2. True or False?
There is a direct relationship between climate, oceans and
hurricanes.
3. Climate Change Defined
● What is Climate Change?
○ Rise in average surface temperatures on Earth
○ Due to?
■ Fossil fuels
■ Release of greenhouse gases into the
environment
■ Traps the heat released
● Effects our ecosystems
○ Rising sea levels
4. Main Focus
Greenhouse gases
Most come from fossil fuels - cars, factories, electricity
production
Most Responsible? CO2
Percentage of the total emitted GHGs
Methane - Landfills & Agriculture
Nitrous Oxide - Fertilizer, Refrigeration and Industrial
Processes, etc.
Fluorinated Gases - Gases used in Industrial
Applications
Created by burning fuels - oil, natural gases,
5.
6.
7. Impact of Climate Change on Storms
Effects of Global Warming
Rising Sea Levels
Increase in temperature → warm water expands
Ice sheets are melting
Higher sea level = bigger storm surges
Warmer Ocean Temperatures
Sponge accumulating in air due to human activity
Less cold, subsurface ocean water
Cooler waters serve as breaking mechanisms
8. Global Warming Policy
USA is the 2nd worst polluter in the world
Climate change law is more than 50 years old → Clean Air Act 1963
Supreme Court didn’t link GHGs/air pollutants to climate change until 2007
Kyoto Protocol
Treaty committing State Parties to reduce GHGs
Binding - Ratified in 2005
Based on premise A and B
Senate vote against treaty 95-0; withdrew U.S support
North Carolina
9. Global Warming Policy Continued
● North Carolina
○ “If your science gives you a result that you don't like, pass a law saying that the result is illegal"
■ Refusing to recognize future predictions
● Paris Agreement 2020
○ Agreement within the UNFCCC → GHG mitigation/adaptation/finance
○ USA and China recently ratified (Co-drafted/signed)
○ Pledge to cut emissions 26-28% by 2025
○ Issues with Trump
● Copenhagan Accord
10. Important Steps to Take
● Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
● Use less heat and air conditioning
● Build energy-efficient products
● Turn off lights, appliances when not in use
● Cautious of transportation
● Limit use of hot water
