Chapter 19 Module 64

Paris Climate Agreement

A pledge by 195 countries to keep global warming less than 2 C above pre-industrial levels. Also known as the Paris Climate Accords

Carbon sequestration

An approach to stabilizing greenhouse gasses by removing CO2 from the atmosphere and storing it in various places, including in agricultural soils or the deep ocean

Kyoto Protocol

An international agreement that sets a goal for global emissions of greenhouse gases from all industrialized countries to be reduced by 5.2 percent below their 1990 levels by 2012

Thermohaline circulation

An oceanic circulation pattern that drives the mixing of surface water and deep water. Driven by water that comes out of the Gulf of Mexico and moves up to Greenland where it becomes colder and saltier and sinks to the ocean floor. If this current is disrupted, much of Europe would experience significantly colder temperatures

Permafrost

As warmer temperatures cause ice caps and glaciers to melt, they also cause areas of permafrost (areas of permanently frozen ground) to melt. This causes overlying lakes to become smaller as the lake water drains deeper down into the ground. Melting can also cause substantial problems with human build structures that are anchored into the permafrost. Melting permafrost also means that massive amounts of organic material will decompose in low oxygen environments which means they will produce more methane, a powerful ghg.

The melting polar ice cap

Because northern latitudes have experienced the greatest amount of global warming, the ice cap near the North Pole has been declining over the past 3 decades.

Pied flycatcher

Bird species that has evolved to synchronize the time that its chicks hatch with the time of greatest abundance of caterpillars, which serve as food for the newly hatched birds. Recently, however, warmer spring temperatures have caused trees to produce leaves earlier in the spring. The pied flycatcher has not adapted to this change though, and so when its chicks hatch at the same time they usually do, there are not as many caterpillars available for them. The pied flycatcher population has seen steep declines as a result

How might climate change increase the range of pests?

Decreased duration of cold spells

Heat Waves

Extended periods of hot weather. Likely to become more frequent due to global warming. Increase energy demand in homes and offices. Also cause damage to crops, prompting the need for more irrigation.

Ocean currents

Global ocean currents may shift as a result of more fresh water being released from melting ice. If the ocean currents change, the distribution of heat on the planet could be disrupted.

Storm intensity

Global warming creates warm water and warm air, which increases the intensity of storms, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Results in greater destruction of coastal areas and cities

Glaciers

Global warming has caused the melting of many glaciers around the world. It is estimated that by 2030 we will no longer have any glaciers. Glaciers are not just an aesthetic treasure, they provide a critical source of water for many communities.

Fragmentation of habitats

Historically, organisms have migrated in response to climatic changes. The ability to migrate is one reason that temperature shifts have not been catastrophic in the past. Today however, fragmentation of certain habitats by roads, farms, and cities has made movement much more difficult.

Future effects of climate change predicted to occur in the next decades

Increased frequency of heat waves, fewer and less intense cold spells, changes in precipitation patterns, increased storm intensity, and changes in ocean currents

Hemlock wooly adelgid

Invasive insect from Asia that causes the death of hemlock trees in North America by feeding on sap. Its range is limited by cold temperatures, but warmer conditions in the future are expected to allow it to expand this range

Future effects on humans

Many people may have to relocate from vulnerable coastal areas; Poorer communities in vulnerable areas will require financial assistance to rebuild elsewhere; Diseases will likely increase due to warmer temperatures that allow more pests to expand and spread pathogens; Heat waves could cause more deaths especially among the elderly, Tourism will be hampered in some areas

Declining ice in Antarctica and Greenland

Measurements of lost ice mass from 2002 to 2017 have detected declines in both Antarctica and Greenland.

Effects of warming temperatures on the environment

Melting of polar ice caps, melting of glaciers, melting of permafrost, and rising sea levels. Other effects expected to happen in the future include increased heat waves, fewer cold spells, change in rainfall patterns, increased storm intensity, and shifting ocean currents

Coral bleaching

Occurs when a coral becomes stressed (usually due to higher water temperatures and/or ocean acidification) and expels most of its colorful algae, leaving an underlying ghostly white skeleton of calcium carbonate. While bleaching can be temporary, if it lasts more than a short time, the corals can die. More coral bleaching is expected as a result of global warming.

Corals

One group of organisms that are particularly sensitive to global warming because their range of tolerance is so small. With an increase in peak summer ocean temperatures of just 1 C, corals can experience "bleaching," which occurs when stressed corals eject the algae which provides them energy. The loss of this algae causes the corals to turn white.

Polar bears and global warming

Polar bears play a key role in the ecosystem of the Arctic by hunting for seals on the polar ice cap. The portion of the seal carcass that they leave behind is a significant source of food for other animals, including the Arctic fox. As the polar ice cap melts away, the polar bears can no longer reach the ice to hunt for seals. Polar bears have less time to spend on the ice and hunt for seals now, and as a result they weigh much less than they did 30 years ago. The Arctic fox will also likely decline if this trend continues.

Polar ice

The Arctic has already warmed by 1C-4C relatively recently. Though sea ice fluctuates throughout the year, there is a trend of a 13% decline per decade from 1979-2017. There was 45% less ice in this area during the period of 2006-2012. The remaining ice is thinner and more vulnerable to melting.

Global warming and organisms

These effects range from temperature-induced changes in the timing of plant flowering and animal behavior, to the ability of plants and animals to disperse to more hospitable habitats. Over the preceding 40 years, growing seasons for plants have increased by 4-16 days, with the greatest increases in the higher latitudes. Many species of plants now flower earlier, birds arrive to breed earlier, and insects emerge earlier. At the same time, the ranges occupied by different species have shifted towards both poles.

Precipitation patterns

Warmer temperatures drive increased evaporation from Earth's surface, altering rainfall patters. Regions receiving increased precipitation would benefit from greater recharge of aquifers and higher crop yields, but could also suffer from more flooding, landslides, and soil erosion. Regions getting less precipitation will find it more difficult to grow crops and access enough water

Rising sea levels

Water from melting glaciers and ice sheets on land adds to the total volume of ocean water. In addition, as ocean water becomes warmer it expands. As a result of these effects, sea levels have risen 240mm (9 inches) since 1870. Scientists predict that by the end of the 21st century sea levels could rise an additional 5-21 inches or 130-540mm. This could endanger coastal cities and island nations, making them more vulnerable to storms, flooding, and saltwater intrusion into aquifers and increased soil erosion.

Cold Spells

With global temperatures rising, we are expected to see fewer extremely cold days and fewer days below freezing. This could mean fewer deaths due to cold temperatures and a decrease in the risk of crop damage from freezing temperatures. Will also decrease the energy demand to warm buildings in winter. However, it will also likely allow pest species to expand their range.

In 2008, the US classified polar bears as

a threatened species because the decline in their ice habitat is expected to cause a decline in their population

Over the next 70 years, the Arctic is predicted to warm by

an additional 4C-7C

In 2013, the US and Russia pushed for a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) rule that would...

ban international trade in all products from polar bears including furs and teeth

Effects of climate change on organisms include all of the following EXCEPT increased growing seasons disruption of animal life cycles coral bleaching decreased species range in temperate areas

decreased species range in temperate areas

Rapid temperature changes can cause harm if organisms do not

have the option of moving to more hospitable climates and do not have sufficient time to evolve adaptations.

What is NOT a potential negative effect of climate change on agriculture? increased range of pests increased risk of droughts increased damage from severe weather events increased rates of photosynthesis

increased rates of photosynthesis

In 1997 the US did not ratify the Kyoto Protocol because

it did not limit the emissions of developing nations

In developed countries, reduction in CO2 emissions would require

major changes to manufacturing, agriculture, and infrastructure at significant expense and economic impact.

Global warming might limit the availability of fresh water in many areas because of

melting glaciers

As of 2018 _____ is the only developed country not to have signed the Kyoto Protocol

the United States