in mass. Data from NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment show
Greenland lost 150 to 250 cubic kilometers (36 to 60 cubic miles) of ice per year between
2002 and 2006, while Antarctica lost about 152 cubic kilometers (36 cubic miles) of ice
between 2002 and 2005.about 2,300 feet) of ocean showing warming of 0.302 degrees
Fahrenheit since 1969. Both the extent and thickness of Arctic sea ice has declined rapidly
over the last several decades.
Source- http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
More Quote
How do we know it’s happening? Quote cont.- Glaciers are retreating almost
everywhere around the world — including in the
Alps, Himalayas, Andes, Rockies, Alaska and Africa.
The number of record high temperature events in the
United States has been increasing, while the number
of record low temperature events has been
decreasing, since 1950. The U.S. has also witnessed
increasing numbers of intense rainfall events. Since
the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the acidity
of surface ocean waters has increased by about 30
percent. This increase is the result of humans
emitting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
and hence more being absorbed into the oceans. The
amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the upper
layer of the oceans is increasing by about 2 billion
tons per year. Satellite observations reveal that the
amount of spring snow cover in the Northern
Hemisphere has decreased over the past five decades
and that the snow is melting earlier.
• Rise of sea level
• Rise of global
temperature
• Warming oceans
• Ice sheets shrinking
• Arctic Sea ice
declining
• Glacial retreat
• Extreme events
• Ocean acidification
• Decreased snow
cover
What are the effects? Quote- Just a few
degrees increase in the
earth's temperature can
cause droughts and
crop failures,
ecosystem imbalances,
as well as melting ice
caps causing sea levels
to rise.
Effects
1. Droughts
2. Crop failures
3. Ecosystem imbalances
4. Melting ice caps (rise
of sea level)
http://www.cleanup.org.au/au/Clea
nUpOurClimate/climateissues.html
What can we expect? Quote- The best estimates by the
CSIRO predict annual warming
over Australia by 2030 (relative
to 1990) to be ~1°C.(Climate
Change in Australia CSIRO
Report)WWF's report
‘Australia's Inconvenient Truth'
suggests just a 1-2°C increase in
temperature will devastate 60-
80% of the Great Barrier Reef
and eliminate 100% of Acacia
species in SW Australia. Further
increases having an effect on
agricultural production,
catchment water flows, habitat
degradation and species loss.
(Australia's Inconvenient Truth
WWF)
There is a prediction of an increase
in temperatures in Australia by 2030.
This increase could ruin 60-80% of
the Great Barrier Reef and 100% of
Acacia species.
World Climate Zones
Quote- Climate is the characteristic
condition of the atmosphere near
the earth's surface at a certain place
on earth. It is the long-term
weather of that area (at least 30
years). This includes the region's
general pattern of weather
conditions, seasons and weather
extremes like hurricanes, droughts,
or rainy periods. Two of the most
important factors determining an
area's climate are air temperature
and precipitation.
Climate- characteristic condition of the
atmosphere near the earth’s surface at a
certain place.
2 Important Factors
1. Air temperature- places
that are closer to the
Equator are going to have
a higher air temperature.
2. Precipitation- amount of
rainfall a climate zone has.
Source-
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/c
limate.htm
Does the climate of a region determine the makeup of an area?
Quote- World biomes
are controlled by
climate. The climate of
a region will determine
what plants will grow
there, and what animals
will inhabit it. All three
components, climate,
plants and animals are
interwoven to create the
fabric of a biome.
Yes, the climate of a region will
determine the plants that grow
there and the animals that live in
the area.
Weather Quote- The weather is
all around us, all the
time. It is an important
part of our lives and
one that we cannot
control. Instead the
weather often controls
how and where we
live, what we do, what
we wear and what we
eat. Weather is the day-
to-day conditions of a
particular place.
Weather- day to day conditions
of a specific location.
http://www.econet.org.uk/weather/whatis.html
Biome Quote- Scientists discuss
some general ecosystem
types. They call them biomes.
A biome is a large area on the
Earth's surface that is defined
by the types of animals and
plants living there. A biome
can be partially defined by
the local climate patterns.
You may also have more than
one type of biome within a
larger climate zone.
Source-
http://www.geography4kids.com/files/land_ecosystem.html
Biome- area on Earth that is
defined by the types of animals
and plants living there.
Wladimir Koppen Quote- The Köppen system recognizes five major climate types
based on the annual and monthly averages of temperature and
precipitation. Each type is designated by a capital letter. A -
Moist Tropical Climates are known for their high temperatures
year round and for their large amount of year round rain.B -
Dry Climates are characterized by little rain and a huge daily
temperature range. Two subgroups, S - semiarid or steppe,
and W - arid or desert, are used with the B climates - In Humid
Middle Latitude Climates land/water differences play a large
part. These climates have warm, dry summers and cool, wet
winters.D - Continental Climates can be found in the interior
regions of large land masses. Total precipitation is not very
high and seasonal temperatures vary widely - Cold Climates
describe this climate type perfectly. These climates are part of
areas where permanent ice and tundra are always present. Only
about four months of the year have above freezing
temperatures.
Source- http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/climate.htm
Wladimir Koppen
Wladimir Koppen cont..
5 major climate types
recognized by Koppen
Humid Middle Latitude
•Land/water differences play a
huge part.
•Warm, dry summers.
•Cool, wet winters.
Continental
•Found in interior regions of large
land masses.
•Not a lot of rainfall.
•Season temperatures vary widely.
Cold
•Permanent ice and tundra.
•4 months have temperatures above
freezing.
Moist Tropical
•Known for their high
temperatures all year long.
•Large amount of rain
yearly.
Dry
•Little rain.
•Daily temperature range.
•Two subgroups- semiarid/steppe and
arid/desert.
Rainforest Location Quote- The tropical rain
forest can be found in three
major geographical areas
around the world. Central
America in the the Amazon
river basin.Africa - Zaire
basin, with a small area in
West Africa; also eastern
Madagascar. Indo-Malaysia -
west coast of India, Assam,
Southeast Asia, New Guinea
and Queensland, Australia.
Rainforest climate is located
in Central America, Africa,
and indo-Malaysia.
Rainforest Plants Quote- The coconut
grows in rainforests
and other tropical of
climates. The
bougainvillea plant
grows in the biome
of the Amazon
rainforest in South
America. The
Bambusa tulda can
be found in the
biome of the
Southeast Asian
rainforest.
Few examples of rainforest
plants are Coconut Trees,
Bougainvillea Plant, and Bengal
Bamboo.
Rainforest Animals Quote- Chimpanzees are
about 3 to 5 feet tall and
weigh from 99 to 176
pounds. The Linn's sloth is
a very gentle animal. The
Toco Toucan is the largest
of the toucans. The Bengal
Tiger is a beautiful animal.
Fifty degrees North to
fifteen degrees South, and
thirty-five degrees to sixty-
five degrees in the Amazon
Rainforest lives a mammal
called the kinkajou.
Examples of rainforest
animals are Chimpanzees,
Linn's Sloth, Toco Toucan,
Bengal Tiger, and Kinkajou.
Rainforest Climate In an average year in a
tropical rain forest, the
climate is very humid
because of all the rainfall,
which amounts to about
250 cm per year. The rain
forest has lots of rain
because it is very hot and
wet. This climate is found
near the equator. That
means that there is more
direct sunlight hitting the
land and sea there than
anywhere else.
Climate of the rainforest is very
humid due to the amount of
rainfall. Since the rainforest is
near the equator , there are more
sunlight rays are hitting the land.
Savanna Location Quote- There are several
different types of savannas
around the world. The savannas
we are most familiar with are the
East African savannas covered
with acacia trees. South America
also has savannas, but there are
very few species that exist only
on this savanna. In Brazil,
Colombia, and Venezuela,
savannas occupy some 2.5
million square kilometers, an
area about one-quarter the size of
Canada. There is also a savanna
in northern Australia.
Savanna climate region is
located in eastern Africa,
Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela,
and northern Australia
Savanna Plants Quote- Candelabra trees
are found near the
equator and in the East
Indies and Africa. The
Jackalberry tree is
found throughout
Africa, from Senegal
and the Sudan to
Mamibia and the
northern Transvaal. The
whistling thorn is an
acacia tree commonly
seen on the savannas of
equatorial East Africa,
particularly the
Serengeti plain.
Examples of plants of the savanna
include Candelabra Trees, Jackalberry
Trees, and Whistling Thorn.
Savanna Animals
Quote- The Egyptian mongoose
is the largest of all mongooses in
Africa. The koala has rough
paws that act as traction so they
don't slip and fall off the trees
while hurrying away from
predators that lurk beneath the
trees. The African wild dog lives
in grasslands, savannas, and
open woodlands of eastern and
southern Africa. The Nile
Crocodile can grow to be five
meters long. The zebra is the
horse of the savanna.
The animals of the savanna
include the Egyptian Mongoose,
Koala, African wild dog, Nile
Crocodile, and Zebra.
Savanna Climate
Quote- The Savanna biome has
a wet/dry climate. Its Köppen
climate group is Aw.
The Astands for a tropical
climate, and the wfor a dry
season in the winter.In the
savanna climate there is a
distinct dry season, which is in
the winter. Savannas get all their
rain in the summer months.
During the distinct dry season of
a savanna, most of the plants
shrivel up and die. Some rivers
and streams dry up. Most of the
animals migrate to find food.
Savanna climate is a
wet/dry climate. There is a
distinct dry season-winter.
Rain fall is during the
summer months.
Desert Location
Quote- Deserts cover
about one fifth of the
Earth's land surface.
Most Hot and Dry
Deserts are near the
Tropic of Cancer or
the Tropic of
Capricorn. Cold
Deserts are near the
Arctic part of the
world.
Dry deserts are located by the
Tropic of Cancer or Capricorn.
Cold deserts are near the Arctic.
Desert Plants Quote- From a distance the
jumping cholla, or teddy bear
cholla, looks like a fuzzy, soft
plant with many short, fuzzy
branches looking like
teddybear arms, growing from
the top. The Joshua Tree got
its name from the Mormon
pioneers who thought the tree
reminded them of Joshua,
from the old testament of the
Bible, a prophet who was
waving them on to the
Promised Land. The chain
fruit cholla looks as much like
a tree in the desert as a cactus
possibly can.
Examples of desert plants are the
Jumping Cholla, Joshua Tree, and
the Chain Fruit Cholla.
Desert Animals
Quote- The kangaroo rat is a
very cute little critter that kind
of looks like a mini kangaroo,
but is as big as a mouse. The
strangest of lizards is the
Thorny Devil. The Coyote has
a tan coat mixed with hairs of
rusty brown and gray, and the
ends of the hair may be
black. The Desert Tortoises is
a land dwelling turtle
belonging to the Testudinidae
family. For a tiny bird, the
cactus ferruginous pygmy-
owl has a very long name.
Examples of desert animals are
the Kangaroo Rat, Thorny Devil,
Coyote, Desert Tortoise, and
Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-owl.
Desert Climate Quote- The dry desert is in
Köppen's BWh climate
category. It is a Low
Latitude climate.
The Bstands for Dry
Desert climates. All
months have average
temperatures over 64° F
(18° C). The Wstands for
desert climate. Finally,
the hstands for dry and hot,
with average annual
temperatures over 64° F
(18° C). I guess they're
trying to tell us its hot, hot
out there.
Desert Climate is very hot with
average temperatures over 65°.
Steppe Location
Quote- The Steppe biome is
a dry, cold, grassland that is
found in all of the continents
except Australia and
Antarctica. It is mostly
found in the USA,
Mongolia, Siberia, Tibet and
China. There isn't much
humidity in the air because
Steppe is located away from
the ocean and close to
mountain barriers.
The Steppe biome is usually
found between the desert
and the forest.
Located in all continents
except Australia and
Antarctica. It’s also located
away from the ocean and close
to mountain barriers, between
deserts and forests.
Steppe Plants
Quote- Milkvetch is a
perennial found
throughout northern and
southwestern China and
northern North America.
Rhubarb is a member of
the sorrel family, and
grows in the wild in
western and northwestern
provinces of China. The
tumbleweed stood for
everything a cowboy
was; a little ugly, lanky,
and a foot loose rambler.
Examples of steppe plants
includes Milkvetch, Rhubarb,
and Tumbleweed.
Steppe Animals Quote- The Corsac fox is a
long legged, reddish gray fox
with large ears and a short,
pointy face. The Mongolian
Gerbil is light brown with
black tipped hairs and its
under fur is gray. The Saiga
antelope once roamed from
western Europe, across the
Eurasian continent and into
Alaska. The northern lynx is
basically a very large cat
with a powerful body, short
sturdy legs, and a very short
tail. The saker falcon is a big,
strong bird of prey with large
feet and pointed wings.
Examples of steppe animals
includes of the Corsac Fox,
Mongolian Gerbil, Saiga
Antelope, Northern Lynx, and the
Saker Falcon.
Steppe Climate The mountains block moist air
from oceans or tropical climates
from reaching the steppe. There is
not enough precipitation for trees
to grow except by rivers. Summer
temperatures of the steppe aren't
much different from the dry
savanna. Both are grasslands, and
both can reach temperatures of
104° F, and have heavy
thunderstorms. In the winter,
however, there are no clouds to
keep heat from escaping into the
upper atmosphere. The land gets
colder and colder. Winter
temperatures of -40° F are not
uncommon. There are no trees to
block the wind, so it howls. The
combination of low temperatures
and dry winds make it a very
harsh place to live.
Steppe Climate is a combination of
low temperatures, high winds, and
not enough rainfall.
Chaparral Location Quote- The chaparral
biome is found in a
little bit of most of
the continents - the
west coast of the
United States, the
west coast of South
America, the Cape
Town area of South
Africa, the western
tip of Australia and
the coastal areas of
the Mediterranean.
Located in the west coast of the
United States, west coast of South
America, Cape Town of South
Africa, western tip of Australia,
and coast of the Mediterranean.
Chaparral Plants
Quote- The Fairy
Duster is a low shrub
that usually grows 8
to 48 inches tall. The
Torrey pine is one of
the rarest pine in the
U.S. French broom is
found in the Pacific
Northwest and
Northern Canada on
the American
continent.
Examples of chaparral plants
includes of the Fairy Duster, Torrey
Pine, and the French Broom.
Chaparral Animals Quote- Capra aegagrus, or
Bezoar goats, are found on
Creta, and other Greek islands,
in Turkey, Iran, Turkmenia,
Pakistan. The Jackal is much
like a small wolf. The spotted
skunk is an animal that looks
like a cat, only wider and not as
high above the ground. The
Cactus Wren lives in the arid
and semi-arid deserts of
southwestern United States and
the chaparral of southern
California and northern
Mexico. Although it is called a
rabbit, the black-tailed
jackrabbit is really a hare.
Examples of chaparral animals
includes of the Bezoar Goat,
Jackal, Cactus Wren, Spotted
Skunk, and Jackrabbit.
Chaparral Climate Quote- In the winter the
Chaparral climate, also
known as the Mediterranean
climate, is mild and moist,
but not rainy. During the
summer it is very hot and
dry. The temperature is
usually mild but it can get
very hot or nearly
freezing. This biome only
gets about 10-17 inches of
rain all year, and most of it
comes in the winter. There
are many fires in the
chaparral because of the heat
and dryness.
Chaparral climate is mild and moist,
but not rainy winters. Summers are
very hot and dry. Since most of the
rainfall is from winter there are
many fires from the heat.
Grassland Location Quote- Grassland biomes
can be found in the middle
latitudes, in the interiors of
continents. They can have
either moist continental
climates or dry subtropical
climates. In Argentina,
South America, the
grasslands are known as
pampas. There is a large
area of grassland that
stretch from the Ukraine of
Russia all the way to
Siberia.
Located in middle latitudes
and interior of continents.
Found in the U.S.,
Argentina, and from the
Ukraine to Siberia.
Grassland Plants Quote- Buffalo grass is
a very hardy grass and
grows mostly in the
North American
prairies. Big bluestem
is known as a bunch
grass because it grows
in little hill shapes. The
purple coneflower is a
native plant of North
America and grows on
the plains of
Midwestern United
States.
Examples of grassland plants
includes of Buffalo Grass, Big
Bluestem, and Purple Coneflower.
Grassland Animals Quote- The Bald Eagle is the
national bird of the United
States of America. The
bobcat is a wild cat that
weighs an average of 33
pounds when it is full
grown. The badger is an
animal with a stocky,
powerful build, having four
short, strong legs and large,
sharp claws. The prairie dogs
range from Canada to
northern Mexico. Bumble
bees are always the
traditional bee colors of
black and yellow.
Examples of grassland animals
include the Bald Eagle, Bobcat,
Badger, Prairie Dog, and
Bumblebees.
Grassland Climate
Quote- West of the Mississippi
River the temperature is moist
and humid. Summers are warm
and humid. Winters are cold
but not to the extreme. The
farther west and in the interior
of the country, the temperatures
becomes drier. Moisture from
the Pacific Ocean is blocked by
the mountains. This is where
the short-grass prairies are
found. Summers are hot and
winters very cold. There are no
natural barriers, like trees, so
there is a constant wind.
Grassland climate is moist and
humid. The summers are warm
and winters are cold.
Temperatures can become drier
and there is constant wind.
Deciduous Forest Location
Quote- Deciduous forests can
be found in the eastern half of
North America, and the middle
of Europe. There are many
deciduous forests in Asia.
Some of the major areas that
they are in are southwest
Russia, Japan, and eastern
China. South America has two
big areas of deciduous forests
in southern Chile and Middle
East coast of Paraguay. There
are deciduous forests located in
New Zealand, and southeastern
Australia also.
Located in eastern half of North
America, middle of Europe, Asia
(Russia, Japan, & China), South
America (Chile & Paraguay), New
Zealand, and southeastern Australia.
Deciduous Forest Plants
Quote- The Guelder
Rose prefers to grow at
low altitudes and in
semi-shade in Scotland
and England. The
Tawny Milkcap
Mushroom can be found
in most deciduous
forests. The White Birch
is a small to medium
sized deciduous tree
which grows to 70 or 80
feet in height.
Examples of deciduous forest
plants are the Guelder Rose,
Tawny Milkcap Mushroom, and
the White Birch.
Deciduous Forest Animals
Quote- The duckbill platypus
lives in the deciduous forests
of Australia. The fur of the
white-tailed deer is a grayish
color in the winter then more
red comes out during the
summer. Deep in the woods
of the Northeast Asian
deciduous forest roams the
least weasel. The European
red squirrel lives in the
European Deciduous Forest.
The Eastern chipmunk is a
very cute little animal.
Examples of deciduous forest
animals include the Duckbill
Platypus, White-tailed Deer, Least
Weasel, European Red Squirrel,
and the Eastern Chipmunk.
Deciduous Forest Climate Quote- One thing that is
interesting about this biome and
its climate is that it has four
distinct seasons; spring, summer,
autumn, and winter. Most
deciduous forests have mild
summers averaging about 70 °F.
Summer months usually begin in
early June and end in late August.
Winter months don't begin until
December. Winter temperatures
are fairly cool with an average
temperature of a little below
freezing. Climate is a mix of
temperature and precipitation.
Climate is a mix of
temperature and rainfall
throughout 4 seasons.
Taiga Location
Quote- It stretches
over Eurasia and
North America.
The taiga is
located near the
top of the world,
just below the
tundra biome.
Located over Eurasia and North
America near the top of the world.
Taiga Plants
Quote- The Eastern
Red Cedar is a small
evergreen that
commonly grows to
a height of 10-50
feet. The jack pine
has pinecones that
store and produce its
seeds. Poplar trees
are often planted as
shade trees because
they grow so fast.
Examples of taiga plants are the
Eastern Red Cedar, the Jack Pine,
and the White Poplar Tree.
Taiga Animals Quote- The Grizzly Bear is a
sub-species of the Brown Bear.
River otters inhabit areas that
have thick woods, lakes, swamps,
rocks, and logs near grassy areas,
streams, rivers, ponds, and
mostly fresh water. The
Snowshoe Rabbit can run up to
27 mph and jump 10 feet in one
hop. The Long-Eared Owl is a
medium sized owl which is
approximately 35 centimeters
long (around 13 inches) and
weighs 8-10 ounces. The red fox
usually rests in a burrow during
the day that was recently
abandoned by larger creatures
such as a badger.
Examples of taiga animals include
the Grizzly Bear, River Otter,
Snowshoe Rabbit, Long-eared Owl,
and the Red Fox.
Taiga Climate
Quote- The taiga climate is
for the most part dominated
by cold arctic air.
Exceptionally cold winds
bring bitterly cold air from
the Arctic Circle: the
temperatures fall even more
on clear nights when there
is no cloud cover. Because
of earth's tilt, the taiga is
turned away from the sun in
the winter. Less of the sun's
radiation reaches the
ground to warm it up.
Climate is cold due to the cold arctic
air. Temperatures fall at night due to
having no cloud cover. Since the earth
is tilted, the sun’s rays don’t reach the
ground of this region.
Tundra Location Quote- Located at latitudes 55°
to 70° North, the tundra is a vast
and treeless land which covers
about 20% of the Earth's surface,
circumnavigating the North pole.
It is usually very cold, and the
land is pretty stark. Almost all
tundras are located in the
Northern Hemisphere. Small
tundra-like areas do exist in
Antarctica in the Southern
Hemisphere, but because it is
much colder than the Arctic, the
ground is always covered with
snow and ice. Conditions are not
right for a true tundra to form.
Located in the North Pole but
not the South Pole because the
Arctic is much colder.
Tundra Plants
Quote- Tufted Saxifrage
is a small perennial that
grow in thick mats on the
tundra. Bearberry is a
low growing evergreen.
The Calliergon
giganteum is an aquatic
plant found growing on
the bottom of tundra lake
beds and in and around
bogs and fens.
Examples of tundra plants are the
Tufted Saxifrage, Bearbrry, and
Arctic Moss.
Tundra Animals
Quote- The caribou is actually
a large members of the deer
family. The harlequin duck
gets its name from the
decorated appearance of the
male harlequin, because it
resembles the colorful
costumes worn by
"harlequins", who were people
dressed as clowns. Most of the
sun's rays reach their black
skin, which
absorbs the heat and keeps the
polar bear warm.
Examples of tundra animals
includes the Caribou, Harlequin
Duck, and the Polar Bear.
Tundra Climate Quote- The tundra is a bleak and
treeless place. It is cold through all
months of the year Summer is a brief
period of milder climates when the
sun shines almost 24 hours a day. But
even the sun can't warm the tundra
much. The short summer lasts only 6
to 10 weeks. It never gets any warmer
than 45 or 50° F. The warmer weather
causes a layer of permafrost, ice that
never goes away in the ground, to
melt, creating bogs and shallow lakes
that don't drain. During the long
winter months the sun barely rises and
it is dark for most of the day. Bitter
cold winds scud across the barren
snowscape, exposing high plateaus to
barren ground.
Climate is cold all year long.
Average warm temperatures
are 45°-50°F. Warm weather
causes permafrost to melt.
There are bitter cold winds.
Alpine Location
Quote- Alpine biomes are
found in the mountain regions
all around the world. The
Alpine biome lies just below
the snow line of a mountain.
As you go up a mountain, you
will travel through many
biomes. In the North American
Rocky Mountains you begin in
a desert biome. As you climb
you go through a deciduous
forest biome, grassland biome,
steppe biome, and taiga biome
before you reach the cold
Alpine biome.
Located in mountain regions all
over the world. The biome lies
right below the snow line of a
mountain.
Alpine Plants
Quote- The wild potato
is a relative of the
cultivated potato, and is
found in the alpine
biome of the Andes
Mountains. Moss
Campion is part of the
pinks family. The
bristlecone pine is a
multi-trunked tree,
gnarled and twisted by
the elements.
Examples of alpine plants
includes of the Wild Potato,
Moss Campion, and the
Bristlecone Pine.
Alpine Animals Quotes- Llamas are part of
the camel family.
Mountain Goats have two
beige colored horns that
curl back and reach a
length of about twelve
inches. The snow leopard
is part of the cat family. In
the wild, chinchillas can
be found in the Andes
alpine regions, but
because they are an
endangered species, they
are not easily found.
Examples of alpine animals
includes of Llamas, Mountain
Goats, Snow Leopards, and
Chinchillas.
Alpine Climate The Alpine biome is one of the
coldest biomes in the world. It
is so cold because of its high
altitudes. Summer temperature
range between -12 degrees
Celsius to 10 degrees Celsius.
The average precipitation is 30
cm a year.It is very much like
the Tundra biome. Both the
alpine and the tundra biomes
are cold and dry throughout the
year. The Alpine biome is also
similar to the arctic biome.
Climate is one of the coldest
in the world due to its high
altitudes. Very similar to the
tundra biome since it’s cold
and dry.
Elliott Key, Florida Quote- Warmer oceans
put coastal communities
at risk, increase
infrastructure costs,
endanger polar creatures
and threaten coral reefs
and fisheries. Perhaps
most alarmingly, rising
ocean temperatures
accelerate the overall
warming trend.
Top impact is the ocean
temperature.
•Rising temperatures caused coral
reefs in Florida to die off.
• Other problems include an
increase in infrastructure cost,
polar creatures becoming
endangered and threat to fisheries.
Source-
http://www.climatehotmap.org/glob
al-warming-locations/elliott-key-fl-
usa.html
Other Impacts Quote- Although marine species are
more difficult to see and less well
studied than land and freshwater
species, they are known to be
experiencing some of the same—and
some different—effects from global
warming. The world's oceans are
becoming more acidic, threatening
sea life.
Other impacts include salt water and
ocean chemistry.
•Salt water species are experiencing
the effects of global warming.
Problems of this include forced
migrations, diseases, coral
bleaching, and harm to wetlands.
•With ocean chemistry, the oceans
are becoming more acidic which is
threatening sea life. A problem of
this is the change in the ability of
coral reefs and other shelled
organisms to form skeletons/shells.
Key Facts Quote- Elliott Key in Florida's Biscayne National Park is formed from an ancient coral
reef. Living corals at the heart of the unique marine ecosystem of the Florida Keys are
vulnerable to rising water temperatures, ocean acidification, and other effects of climate
change. Even small increases in water temperature can cause coral bleaching, and if
such stress continues, corals can die. The intensity and frequency of coral bleaching has
increased significantly over the past 30 years, causing death or severe damage to one-
third of the world's corals. If our carbon emissions continue to rise at current rates,
scientists project that waters around the Florida Keys are likely to become too warm and
too acidic to support coral reefs.
• Small increases in temperature can cause coral bleaching, if this continues
then the coral can eventually die.
• Increase intensity and frequency of coral bleaching for the past 30 years.
• 1/3 of world’s coral has been damaged.
• Scientist predict that waters could become too warm/too acidic for coral if
carbon emission rates continue.
Details Quote- The Florida Keys are the exposed
portions of an ancient limestone or an old
coral reef that forms a chain of islands
extending from the tip of the Florida
peninsula to Key West. Corals are marine
animals. Their spectacular coloration comes
from symbiotic algae, which also nourish
them. Coral reefs provide food and habitat for
other species, including a wide range of fish,
and protect coastlines from large waves.
Coral reefs typically live within a specific
range of temperature, light, and concentration
of carbonate in seawater. When increases in
ocean temperature or ultraviolet light stress
the corals, they lose their colorful algae,
leaving only transparent coral tissue covering
their white calcium-carbonate skeletons.
Ocean acidification poses an added danger to
corals and other sea animals that need
calcium carbonate to build shells or skeletons.
•Florida Keys are exposed
portions of limestone or
old coral reef.
•Coral reefs provide food
and habitat for other
species.
•Increase in ocean
temperature stresses the
coral, making it lose its
colorful algae.
What the Future Holds Quote- Unless we make deep and swift
cuts in our heat-trapping emissions,
scientists project that corals risk
ultimately being unable to build shells or
skeletons as the oceans become so sour
that the mineral comprising the reefs
begins to dissolve. If our carbon
emissions—and ocean acidity—continue
to rise at current rates, aragonite in the
southern ocean could start to dissolve by
2060. Marine organisms that build their
shells out of calcite, in contrast, might not
begin dissolving until the end of the
century. Scientists say that the waters
around the Florida Keys are eventually
unlikely to support coral reefs because of
declining levels of carbonate in surface
waters. With snorkeling and scuba diving
at risk, the future of tourism in Biscayne
National Park is uncertain.
Scientists say that coral have a
risk of becoming unable to build
shells/skeletons. The waters
would unlikely be able to
support coral reefs. Snorkeling
and scuba diving would be at
risk which causes the tourism to
be uncertain.
Possible Solution- United States
Solutions to global warming in North America include
reducing coal emissions, increasing the use of energy
efficiency and renewable energy, greening transportation,
and helping developing countries reduce deforestation.
Analysis performed by the Union of Concerned Scientists
has demonstrated that the U.S. can dramatically reduce its
reliance on fossil fuels and nearly phase-out coal by 2030
while saving consumers and businesses money by
investing primarily in energy efficiency and renewable
energy. There are concrete actions that citizens,
businesses and policymakers can take to reduce global
warming emissions. While comprehensive climate and
energy legislation has thus far failed to pass the United
States Congress, there are a series of vital programs and
strategies underway in the United States to reduce global
warming emissions, such as: elevating energy efficiency;
promoting renewable energy;
reducing coal emissions; greening transportation; and
providing assistance to developing countries to reduce
deforestation and switch to clean energy technologies.
Solutions include reducing coal
emissions, use renewable
energy, and greening
transportation. In order to do
this people can take part in
programs and companies can
invest in using more renewable
energy.
San Marcos de Tarrazú, Costa Rica
Quote- Climate-related threats to
global food production include
risks to grain, vegetable, and
fruit crops, livestock, and
fisheries. As with health
risks, nations and individuals
do not bear threats to the
global food supply equally.
Nations that lose arable land and
critical fisheries may not have
the resources or climate to
pursue reasonable-cost options
for maintaining food security.
Some nations are also more
vulnerable to unfavorable
international trade agreements
and regional strife that may
interrupt food distribution
Top impact is food. Climate related threats
to food include risks to grain, vegetable,
fruit crops, livestock, and fisheries.
Problems with this include reduced yields,
increased irrigation, planting/harvesting
changes, decreased arability, and more
pests.
Source- http://www.climatehotmap.org/global-warming-locations/san-marcos-de-tarrazu-costa-rica.html
Other Impacts Quote- Rising air
temperatures bring heat
waves, spread disease, shift
plant and animal habitat and
cause extreme weather
events, from drought to
blizzards. Scientists and
economists are beginning to
grapple with the serious
economic and
environmental consequences
if we fail to reduce global
carbon emissions quickly
and deeply. The most
expensive thing we can do is
nothing.
Other impacts are air temperature and
costs. The rising of air temperature can
cause problems such as heat waves,
spread of diseases, shift in plant/animal
habitat, and extreme weather. When
dealing with environmental problems,
people have to cut on emissions quickly
or deeply, doing nothing is the biggest
cost.
Key Facts Quote- Average temperatures in Costa Rica
warmed by 0.9 to 1.8° F (0.5 to 1.0° C) from
1901 to 2000, and the number of warm days
has risen by about 2.5 percent each decade
since the 1970s.
Rising temperatures have occurred along
with an increase in infestations of the coffee
berry borer, a pest that causes annual losses
of about $500 million US$ and affects the
income of more than 20 million households
globally.
Since 2000, yields of Costa Rican coffee
crops have plummeted by 39 percent, and
coffee production has plunged by 44 percent.
Mid-range scenarios for future emissions of
heat-trapping gases–primarily from the
burning of oil, gas, and trees–project a
warming of 3.2 to 9° F (1.8 to 5° C) by
2100.That will likely worsen environmental
challenges already straining Costa Rican
coffee growers.
•Number of warm days in Costa
Rica have rose by 2.5% each
decade since 1970.
•Rising temps have caused
infestations in coffee.
•Costa Rican coffee products
went down 39%, making
production drop 44%.
Details Quote- The combination of rising
temperatures, more extreme rainfall
events, and greater prevalence of
coffee berry borers may already be
affecting Costa Rican coffee crops.
Since 2000, coffee crop yields have
dropped by 39 percent. This
warming–attributed to heat-trapping
emissions from human activities–
could prove troublesome for coffee
crops.4 The Arabica coffee plant's
preferred temperature range is fairly
narrow: between 64 and 71°/ F (18
to 22° C). Both yield and quality
decline above or below that
range.10 Above 93°: F (34° C), little
photosynthesis takes place within
the coffee plant.11
•Since 2000, coffee crop
yields have dropped.
•Coffee plant’s temperature
range is pretty narrow.
What the Future Holds Quote- Future changes in rainfall have
proven difficult to project, because of the
complex topography of Costa Rica and
its Central American neighbors, and the
connection to El Niño events. However,
some evidence suggests that rainfall in
Costa Rica could drop during this
century. Adaptations such as planting
coffee at higher altitudes, and planting
more shade trees to insulate coffee plants
from extremes in temperatures, may help
reduce the vulnerability of coffee
growers to continued changes in
temperature and rainfall. Because
human-induced emissions of heat-
trapping gases are rising, scientists
project that temperatures in Central
America will continue to increase over
the course of this century.
•Scientists predict that temps in
Central America will continue to
rise.
• Evidence says that maybe the
rainfall could drop.
•Growers might have to plant at
higher altitudes or plant more
shade trees.
Possible Solutions- Latin America Quote- Solutions to global
warming across the varied
countries of Latin America
include pursuing new policies to
curb deforestation and forest
degradation; reducing emissions
from cars, trucks and buses; and
promoting energy efficiency and
renewable energy. One standout
is Costa Rica, which aims to be
carbon neutral (have zero net
greenhouse gas emissions) by
2021. Already a green leader
with 96 percent of its electricity
coming from renewable sources,
Costa Rica has increased its
forested area by 10 percent in
the last decade.
•Reducing emissions from cars,
trucks and buses. People could
walk, bike, or carpool.
North Sea, United Kingdom Quote- Although marine species are more
difficult to see and less well studied than land
and freshwater species, they are known to be
experiencing some of the same—and some
different—effects from global warming. Cold-
water species are on the move, seeking cooler,
deeper, or higher-latitude waters, while warm-
water species are moving to places formerly
too cold for their survival. Scientists are
detecting marine diseases, such as lobster-shell
disease, in waters historically thought to be too
cold. As seawater temperatures rise above the
range that corals can tolerate, they are
expelling their symbiotic algae and exposing
white skeletons—a process known as
bleaching. Coastal wetlands, salt marshes, and
mangroves are highly vulnerable to inundation
as sea levels rise, unless they can migrate
inland unimpeded.
Top impact is salt water.
•Marine species are dealing
with effects of global
warming.
•Problems of this include
forced migrations, diseases,
coral bleaching, and harm to
wetlands.
Source- http://www.climatehotmap.org/hotspot-images/north-sea-united-
kingdom.jpg
Other Impacts
Quote- Climate-related threats
to global food production
include risks to grain,
vegetable, and fruit crops,
livestock, and fisheries.
Warmer oceans put coastal
communities at risk, increase
infrastructure costs, endanger
polar creatures and threaten
coral reefs and fisheries.
Perhaps most alarmingly,
rising ocean temperatures
accelerate the overall
warming trend.
•Ocean Temperature and food.
•Increase puts communities at
risk, raises infrastructure costs,
endanger polar creatures, and
harm coral reefs/fisheries.
•Climate threats global food
product like risks to grains, fruits,
vegetables, livestock, and fish.
Key Facts
Quote- Warming of the North Sea has
affected the distribution and abundance
of plankton—the foundation of the
marine food chain—and shifted their
seasonal cycles.
Changes in the plankton ecosystem
linked to warmer surface temperatures
have already harmed other species that
rely on plankton for food, such as cod.
Further climate change is expected to
intensify these effects on North Sea
plankton, cod, and marine
ecosystems—with implications for the
fishing industry and the communities
that depend on it.
•Warming in North Sea affected
amount of plankton and their
seasons.
•Changes in plankton’s
ecosystems have harmed other
species.
•Fishing industries and
communities rely on these
species.
Details Quote- Bridling ton, Whidbey, and other
English coastal towns have long
depended on the North Sea fishery for
food and income. But global warming is
affecting plankton and changing the
marine food chain, compounding the
pressures of overfishing. The resulting
disruption of the ecosystem could
damage the fishing industry and hurt
North Sea coastal communities from the
United Kingdom to Scandinavia. The
result is changes in the distribution and
abundance of plankton species, as well as
shifts in their seasonal cycles. For
example, in the northeast Atlantic, both
warmer-water and colder-water plankton
moved 10° latitude farther north over a
four-decade period at the end of the
twentieth century.
•The results of the ecosystem can
damage fishing industry and
communities from the UK to
Scandinavia.
•Plankton have moved 10° North.
What the Future Holds
Quote- If our climate continues
to warm at today's rate,
scientists expect North Sea
plankton that respond to
temperature cues to bloom even
earlier in the coming decades.
With a growing mismatch in
life cycles among various
species of plankton, as well as
further climate-induced shifts
in their abundance and
distribution, effects on the
North Sea ecosystem—
including cod—are projected to
be considerable.
•Plankton could start their
seasons earlier which effects the
ecosystem like cod.
Possible Solution- Europe Quote- Solutions to global
warming pursued by the
European region include
binding national commitments
to reduce emissions, the multi-
national cap-and-trade program
known as the European Union's
Emission Trading Scheme, and
strong supports for its
renewable energy and energy
efficiency industries. The
European Union's Emission
Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is
the world's first, and largest
multi-national cap-and-trade
program for reducing heat-
trapping emissions.
Binding commitments to reduce
emissions, European Union’s
Emission Trading Scheme, and
support for renewable sources.
Europe could try to get more
countries involved.
Geoengineering
Quote- Geo-engineering is the study
and implementation of technical
ways to change (and arguably
improve) things like weather
patterns, river paths, soils, climates
and sea currents on Earth. Recently,
geo-engineering has received
special attention for efforts to
combat global warming.
Geoengineering is the change
of geographical things with
technology.
Source- http://geo-engineering.blogspot.com/
Add SO₂ to Stratosphere Quote- The plan: Use a fleet of aero
planes to pump sulphur dioxide into the
stratosphere, where it will form aerosols
that reflect sunlight straight back into
space and thus cool the planet. Pros:
Could offset all the warming from a
doubling of CO2. Affordable and feasible.
We know it works – big volcanic
eruptions cool the planet this way. Cons:
Reduces rainfall, like all sunshade
schemes. Will alter regional climates with
potentially disastrous effects, such as
famines. Doesn't cool poles as much as
tropics, so rest of planet would have to be
cooled below pre-industrial levels to stop
polar ice sheets melting. Won't stop ocean
acidification. If CO2 levels continue to
rise, the planet would warm rapidly if we
stopped injecting SO2 into the
stratosphere. Will make sky whiter.
In order to add SO₂ to the stratosphere they would use airplanes. It would reflect sunlight back, making Earth cooler.
Source-
http://www.newscientist.com/gallery/geoengineering
Pros and Cons
Pros
1. Affordable
2. Could offset all warming
3. We know it works
Cons
1. Reduces rainfall
2. Alter regional climates
3. Doesn’t cool poles as
much as tropics
4. Won’t stop ocean
acidification
5. If stopped, warming
could start again
6. Make sky whiter
Whiten Marine Clouds Quote- The plan: Use a fleet of ships to spray
seawater into the air. The salt particles should
increase the concentration of droplets in clouds,
making them whiter and more reflective, thus
cooling the planet .
Pros: Could offset all the warming from a
doubling of CO2. Might be possible to cool the
poles more than the tropics, and thus slow or stop
ice loss. Affordable and feasible. No toxic
chemicals required. Cons: Might not work – no
real-world tests have been done. Necessary
technology does not exist. Reduces rainfall, like
all sunshade schemes.
Will alter regional climates with potentially
disastrous effects, such as drying the Amazon
Rest of planet might have to be cooled to near
pre-industrial levels to stop polar ice sheets from
melting. Won't stop ocean acidification. If
CO2 levels continue to rise, planet would warm
rapidly if spraying stopped.
In order to whiten marine
clouds, ships would spray
seawater into the air. This
should increase the
concentration of droplets
making them more reflective
which cools the Earth.
Pros and Cons Pros
1. Offset all warming
2. Might cool down poles more
than tropics
3. Affordable
4. No toxic chemicals
Cons
1. Might not work
2. Necessary technology
does not exist
3. Reduces rainfall
4. Alter regional climates
5. Rest of planet might have
to be cooled in order to
stop ice sheets from
melting
6. Wont stop ocean
acidification
7. Planet could warm up
quickly if spraying
stopped.
Dispersing Cirrus Quote- The plan: Spray bismuth tri-iodide
high in the atmosphere to seed formation of
large ice crystals that rapidly fall to the
ground. This should reduce the amount of
heat-trapping cirrus clouds, which are made
of tiny ice crystals that descend slowly. Pros:
Will be most effective near the poles, where
cooling is essential to stop ice sheets melting.
Appears feasible. Could be done during
normal commercial flights. Fairly potent.
Could offset around the half the warming
from a doubling of CO2. Not expected to
reduce rainfall. Cons: Might not work – no
real-world tests have been done. Unclear if it
could cool poles enough prevent large sea-
level rises. Will alter regional climates with
potentially disastrous effects.
Won't stop ocean acidification. If CO2 levels
continue to rise, planet would warm rapidly if
seeding stopped,
In order to disperse cirrus,
people would spry tri-iodine
in the atmosphere to make ice
fall. This reduces amount of
heat trapping cirrus clouds.
Pros and Cons Pros
1. Effective near poles
2. Can be done during
commercial flights
3. Fairly potent
4. Not expected to reduce
rainfall
Cons
1. Might not work
2. Unclear is cooling is able to
prevent sea level to rise
3. Alter regional climates
4. Plant heat would rise if it is
stopped
Biochar
The plan: Grow plants and lock
away the carbon they absorb
by turning them into biochar–
charcoal – that can be mixed into
soil. Pros: Safe. Will slow climate
change rather than actively changing
the climate itself. Will slow rate of
ocean acidification. Cons: Of
questionable efficacy. An optimistic
estimate is that it could offset 10 per
cent of the warming due to a
doubling of CO2. Would compete
with food and biofuel production.
Won't prevent large sea-level rises,
though should slow rate a little.
In order to use biochar,
people would grow plants
and lock absorbed carbon
by turning them into
charcoal.
Pros and Cons Pros
1. It’s safe
2. Slow rate of ocean
acidification
Cons
1. Could offset 10% of
warming
2. Compete with food and
biofuel production
3. Won’t prevent sea levels to
rise
Ocean Fertilization
The plan: Boost the growth of
plankton by adding nutrients such as
iron to ocean waters. If the dead
plankton sink to the ocean floor and get
buried, the organic carbon in their
bodies will be safely locked away.
Pros: Safe. Will slow climate change
rather than actively changing the
climate itself. Will slow rate of ocean
acidification. Cons: Of questionable
efficacy. Optimistic estimate is
offsetting 5 per cent of the warming
due to a doubling of CO2. Will alter
marine ecosystems
Will cause or accelerate ocean
deoxygenation ("dead zones"). Won't
prevent large sea-level rises, but might
slow rate slightly.
In order to use ocean
fertilization, people will have
to add nutrients to ocean
waters.
Pros and Cons
Pros
1. It’s safe
2. Will slow rate of ocean
acidification
Cons
1. Offset 5% of warming
2. Alter marine ecosystems
3. Cause ocean
deoxygenation
4. Won’t prevent sea level
to rise
Space Parasols
Quote- The plan: Launch
millions of sunshades into
deep space to shade the
Earth from the sun. Pros:
Irrelevant. Cons:
Unachievable with existing
technology.
In order to use space parasols,
people would have to launch
sunshades into deep. This would
shade the Earth from the sun.
Pros
1. Irrelevant
Cons
1. Unachievable with
technology we have
now