Greenhouse Gases, Global Warming,Climate Change and Connecticut

Laurel KohlEdited by Ms. Mandel

Institute for Sustainable EnergyEastern Connecticut State University

D23

Explain how the accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere increases Earth’s “greenhouse” effect and may cause climate changes

Learning Targets

• I can explain the Greenhouse Effect• I can name the effects of global warming• I can identify strategies to reduce climate

change/global warming

What Do You Think About When Someone Says Global Warming?

• ?• ?• ?• ?• ?

Greenhouse EffectWhat happens in the greenhouse effect?

Greenhouse Effect

• Is the greenhouse effect necessary for life on Earth? Why?– Yes. Keeps the Earth at a temperature that can

sustain life.• How do human activities intensify the

warming effect?– Adds greenhouse gases to the atmosphere

Greenhouse Effect

• What gases are considered greenhouse gases?– CO2

– CH4

– H2O

– N2O

Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Fossil fuel combustion

• Land use patterns

• Deforestation • Land clearing • Agriculture• Incinerators

CARBON DIOXIDE

• Cud-chewing processes of domesticated animals

• Flooded rice or paddy fields

• Waste dumps• Oil drilling• Coal mining• Leaking gas

pipelines

METHANE

• Fertilizer application

• Fossil fuel combustion

NITROUS OXIDE

Source: http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/climate/causes.htm

Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Industrial processes

Fluorinated Gases

Source: http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/climate/causes.htm

Does CO2 have the Greatest Heat-Trapping Abilities?

• No–CH4

• 20X

–N2O• 300X

www.epa.gov

What regions of the United States emit the greatest amounts of CO2?

• Large population of people

• More industry

Why?

• Northeast US• Areas with large cities

http://news.uns.purdue.edu/images/+2008/gurneyvulcan1.jpg

Learning Target Checkpoint

• What is the greenhouse effect?

What has been happening to the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?• Increasing• What happens when

the amount of GHGs in the atmosphere increases?

• Accelerated greenhouse effect

• Global Warming

What are the possible effects from Global Warming?

• Rising sea levels• Threatened cultures• Increased agricultural

yields• Decreased snowpack• Severe storms• Water shortages• Changing range of

diseases• Loss of biodiversity

• Species extinction• Changes in precipitation• Flooding• Reduced tourism• Heat waves • Reduced growing

seasons• Receding glaciers• Changing forests• Climate change

What does Climate Change mean in Connecticut?

Predicted Changes in New England Average Annual Temperature

2.5 – 7₀F

(from 4-12 ₀F by the end of this

century depending on the

scenario)

http://www.climatechoices.org/ne/impacts_ne/temperatures.html

From National Weather Service, Climate Prediction Center http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/regional_monitoring/12cavg0.gif

CT about 50 ₀F

Average Temperature ₀F

Average temp (₀F)October 2008

Average temp (₀F)Jan-Dec 2007

From National Weather Service, Climate Prediction Center http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/regional_monitoring/12cavg0.gif

CHANGES IN AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE

Your average October day, 5 degrees warmer (~55 ₀F) in 2040

Changing Climate —

What would Bridgeport feel like if it was more like a Norfolk, VA climate?

Or Savannah, GA??

www.climatechoices.org and www.nrcc.cornell.edu

Changing Climate —

What would Bridgeport feel like if it was more like a Norfolk, VA climate?Or Savannah, GA??

www.climatechoices.org and www.nrcc.cornell.edu

Normal Minimum Temperature

Normals 1961-1990 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual

BRIDGEPORT, CT 21.9 23.2 30.9 39.8 50.0 59.1 65.7 65.1 57.6 47.1 38.2 27.6 43.9

NORFOLK, VA 30.9 32.3 39.3 47.1 56.8 65.2 70.0 69.4 64.2 52.9 43.8 35.4 50.6

SAVANNAH, GA 38.1 41.1 48.3 54.5 62.9 69.2 72.4 72.2 67.8 56.9 48.1 41.0 56.0

Sea Level Rise

• Now rising 8 inches per century

• Likely to rise another 22 inches by 2100

• Cost to protect Connecticut’s coastline from a 20-inch sea level rise could be $0.5-$3 billion

Erosion of coastlines and beaches Loss of habitats Affects on tourism and industries

http://www.nextgenerationearth.org/contents/view/15 and http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/files/connecticut_factsheet_v2.pdf

From the Connecticut Health Foundation http://data.cthealth.org/Portals/0/documents/env_emergency_mgt.pdf

AquaticEcosystems

FloodCoasts

From the Connecticut Health Foundation http://data.cthealth.org/Portals/0/documents/env_airqualityindex.pdf

10

8

73

21Ecosystem

Health

Union of Concerned Scientistshttp://www.climatechoices.org/ne/impacts_ne/heat_hartford.html

Connecticut and Regional Effects

Plants and Animals

• May become more vulnerable to pest insects and diseases

• May need to compete with invasive non-native

• May produce fewer seeds (beechnuts, hickory nuts, and acorns) and fruit (wild cherries) that many animals

depend on for food

• May change their distribution patterns and species combinations

• Subjected to more frequent fires, floods, more erosion

• Habitats retreat into Canada and higher altitudeshttp://www.fs.fed.us/nrs/news/review/review-vol01.pdfhttp://www.snefci.org/

Trees

From US Global Change Research Programhttp://www.usgcrp.gov/usgcrp/Library/nationalassessment/19FO.pdf

Habitat Retreat

Algal BloomWarmer seas could contribute to the increased intensity, duration, and extent of harmful algal blooms. These blooms damage habitat and shellfish nurseries, can be toxic to humans, and can carry bacteria like those causing cholera.

InsectsWarming and other climate changes could expand the habitat and infectivity of disease-carrying insects. Lyme disease, which is carried by ticks, has increased in Connecticut.

Source: http://www.nextgenerationearth.org/contents/view/15

Learning Target Checkpoint

• What are the effects of global warming?

Is it All Doom and Gloom?

• No• What can be done?

– Use less fossil fuels– Get involved– Drive a fuel efficient vehicle– Conserve energy at home– Recycle– Spread the word

What Types of Green Energy Does CT Have Available?

• Wind• Solar• Geothermal• Hydroelectric• Biomass

What is Connecticut Doing About Climate Change?

• CT Climate Action Plan (2005)

• CT Act for Energy Independence

• Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)

First Auction Sept. 2008

Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont

$38.5 million in proceeds

Funding for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

What is Connecticut Doing About Climate Change?

• Green Schools Legislation

• CT Energy Efficiency Fund and CT Clean Energy Fund

• Kids’ Initiatives• Keep Connecticut Cool Contest

Learning Target Checkpoint

• What can be done to slow down global warming?

ResourcesUnion of Concerned Scientist’s Climate Choices

www.climatechoices.orgNortheast Regional Climate Center

www.nrcc.cornell.edu Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

www.ipcc.ch Fourth Assessment Report (2007) www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg1/ar4-wg1-spm.pdf

Connecticut Climate Changewww.ctclimatechange.org

Connecticut Energy Advisory Boardwww.ctenergy.org

ResourcesConnecticut Energy Info

www.ctenergyinfo.com CT Energy Education

www.ctenergyeducation.com Keep Connecticut Cool Contest

www.keepconnecticutcool.orgUS Forest Service

http://nrs.fs.fed.us/disturbance/climate_change/

http://www.fs.fed.us/nrs/news/review/review-vol01.pdf

Woods Hole Research Center, New England Forests www.whrc.org/new_england/forest_ecol.htm