An overview of Climate Change and how we can help reduce our impact on it.

1. Global Problematique
CLIMATE CHANGE
By: Kelly Jo Kokaisel

2. GLOBAL WARMING
 What is it?
 Global warming is an increase in the average temperature of Earth's near-
surface air and water. According to a Report in 2007 by the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), surface temperatures increased 1.33+°F over
the 20th century. Most of the increase is said to be caused by increasing
concentrations of greenhouse gases, resulting from human activity such as
burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.
 Are we causing it?
 We do have documented evidence that ice caps are melting. We have evidence
that carbon dioxide levels, temperatures, and sea-levels are rising. And we have
evidence that this is effecting our and animal habitats. What we do not have
binding evidence on yet, is if it is part of a natural cycle or if we are causing it, or
if we can change it. I think one thing is for sure, if we take less, make less, use
less, and waste less, it certainly cannot hurt.

3. THE GLOBAL WARMING CYCLE

4. WHAT WE SEE
Despite this, what we do understand is that:
 There has been a near 30% reduction in arctic ice
coverage from 1980 to 2005.
 Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere has risen 35%
since 1800.
 The average global temperature has risen 1 degree in
the last 30 years.
 Sea levels have risen 4-10 inches over the last 100
years.
 These numbers coincide with the American Industrial
Revolution.

5. WHAT WE BELIEVE
According to some studies, nearly 3 times as many scientists believe
that humans are causing Global Warming, versus those who believe
it is part of the Earth’s natural cycle. Some of those who disagree
say that Global Warming is being caused by the sun’s magnetic field
and it’s own natural ‘heartbeat’ and cycle.
Regardless, most of them agree that we are nearing a tipping point in
which the Earth as we know it will change dramatically and
irreversibly. 3 processes are currently being studied to track this
tipping point:
 The bleaching of Coral Reefs
 The melting of polar ice caps
 And the alteration of the thermohaline circulation

6. HOW COULD WE BE EFFECTING GLOBAL
WARMING?
 Carbon dioxide is the greenhouse gas we worry about
the most. It is the most concentrated in the
atmosphere, and it can persist for over 100 years once
emitted.
 Burning fossil fuels for energy is the primary source of
greenhouse gases. The production of man-made gases
has been growing at a faster and faster rate.
 Feedback loops of these cycles create exponential
momentum that contributes even greater to global
warming.

7. HOW GLOBAL WARMING FEEDBACK LOOPS
WORK

8. THE SOURCES OF GREENHOUSE GASES
 There are thought to be three primary contributors
to rising greenhouse gas concentrations from
humans.
 Burning of fossil fuels for energy.
 Accelerating removal of the earth's natural carbon
storage through the destruction of forests and
vegetative land for habitat, grazing, and agriculture for
livestock production.
 The third is the release of man-made greenhouse gases
through manufacturing processes.

9. WHAT IS BEING DONE TO CONTROL GLOBAL
WARMING?
Since the late 1980's,
nearly every nation on
the earth has been
participating in a plan
to reduce the
production and level
of global greenhouse
gases. These nations
are participating
through programs
such as the Kyoto
Protocol, which sets
deadlines for
emissions reductions.

10. HOW DO WE CONTRIBUTE INDIVIDUALLY TO
GLOBAL WARMING?
Consumers produce Carbon Dioxide, directly and indirectly.
When we consume energy derived from fossil fuels, the generation of
the energy (gas, heat, light) produces greenhouse gases.
All remaining energy consumed results in indirect greenhouse gas
emissions. When we buy a new product, visit an air-conditioned store
or eat an avocado that has traveled a long distance, we produce
indirect carbon dioxide emissions.
US households account for over 6 X as much carbon dioxide emissions
than the remainder of the world per year, on average.

11. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
There are 4 basic ways that you can begin to make a change
NOW:
Reduce - energy use and purchases of new products.
Reuse - as much of everything as you can. Using things for a
long time reduces carbon dioxide contributions.
Recycle - paper, plastic, and metal.
Purchase personal carbon offsets - when you can’t reduce your
emissions.

12. MAKE CHANGES TODAY AND HELP RESTORE A
HEALTHY PLANET