The document discusses the impacts of climate change that are already occurring around the world. It notes that 9 of the last 10 years have been the warmest on record, and that conditions today are unusual compared to the last 2000 and 6000 years. Human activities like burning fossil fuels have increased the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, trapping more heat and causing the planet to warm in an unprecedented way. The effects of this warming include rising seas, more extreme weather, melting glaciers and ice sheets. If emissions continue at high levels, many severe consequences can be expected by the end of the century like hundreds of millions displaced from coastal areas due to sea level rise. However, actions to reduce emissions and prepare for impacts can help address
14. Too much water, as glaciers melt
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Shepard Glacier, Glacier National Park, USA
When the park was created: over 150 glaciers
In 2005: 27 glaciers remaining
15. Too much water, as glaciers melt
The Rhone glacier in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland
32. An extra “blanket” around the Earth
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44. Aren’t scientists always disagreeing?
Warming of the climate system is now evident from observations.
Most of the increase is very likely (>90%) due to the observed
increase in heat-trapping gas concentrations due to human
activities [including burning fossil fuels].
Climatic change is being brought about by human-
induced increases in the concentration of
atmospheric carbon dioxide, primarily through the
processes of combustion [burning] of fossil fuels.
45. Aren’t scientists always disagreeing?
Warming of the climate system is now evident from observations.
Most of the increase is very likely (>90%) due to the observed
increase in heat-trapping gas concentrations due to human
activities [including burning fossil fuels].
The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change, 2007
Climatic change is being brought about by human-
induced increases in the concentration of
atmospheric carbon dioxide, primarily through the
processes of combustion [burning] of fossil fuels.
“The Artificial Production of Carbon Dioxide and
Its Influence on Temperature”
Guy Callendar, 1938
51. What does this mean … for Massachusetts?
Hot and sticky
summers:
MD under lower
emissions
SC under higher
emissions
52. What does this mean … for Chicago?
Summers: hot and WINTER
humid
Winters: warmer,
but just as much SUMMER
snow
53. What does this mean … for the US?
Weeks per Year > 100oF (38oC)
Historical
54. What does this mean … for the US?
Weeks per Year > 100oF (38oC)
Future: Lower Emissions
55. What does this mean … for the US?
Weeks per Year > 100oF (38oC)
Future: Higher Emissions
56. What does this mean … for the world?
In 2000: 150,000 deaths per year
In 2009: 300,000 deaths per year
300 million already at risk from climate change
This century: hundreds of millions of refugees
57. What does this mean … for Europe?
More frequent &
severe heat waves
European Heat
Wave of 2003
>70,000 deaths
58. What does this mean … for Australia?
More unpredictable
weather conditions.
More droughts & wildfires
like the devastating fires
of January 2009.
59. What does this mean … for Latin America?
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60. What does this mean … for California?
Half of
California’s
water comes
from mountain
snow.
70-90% of that
could be gone
before the end
of the century.
61. What does this mean … for our coasts?
Warmer water =
Stronger tropical
storms
68. We have 3 choices:
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69. 1. Educate ourselves
How we know it’s happening and How climate change affects us here in the US
why it matters US Global Change Program
climateforchangethebook.com www.globalchange.gov/usimpacts
70. 2. Prepare for what we can’t avoid
Conserve the
resources we have
Protect ourselves from
what we can
71. 3. Reduce our own impact
stop using this start using this
Each US household replacing 1 light bulb
= taking 1,000,000 cars off the road (+$30 savings per bulb)
72. 4. Support fundamental change
stop using this start using this
Renewable energy gives us clean air and water, and home-
grown energy sources that will never run out. So, why not?
73. Change is happening
1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
167 nations agree to reduce heat-trapping gas emissions, to
prevent dangerous human interference with climate system.