Climate Change &

Behavior Change

Primer on Climate ChangeThe global average temperature has increased by more than 1.5°F since the late 1800s.[2] Some regions of the world have warmed by more than twice this amount. The buildup of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere and the warming of the planet are responsible for other changes, such as:

https://www.epa.gov/climate-change-science/overview-climate-change-science

EffectsChanging

temperature and precipitation patterns [1][2]

Increases in ocean temperatures, sea level, and acidity

Melting of glaciers and sea ice [1]Changes in the frequency, intensity,

and duration of extreme weather events

Shifts in ecosystem characteristics, like the length of the growing season, timing of flower blooms, and migration of birds

Increasing effects on human health and well-being

Marmots are ending their hibernations about three weeks earlier than they did 30 years ago.

Canadian red squirrels are breeding about 18 days earlier.

Red foxes are spreading northward, encroaching on territory normally occupied by their arctic cousins.

Polar bears today are thinner and less healthy than those of 20 years ago.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/03/03/climate-change-turning-koalas-drink-scientists-find

Mammals

Coral reefs around the world are predicted to decrease by up to a third in size.

Elephant seal pups are leaner because their prey is migrating to cooler waters.

Tidal organisms like rock barnacles, mollusks, and tidal snails commonly found in warm southern waters are moving northward.

Many fish species are moving northward in search of cooler waters.

Sealife

The diet of some songbirds are changing, with some avoiding insects that consume leaves exposed to high levels of carbon dioxide.

North American tree swallows are laying their eggs about nine days earlier than they did 40 years ago.

Common murres are breeding 24 days earlier than they did a decade ago.

Birds

PlantsAmerican flowering plants like columbines and wild geraniums are blooming earlier than before.

Some plants are thriving in areas where their growth was limited before, thanks to increased water, heat and sunlight.

InsectsEdith's checkerspot butterflies are moving northward in search of cooler temperatures.

A gene in the fruitfly Drosophila normally associated with hot, dry conditions has spread to populations living in traditionally cooler southern regions.

HerpsNorth American Fowler's toads are breeding six days later than they did a decade ago.

Loggerhead sea turtles are laying their eggs about 10 days earlier than they did 15 years ago.

Rising temperatures are influencing the sex of Hawkbill turtle hatchlings, with more females than males being born.

Gopher Tortoises are now going out of their burrows less or dying of heat exhaustion

http://www.livescience.com/3863-animals-plants-adapting-climate-change.html

All things are connected

Effects on songbirds

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

pmc/articles/PMC2781852/

● They are migrating earlier than normal○ Not enough food when they

reach their destination

● They are laying their eggs earlier than normal○ Might be from lack of resources or

temperature selection

● The young are being born earlier than normal○ The new hatchlings don’t have enough food

Desert Tortoise

Its well.. A Desert Tortoise

With increased temperatures the adults are able to survive….

But the hatchlings

simply can’t...

They might relocate

them

However, Tortoises

are a keystone species