GLOBAL WARMING REASONS AND EFFECTS ON ENVIRONMENT

global wARMING

1. Presented by Pro. Sweta Singh, Dpt.of Zoology, R.N.M College Hunterganj

2. The Climate is Changing
•Temperatures are rising
•Sea levels are rising
•The ocean is acidifying
•Climate change is reflected
in water cycle changes and
in extreme weather
Temperature rise, indicated by color
(red=higher rate of increase). Earth’s surface
temperature has risen ~1.3˚ F since 1850.
I

3. Ecological Impacts
Living things are intimately connected to their
physical surroundings.
Ecosystems are affected by changes in:
–temperature
–rainfall/moisture
–pH
–salinity (saltiness)
–activities & distribution of other species
–…many other factors

4. Ecological Impacts
As a result of climate change, species and
ecosystems are experiencing changes in:
–ranges
–timing of biological activity
–growth rates
–relative abundance of species
–cycling of water and nutrients
–the risk of disturbance from
fire, insects, and invasive
species

5. Ecological Impacts
•As a result of climate change, species and
ecosystems are experiencing changes in:
–ranges
–timing of biological activity
–growth rates
–relative abundance of species
–cycling of water and nutrients
–the risk of disturbance from
fire, insects, and invasive
species

6. Range Shifts
Species are relocating to areas
with more tolerable climate
conditions.
Range shifts particularly
threaten species that:
–cannot move fast enough
–depend on conditions that are
becoming more rare (like sea ice)
Plant hardiness zone maps, 1990 and
2006. Most zones shifted northward in
this period.

7. Ecological Impacts
As a result of climate change, species and
ecosystems are experiencing changes in:
–ranges
–timing of biological activity
–growth rates
–relative abundance of species
–cycling of water and nutrients
–the risk of disturbance from
fire, insects, and invasive
species

8. Timing of Biological Activity
Some seasonal biological
activities are happening
15-20 days earlier than
several decades ago:
–Trees blooming earlier
–Migrating birds arriving earlier
–Butterflies emerging earlier
Changes in timing differ from
species to species, so
ecological interactions are
disrupted.
European pied
flycatcher chicks are
now born later than the
caterpillars they eat.

9. Global Changes, Local Impacts
Although climate change is global, the
ecological impacts are often local.
What’s happening in your backyard?

10. The Role of Human Beings
Causes of Climate Change
•It is very likely that mostof the
climate change in the current era is
the result of human activities.
–Human activities have increased
concentrations of greenhouse gases
in the atmosphere.
–These gases trap heat and cause
the Earth to warm.

11. The Role of Human Beings
Rate of Climate Change
•Climate change in the current era is expected to be extremely rapid
compared to transitions in and out of past ice ages.
•Ecosystems are more vulnerable to changes that happen rapidly.

12. The Role of Human Beings
Compounding Factors
•Human activities have many other effects on ecosystems.
•These effects compound the effects of climate change, making it
more difficult for ecosystems to adapt.
–Pollution
–Habitat fragmentation
–Invasive species
–Overfishing
–Manipulation of water sources
–…and much more

13. The Role of Human Beings
Improving the Outlook
•Changes in activities at the personal, community, and national
levels can affect the rate of future climate change and species’
abilities to adapt.
•Some of the areas where changes in human activities could help
species adapt include:
–Approaches to agriculture
–Water management practices
–Energy sources and use
–Transportation
–Pollution remediation
–Biological conservation
–…and much more

14. The climate challenge is large and complex.
But it is very likely that many people, working from many
angles, can help address climate change and its
ecological consequences.