The document discusses the impacts of climate change and global warming. It summarizes that the overall driver of human impact on the Earth is the destruction of biophysical resources and ecosystems. It then provides examples of how climate change is causing glaciers and snowpack to recede, more frequent extreme weather events like fires and floods, sea level rise threatening coastal areas, and potential collapse of ocean food chains due to acidification if carbon emissions continue rising unabated. The impacts are projected to worsen the more the temperature increases globally.

1. Leading Sustainability
Dr. Jennifer Edmonds
Associate Professor, Statistics & Operations Management
Wilkes University

2. For humans,
sustainability is the
potential for long-term
maintenance of well
being, which has
environmental,
economic, and social
dimensions.
Sustainability?
The overall driver of …sustainability is the capacity to endure.
human impact on
Earth systems is the
destruction of
biophysical resources,
and especially, the
Earth's ecosystems.

3. Carbon dioxide and other air pollution that is
collecting in the atmosphere like a thickening
blanket, trapping the sun's heat and causing the
The “Carbon Blanket”: planet to warm up. (URL)
Getting Thicker Every Year
Pre-industrial: 280 PPM ≈ 1950
Today: 384 PPM
2050: ??
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

4. FAQ 1.3, Figure 1
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

5. Carbon dioxide and other air pollution that is
collecting in the atmosphere like a thickening
blanket, trapping the sun's heat and causing the
The “Carbon Blanket”: planet to warm up. (URL)
Getting Thicker Every Year
Automobiles, the
second largest
source, create Pre-industrial: 280 PPM ≈ 1950
nearly 1.5 billion Coal-burning power plants
tons of CO2 Today: the largest U.S. source
are 384 PPM
annually. of carbon dioxide
2050: ??
pollution -- they produce
2.5 billion tons every
year..
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

6. 384pm Today’s
level
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

7. Clear Impacts: 1º F degree warming
Pasterze Glacier, Austria - 1875 Pasterze Glacier, Austria – 2004
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

8. Is the earth really getting hotter?
Yes. Although local temperatures fluctuate
naturally, over the past 50 years the average
global temperature has increased at the fastest
rate in recorded history. The 20th century's last
two decades were the hottest in 400 years…
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

9. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Instrumental_Temperature_Record.png
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

10. Average temperatures
have climbed 1.4º F (0.8º
C) around the world
since 1880, much of this
in recent decades (according to
NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies)
Is the earth really getting hotter?
Yes. Although local temperatures fluctuate
naturally, over the past 50 years the average
global temperature has increased at the fastest
rate in recorded history. The 20th century's last
two decades were the hottest in 400 years…
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1206_041206_global_warming.html http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/f101.asp
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

11. Temperate glacier retreat is global
Portage Glacier, Alaska - 1914 Portage Glacier, Alaska – 2004
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

12. Portland, Oregon
1984 2002
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

13. the Rhone glacier
Switzerland
1850 200_
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

15. Are warmer temperatures causing bad things to
happen?
Global warming is already causing damage in many parts
of the World.
 In 2002, Colorado, Arizona and Oregon endured their worst
wildfire seasons ever.
 The same year, drought created severe dust storms in
Montana, Colorado and Kansas, and floods caused
hundreds of millions of dollars in damage in Texas,
Montana and North Dakota.
 Since the early 1950s, snow accumulation has declined 60
percent and winter seasons have shortened in some areas of
the Cascade Range in Oregon and Washington.
 In 2003, extreme heat waves caused more than 20,000
deaths in Europe and more than 1,500 deaths in India.
http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/f101.asp
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

17. Global Impacts
 The BAD:
(worse as it warms more)
 Water shortages from snowpack
loss
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

20. Global Impacts
 The BAD:
(worse as it warms more)
 Water shortages from snowpack
loss
 Increased floods and droughts
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

24. Global Impacts
 The BAD:
(worse as it warms more)
 Water shortages from snowpack
loss
 Increased floods and droughts
 Extinction of many species &
ecosystems…
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

25. Global Impacts
 The BAD:
(worse as it warms more)
 Water shortages from snowpack
loss
 Increased floods and droughts
 Extinction of many species &
ecosystems…
 More heat related illnesses and
deaths…
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

27. Global Impacts
 The BAD:
(worse as it warms more)
 Water shortages from snowpack
loss
 Increased floods and droughts
 Extinction of many species &
ecosystems…
 More heat related illnesses and
deaths…
 More intense hurricanes and
typhoons
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

29. http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/24452

31. Global Impacts
 The SCARY
 Ocean acidification: potential
collapse of marine foodchains
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

32. Dire warming scenarios for world’s reefs
Experts predict ’crumbling frameworks’ if CO2 emissions continue to grow
Ove Hoegh-Guldberg
These images published with a coral acidification study in the journal Science reflect
scenarios of carbon dioxide's impact on reef ecosystems. The left image represents an
intact system at current CO2 levels; the center image shows coral decay with increased
CO2; and the right image shows a devastated system with even higher CO2 emissions.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22185971/

33. Global Impacts
 The SCARY
 Ocean acidification: potential
collapse of marine foodchains
 Fire-driven deforestation of
Amazon: accelerated warming
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

34. Global Impacts
 The SCARY
 Ocean acidification: potential
collapse of marine foodchains
 Fire-driven deforestation of
Amazon: accelerated warming
 Methane release from tundra:
accelerated warming
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

37. Global Impacts
 The SCARY
 Ocean acidification: potential
collapse of marine foodchains
 Fire-driven deforestation of
Amazon: accelerated warming
 Methane release from tundra:
accelerated warming
 Continental Ice Sheet Collapse:
sea level rise of 35-40 feet
“…the destruction of biophysical resources, and especially, the Earth's ecosystems.”

39. The overall driver of
human impact on
Earth systems is the
destruction of
biophysical resources,
and especially, the
Earth's ecosystems.
Leading Sustainability
Moving towards
sustainability is also a …sustainability is the capacity to endure.
social challenge that
entails international
and national law, urban Leadership is …
planning and transport, …organizing a group of people to achieve a common goal
local and individual
lifestyles and ethical
consumerism.

41. For a small company, going green might
mean using recycled paper products,
installing solar panels and using organically
grown materials.
For a large company, it might mean
investing millions of dollars in renewable
energy research, slashing carbon dioxide
emissions and drastically reducing energy
consumption.

42. …companies are increasingly learning
that green initiatives are not just good
P.R., they're good business.
“They're not just doing this to try to save
the planet…They're seeing the huge
economic potential. Instead of simply
growing the bottom line by reducing costs,
they're growing the top line by increasing
revenue. This is creating new products and
new markets and in some cases new
companies.”

43. Explains why America’s transit system is the
Entertainment/Communication
worst in the industrialised world. Two
generations ago, Americans depended on
Industries go GREEN
thriving privately owned streetcar lines across
the nation, but then the auto and oil industry, led
by General Motors, bought and dismantled the
streetcar lines. The private auto stopped being a
 Movies/Documentaries
luxury and became a necessity.
Shows that global
warming is already
hurting the Pacific
Islands
Connects asthma
and other
A 1997 PBS documentarydiseases
respiratory
about consumerism, pollution
with air
emphasising how muchsuburban
and of the
world’s fossil fuel supply is
sprawl
consumed by the United States.

44. Entertainment/Communication
Industries go GREEN
 Movies
 Music
Live Earth was a series of worldwide concerts held on July 7, 2007, that
initiated a three-year campaign to combat climate change. The concerts
brought together more than 150 musical acts in eleven locations around the
world and were broadcast to a mass global audience through televisions,
radio, and streamed via the Internet

45. Artists clearly appear to be backing
green innovations. For instance, [a]
new album … was issued in a
recycled-paper Digipak; the carbon
dioxide used to make and ship the
disc is being offset with contributions
to renewable energy projects
Virgin Entertainment
Group North America VP
of marketing … revealed at
NARM that the chain is
converting all its shopping
bags and point-of-purchase
material to recycled stock
Warner Music Group, which has
launched a companywide initiative
to reduce or offset greenhouse gas
Universal Music Group has
emissions, reported at NARM that
reissued its Millennium
it has also been using ecologically
greatest-hits series in eco-
enhanced paper for the last month
friendly packages that replace
the CD booklet with a single
card, featuring only the cover
of the album on the front

46. Entertainment/Communication
Industries go GREEN
 Movies
 Music
 Consumer Electronics
 How to GREEN your electronics

47. Consumer electronics aren't
exactly easy on the environment -
- they consume electricity that
contributes to global warming,
and toxins leach out of them
when they end up in landfills.
…smart power
adapters that don't
waste as much
electricity, batteries
that are easier to
recycle, and
components made
from plants
…a laptop with a
plastic case made from
corn rather than
…the EPA will be announcing a petroleum products
campaign to provide consumers
with more places to turn in cell
phones for recycling.

48. …high prices at the gas pump,
concerns about global warming and an
increase in production sent hybrid car
Auto Industry sales soaring from around 9,000 in
2002 to above 200,000 in 2005,
according to Hybridcars.com
 Hybrids - http://hybridcars.com/
Hybrid cars are projected to make up
5 percent of the U.S. market by 2013,
according to J.D. Power and
Associates, a market research firm, up
from 1.2 percent in 2005

52. Auto Industry
 Hybrids - http://hybridcars.com/
 New Efficiency Standards

53. Real Estate goes GREEN
Green Building Features …minimize energy consumption.
 Energy Efficiency •two water-cooled chillers,
•daylight dimmers,
•occupancy sensors,
•skylights,
•energy-efficient lights,
•high-efficiency motors,
•variable flow pumping systems,
•variable heating and cooling systems,
•insulated windows

54. Real Estate goes GREEN
…avoid generating unnecessary debris
A healthy indoor environment is
Naturalminimize siteincorporates
and to landscaping demolition.
Green Building Features a critical safety concern in a
…minimize energy consumption.
many environmental factors into
generate or purchase wind-powered
laboratory setting.
 Energy Efficiency Reuseproperty’s design, including
the of materials avoided disposal
•costswater-cooled chillers,plants,
electricity which matches the
Water in the building will be
two and was sufficient to complete
•conserveddimmers, energy electronic
soilelectrical consumption
type, use of native
Photovoltaic (solar ensure indoor air
Measures taken the use of producing
daylight witharea,and fill work
to
 Landscape Design •occupancy on plumbingthebenefits
minimal turf
the landscaping minimal need
cells) awnings shade fixtures
sensors sensors, included:
quality at the lab office
•appropriatein ongreenhouse gases
...achieve environmental and
for irrigation, mulches,
volatile organic compound (VOC),
skylights,building will recycle
windows restrooms.
The the outside and
•muchwould haveofwaste gain, thus
by reducing maintenance schedules.
reducecontrol lights, it generates
strict the solid formaldehyde
of glare and heat
energy-efficient been emitted from
•construction the motors,of cooling
thatMaterials used in construction
reducing the amount off-gassing
Outside, native
materials;
high-efficiency highestthat require
•variable content are installation, to
By conventional plants sources
using native power recycled
contained
materials before requiring
treesflow needed. systems,
and pumping
shrubs
•variablewater andandwell-suited
little watering, available.
little heating all been work;
cleaning ofhave duct planted
resist pests,systems,
cooling we
•insulatedfilters before occupancy,
the climate
replace windows
reduce the need for irrigation
use of environmentally preferable
and pesticides
cleaning materials.

55. Real Estate goes GREEN
…avoid generating unnecessary debris
A healthy indoor environment is
and to minimize site demolition.
Green Building Features a critical safety concern in a
…minimize energy consumption.
generate or purchase wind-powered
laboratory setting.
 Energy Efficiency •costswater-cooled chillers, complete
Reuse of materials avoided disposal
electricity which matches the
two and was sufficient to be
Water in the building will
•conserveddimmers, energy electronic
electrical consumption
Photovoltaic (solar ensure indoor air
Measures taken the use of producing
daylight with to and fill work
 Landscape Design •occupancy on plumbingthebenefits
the landscaping
cells) awnings shade fixtures
sensors sensors, included:
quality at the lab office
 Water Efficiency •volatile organicgreenhouse gases
...achieve environmental
skylights,building will recycle
windows on compound (VOC),
The in restrooms.
the outside and
•muchwould haveofwaste gain, thus
by reducing
reducecontrol lights, it generates
strict the solid formaldehyde
of glare and heat
energy-efficient been emitted from
•construction the motors,of cooling
thatMaterials used in construction
high-efficiency highestoff-gassing
reducing the amount
Outside, native
materials;
•variable content available.
contained
conventional power sources
recycled
materials before installation,
treesflow needed.requiring
and pumping systems,
shrubs
•variablewater of all been work;
little heating and cooling systems,
cleaning have duct planted
•insulatedfilters before occupancy,
replace windows
use of environmentally preferable
cleaning materials.

56. Real Estate goes GREEN
…avoid generating unnecessary debris
A healthy indoor environment is
and to minimize site demolition.
Green Building Features a critical safety concern in a
…minimize energy consumption.
generate or purchase wind-powered
laboratory setting.
 Energy Efficiency •costswater-cooled chillers, complete
Reuse of materials avoided disposal
electricity which matches the
two and was sufficient to
•Measuresdimmers, energy producing
electrical consumption
Photovoltaic (solar ensure indoor air
daylight taken to and fill work
 Landscape Design •occupancy environmental benefits
the landscaping
cells) awnings shade the office
quality at the lab included:
...achieve sensors,
•volatile organicgreenhouse gases
 Water Efficiency skylights,building will recycle
windows on compound (VOC),
The the outside and
•muchwould haveofwaste gain, thus
by reducing
reducecontrol lights, it generates
strict the solid formaldehyde
of glare and heat
energy-efficient been emitted from
 Waste Handling •construction the motors,of cooling
thatMaterials used in construction
high-efficiency highestoff-gassing
reducing the amount
materials;
•variable content available.
contained
conventional power sources
recycled
materials before installation,
flow needed. systems,
pumping
•variable heating all duct work;
cleaning of and cooling systems,
•insulatedfilters before occupancy,
replace windows
use of environmentally preferable
cleaning materials.

57. Real Estate goes GREEN
…avoid generating unnecessary debris
A healthy indoor environment is
and to minimize site demolition.
Green Building Features a critical safety concern in a
…minimize energy consumption.
generate or purchase wind-powered
laboratory setting.
 Energy Efficiency •costswater-cooled chillers, complete
Reuse of materials avoided disposal
electricity which matches the
two and was sufficient to
•Measuresdimmers, energy producing
electrical consumption
Photovoltaic (solar ensure indoor air
daylight taken to and fill work
 Landscape Design •occupancy environmental benefits
the landscaping
cells) awnings shade the office
quality at the lab included:
...achieve sensors,
•volatile organicgreenhouse gases
 Water Efficiency skylights, on compound (VOC),
windows the outside and
•that would haveofin construction
by reducing
energy-efficient been emittedthus
reducecontrol lights, gain,
strict glare and formaldehyde
heat
 Waste Handling •construction the motors,of cooling
Materials used
reducing the amount off-gassing
materials;
high-efficiency power sources
from
•variable content highestsystems,
contained
conventional
flow needed.
pumping
recycled
materials before installation,
 Solar Power •variable heating all duct work;
available.
cleaning of and cooling systems,
•insulatedfilters before occupancy,
replace windows
use of environmentally preferable
cleaning materials.

58. Real Estate goes GREEN
…avoid generating unnecessary debris
A healthy indoor environment is
and to minimize site demolition.
Green Building Features a critical safety concern in a
…minimize energy consumption.
generate or purchase wind-powered
laboratory setting.
 Energy Efficiency •costswater-cooled chillers, complete
Reuse of materials avoided disposal
electricity which matches the
two and was sufficient to
•Measuresdimmers, ensure indoor air
electrical consumption
daylight taken to and fill work
 Landscape Design •occupancy environmental benefits
the landscaping
quality at the lab included:
...achieve sensors,
•volatile organicgreenhouse gases
 Water Efficiency skylights, compound (VOC),
•that would haveofin construction
by reducing
strict control formaldehyde
energy-efficient been emitted from
Materials usedlights,
 Waste Handling •construction the motors,off-gassing
materials;
high-efficiency highest sources
•variable content available.
contained
conventional power recycled
materials before installation,
flow pumping systems,
 Solar Power •variable heating all duct work;
cleaning of and cooling systems,
•insulatedfilters before occupancy,
replace windows
 Indoor Air Quality use of environmentally preferable
cleaning materials.

59. Real Estate goes GREEN
…avoid generating unnecessary debris
and to minimize site demolition.
Green Building Features …minimize energy consumption.
 Energy Efficiency •costswater-cooled chillers, complete
Reuse of or purchase wind-powered
generate materials avoided disposal
two and was sufficient to
•daylight dimmers, and fill work
electricity which matches the
 Landscape Design •occupancy sensors,
the electrical consumption
landscaping
 Water Efficiency •skylights,
•energy-efficient lights, benefits
...achieve environmental
 Waste Handling •high-efficiencygreenhouse gases
Materials used in construction
by reducing
contained the motors, recycled
•that would have highestsystems,
been emitted from
variable content available.
flow pumping
 Solar Power •variable heating and cooling systems,
conventional power sources
•insulated windows
 Indoor Air Quality
 Green Power

60. Real Estate goes GREEN
Green Building Features …avoid generating unnecessary debris
and to minimize site demolition.
 Energy Efficiency
Reuse of materials avoided disposal
 Landscape Design costs and was sufficient to complete
the landscaping and fill work
 Water Efficiency
 Waste Handling
Materials used in construction
 Solar Power contained the highest recycled
content available.
 Indoor Air Quality
 Green Power
 Environmentally
Preferable Materials

61. GREEN Careers
 http://www.greenjobs.com/public/index.aspx
"Green" careers are no longer just the
 http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/
realm of environmental biologists and
conservationists.
 http://jobs.treehugger.com/
Many new green jobs are built around
investment in clean technologies and
the business community's focus on
environmental sustainability.
The green revolution has put new twists
on existing careers (like architecture), but
jobs in engineering, design and corporate
social responsibility are booming.

62. Emissions Trader
In a market economy, brokers can trade just about
anything on an exchange, including greenhouse
gas emissions. Companies have been able to
voluntarily trade emissions credits on the Chicago
Climate Exchange since 2003. If the U.S. ever
adopts a mandatory emissions credit trading
system (like Europe's) expect this field to pop.

63. Environmental Architect
With new building codes promoting energy
efficiency, "green" architecture is booming. In 1994,
the U.S. Green Building Council developed a set of
standards for environmentally sustainable
construction. In the decade that followed, many
architects and developers sought accreditation.

64. Sustainability Analyst
Just as corporations are hiring managers to ensure
that they are engaging in sustainable business
practices, many financial firms are examining
sustainability industry-wide. Even Dow Jones has
gotten in on the game: In 1999, they launched
several indexes to track the performances of
companies with a focus here.

65. Lobbyist
As business faces increased environmental
legislation in Washington, corporations will seek
help from lawmakers in the form of tax breaks
and grants to pursue clean technology
investments. Expect a greater presence on Capitol
Hill from lobbyists working in the energy and
environmental fields.

66. Renewable Fuels Engineer/Biologist
The financial rewards associated with the development of renewable
fuels are driving much of the business community's investment in the
environment. As long as this money keeps coming in, there will be a
need for engineers who can develop more efficient wind turbines and
solar panels, and biologists who can develop cleaner--and cheaper--
biofuels

67. Climate Risk Analyst
The insurance industry stands to be greatly
affected by climate change, and many companies
are now offering policies to promote energy
efficiency and help reduce global warming.
Climate analysts provide the industry with
information to determine the risks associated with
extreme flooding, storms or temperature changes.

68. Sustainability Coordinator
Dozens of multinational corporations have
pledged to help the environment through their
business practices. For example, Coca-Cola asked
the World Wildlife Fund to help them conserve
water. More companies are looking for a single
manager to oversee these efforts

69. Ecological Economist
Who puts a price tag on the ecosystem? Economists,
of course. They determine, for example, what a ton
of carbon dioxide pollution costs, or the economic
value of keeping a rainforest intact. Outside of
academia, non-governmental organizations and the
federal government are major employers of
ecological economists

70. GREEN Careers
 http://www.greenjobs.com/public/index.aspx
 http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/
 http://jobs.treehugger.com/

71. Restaurants go GREEN
Founded in 1980, Whole
Foods has grown to 180
stores in the U.S.,
Canada and Britain.
Organic food sales
jumped from $3.59
billion eight years ago to
$13.8 billion in 2005.