What is climate change?
Climate change is a “change in the state of the
climate that can be identified (e.g., by using
statistical tests) by changes in the mean and/or the
variability of its properties and that persists for an
extended period, typically decades or longer. Climate
change may be due to natural internal processes or
external forcings, or to persistent anthropogenic
changes in the composition of the atmosphere or in
land use”. (definition by IPCC, 2011)
The carbon cycle
The carbon cycle and climate
change
While CO2 represents only 0.04% of the atmosphere, it is of
great importance for the energy balance of our planet. It acts
like a blanket over the planet by trapping long-wave radiation,
which would otherwise radiate heat away from the planet
(greenhouse effect). With the increase of the amount of CO2, its
warming effect increases.
Nowadays, CO2 is the largest contributor (63%, with an increase
by the year) to this effect by long-lived gases. Any additional
non-naturally derived CO2 in the atmosphere will remain for a
very long time (thousands of years) considering that natural
mechanisms of erosion and sedimentation to process the added
CO2 are too slow.
What causes climate change?
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oceanic processes (such as oceanic circulation),
variations in solar radiation received by Earth,
Plate tectonics, volcanic eruptions,
human-induced alterations of the natural world, causing global
warming……
(Source:http://geointegrations.blogspot.com/2010/03/climate-change-humor.html)
…or not? (climate change debate)
What do you think?
Source: http://mmazroui.kau.edu.sa/ImageGallery.aspx?Site_ID=0003580&LNG=EN&Gal=450
Greece_climate change facts
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Rise of temperature between 3.1-5.1 until 2100. Average
temperature during summer has already risen by 1.9 in
central Athens
Desertification in the south, that extends to the north
Extended drought, more days of heatwave, more forest fires,
more floodings
Fresh water shortage, especially on the islands, polluted water
in agricultural or industrial areas – poor wastewater
treatment, or complete lack of it
Fish and insect species from Africa have been widely observed
in the greek waters, as well as viruses/diseases they carry
Sudden and severe weather phenomena, unusual
temperatures, abnormal transition between seasons.
Why?
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Almost complete dependence on coal and oil – average
energy consumption in Greece rises almost 2.7 % yearly, every
greek produces 12,5 t of greenhouse gas per year which is
12% above the European average
Poor motivation and loads of beaurocracy concerning
alternative sources of energy
Irrational use of pesticides and irrigation in agriculture, overfishing in the sea that has almost eliminated some local
species, poor management of water resources in the islands
Badly organized waste management and waste treatment
systems
Environmental awareness of citizens has still a long way to
go…
What the future holds…
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higher incidence of heat waves, and droughts.
Mediterranean droughts would start earlier in the
year and last longer
lengthening and a flattening of the tourism season by
2030-more pressure for water supply and energy
demand
Endangered fauna and flora, extincting species
Severe and “unusual” weather phenomena
(rainstorms, droughts)
…as if that wasn’t enough
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Even more forest fires, soil erosion, floodings
Damages in agriculture and animal farming
Intolerable conditions in the big cities because of
pollution and humidity
Overall decrease of well being/more threats to
health of citizens
..and one good thing about the
crisis in Greece…
The produced amount of household waste and
energy consumption have clearly reduced!
Thank you!
Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/021447.html