Addressing Global Warming and Dimming: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions
This document examines the intertwined phenomena of global warming and global dimming. It highlights the increase in greenhouse gases, primarily from human activities, leading to a 1°C global temperature rise over the last 40 years, with projections suggesting an increase of up to 3°C in the next 40 years. The role of aerosols and their impact on cloud formation and solar irradiance is discussed, emphasizing the darker world and its consequences, including limited photosynthesis and potential famine. It proposes solutions such as reducing particulates and CO2 sequestration to combat these challenges.
Addressing Global Warming and Dimming: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions
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Presentation Transcript
Deadly Alliance Global Warming and Global Dimming
Heating of earth’s surface by reflected sunlight Increase in greenhouse gases promotes Majority attributed to anthropogenic causes. Last 40 years 1°C increase globally Next 40 years maybe 3°C? UT professor using coral samples to collect data Global Warming
Trend of Temperature with CO2 *Picture from: http://www.brighton73.freeserve.co.uk/gw/paleo/20000yrfig.htm
Aerosols – fine particulate matter in form of solids or liquids Usually from chemical or combustion processes Are usually ‘washed-out’ in rain Sulfur containing compounds Forms Clouds – diffuse fraction of solar irradiance Change optical properties of clouds Lack of rain Famine and drought of 80’s in Ethiopia. Global Dimming – what is it?
Clouds at Molecular Level Regular occurring particles Aerosol particles * From NASA’s eath observatory website
Consequences of Global dimming • World gets darker • Plant photosynthesis light limited • Less solar energy possible • Masking effects of global warming • True global warming affect could already be in the 3°C-5°C range. • Clouds are chemically changed • Causes famine and drought • Acid rain formation
NOx total = 41 Fossil Fuels - 21 Aircraft - 0.58 Lightning - 7 NH3 total = 54 Domestic Animals - 21.6 Oceans - 8.2 SO2 total = 88 Fossil fuels - 76 Volcanoes - 9.3 H2S total = 25 Oceans - 24 VOC’s total = 236 Anthropogenic - 109 Terpenes - 127 Global Dimming – sources *From IPCC Third Assessment Report
Solution: Attack Global Dimming and Global Warming together • Reductions of particulates recently show brightening affect. • Leads to more apparent global warming consequences. • Temp increase in wake of 9/11 • 1.1°C in 3 days • Global effort • CO2 sequestration • Renewables • Algae farms
