Presentation from a Cary Institute of Ecosystems Studies public forum on climate change by Cary President Dr. William Schlesinger.

1. The Science
Behind Climate
Change
William H. Schlesinger, President
22 October 2011

5. Burns et al. 2007. Recent climate trends and implications for water resources in the
Catskill Mountain region, New York, USA. J. Hydrology 336:155-170.

6. Annual mean water temperature at Poughkeepsie
14
Annual Mean Temperature (deg C)
13
12
11
10
1945 1955 1965 1975 1985 1995 2005
Year

7. Tree Swallow
180
160
y = -0.595x + 1267.
140 R² = 0.437
Julian Day
120
Series1
100
Linear (Series1)
80
60
40
20
1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000
Year

9. Mean Temperature (∆D)
-370
-380
-390
-400
-410
-420
12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0
Years Before Present
CO2 (ppmv)
400
350
300
250
200
12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0
Years Before Present

11. Milly et al., 2005

13. Rondout Creek, Kingston, NY
Photo : Chris Bowser, HREP © Chris Bowser, NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program

14. Burns et al. 2007. Recent climate trends and implications for water resources in the Catskill Mountain
region, New York, USA. J. Hydrology 336:155-170.

17. www.caryinstitute.org

19. Number of days minimum temperature less than
0 degrees F
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0