Global temperature variations and heat waves are caused by increased atmospheric greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. This leads to rising sea levels from melting ice caps and glaciers, changing seasonal patterns, and more frequent and intense forest fires and heat waves. Higher temperatures can negatively impact human health, agriculture, and water management through increased heat-related illnesses, drought, and crop failure. Individual solutions include reducing carbon footprints through transportation and consumption choices, while national and international cooperation on emissions reductions, alternative energy investment, and global agreements are needed for large-scale climate action.

1. Global Temperature
Variations and Heat
Waves
Linh Nguyen and Isabel Wilson
IB HL1 Geography

2. Background
Global Temperature
Variations:
Temperature changes
in different areas of
the world.
Heat Waves: A period
of unusually hot
weather

3. Causes
• Atmospheric greenhouse gas concentration
o -CO2, CH4,N2O
• Urban heat islands
o -Lack of greenery in cities may exacerbate heat load
during heat waves

4. Consequences on environment
• Rising sea level
o Melting of icecaps and
glaciers
o Destroy polar bear and
penguin habitats
• Changes in lengths of
seasons
o Affects migration
• Increased forest fires

5. Consequences on man
• Health
o increase in cardio-
respiratory illnesses
o increased infection
• Agriculture
o increased heat-
>decreased
precipitation -> drought
-> dead crops
• Water management
o drought
• Possible civil war

6. Solutions: Individual
• Make use of public transportation
• Educate others
• Appeal to the government
• Simple solutions
o reusable bags

7. Solutions: National
• Reduce cost differential between fossil fuels
and carbon-free alternatives
o Tax incentives
• Increased government research
• Emission constraints
• Invest more on public transportations
• Invest in agriculture, fishery

8. Solutions: International
• Establish an environmentally conscious
global economy
• Policy intervention
o Establish "baselines"
• Global agreement on rules
o like MDGs
• Mitigation and adaptation

9. Bibliography
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-06/rising-global-
temperatures-spur-steepest-sea-level-rise-2100-years-new-study-
finds linh check the chat bar
http://www.nrdc.org/health/files/temperatures.pdf
http://www.planetseed.com/co2-and-temperature-change
http://www.global-greenhouse-warming.com/climate-mitigation-and-
adaptation.html
http://www.epa.gov/heatisld/about/index.htm
http://www.livescience.com/19679-climate-change-seasons-shift-
mismatch.html
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1002-04.htm
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/risingsealevel_more.htm
http://ccir.ciesin.columbia.edu/nyc/pdf/q1a.pdf