Climate change

From CopperWiki

Climate change is the change that takes place in the climate pattern over decades or centuries. The term refers to both natural and human-induced changes.

[edit] Impact of climate change

• Climate change is only one aspect of global change. The introduction of exotic pests such as the Asian long-horned beetle and the pine shoot beetle is accelerating with increased trade. These introduced species pose a significant threat to our forests. The increased number of extreme climatic events makes ecosystems more vulnerable to a greater number of pests.
• Northern regions are likely to be most affected by the warmer climate that is projected for the coming decades.
• An increase in temperature would reduce the size of caribou herds through the destruction of winter habitats by summer forest fires.
• Wildlife is sensitive to climate variations. The results of recent studies show that any change in summer climatic conditions would likely cause rapid advances or retreats of certain populations as their habitats shift or are disturbed.

[edit] Did You Know?

• The twentieth century was the warmest century of the last 1000 years, and the 1990s was the warmest decade of that century.
• Human activity is currently responsible for emitting 30 million tons of CO₂ each year, 12 million tons of which accumulate in the atmosphere.
• Mackerel, a warm-water fish species, has been found in recent years in the waters off Vancouver Island. There is concern that mackerel may eat young salmon, further depleting stocks.
• Climate models predict the greatest warming to occur in Arctic regions.
• Heavy rains and snowfalls are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity
• Venus, our planetary neighbour, has an atmosphere that is 98% carbon dioxide. Due to the extreme greenhouse effect, temperatures reach 430°C.
• 9000 years ago, average temperatures in southern British Columbia were 1° to 2° C warmer than today.
• Warmer spring temperatures have already lengthened the Okanagan growing season. McIntosh apples at Summerland, British Columbia, usually bloom in May. However, of the eight times since 1937 when they have bloomed earlier, five have occurred since 1987.
• In the Sanikiluaq area, recent cooling trends have resulted in more ice cover and the eider duck population, which depends on open water for food and warmth, has been suffering.
• The permafrost boundary is expected to move north by several hundred kilometers.
• Permafrost forms an impermeable layer for mine tailings and landfill sites. A loss of this layer could increase the risk of contamination to soil and water.
• Warmer temperatures will thaw traditional ice cellars making them useless for storing meat.

[edit] References

• Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Program