Climate Change: Information and LinksSee this page for information on APCD Activities relating to Climate Change. Calculate your personal greenhouse gas emissions on the EPA website here.
The Greenhouse Effect The world's temperature is up 1°F (.5°C) over the past century; some of the coldest, most remote spots have warmed up much more. This phenomenon is referred to as global warming, or global climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has concluded that the global climate is changing at a rate unmatched in the past one thousand years, and that this change is due to human activity, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, producing a buildup of greenhouse gases. The Greenhouse EffectThese greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxide (as N2O, nitrous oxide), and hydrofluorocarbons, trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere in a “greenhouse” effect, depicted below. Water vapor is also sometimes referred to as a greenhouse gas, since it contributes to the greenhouse effect.
Risks to CaliforniaA 2006 report, Our Changing Climate - Assessing the Risks to California, projected effects of climate change in the state under three different emissions scenarios - a lower increase in greenhouse gas emissions, a medium to high increase, and a higher increase. The report, issued by the California Climate Change Center (under the California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research Program) projected a warming of between 1 and 2.3° F in the state in the next few decades, and a warming ranging from 3 to 10.5° F by the end of the century, depending on the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. The report projected additional climate change effects in the state, including:
A 2001 report by the California Environmental Protection Agency documented climate change effects that are already being seen in the state. Warmer winters have reduced the size of the Sierra snow pack, leading to earlier snow melt, and reducing the spring runoff by 10 percent. The report documented another predicted outcome of global warming, a rise in sea level, as shown below. Rise in Sea Level off the California Coast The record at the Golden Gate in San Francisco shows sea level increasing at a rate of about 0.47 ft./century from 1855 to 1997. However, from 1925 to 1997, that rate is accelerated — to 0.75 ft./century. This is nearly identical to the 0.74 ft./century trend at La Jolla over the 1925-1997 time period. This agrees with tide gauge data that show that global average sea level rose 4 to 8 inches during the 20th century. The rise in sea level, and storm surges, could lead to flooding of low-lying property, loss of coastal wetlands, erosion of cliffs and beaches, saltwater contamination of drinking water, and impacts on roads, causeways, and bridges. In addition, with a continued rise in sea level, California’s hundreds of miles of coastline, with towns and urban centers, fisheries, and ecologically fragile estuaries, could be significantly impacted. Greenhouse Gases in CaliforniaAs shown in the figure below, according to the California Energy Commission (CEC), the transportation sector was the single largest source of California’s climate change emissions in 2002, with the industrial sector as the second-largest source. Electricity production, from both in-state and out-of-state sources, was the third-largest source. Agriculture, forestry, commercial, and residential activities comprised the balance of California’s climate change emissions.
California's Landmark LegislationIn September of 2006, California's Governor signed Assembly Bill 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act, into law. The Act makes the California Air Resources Board responsible for monitoring and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the state. The Act requires the ARB to establish a statewide greenhouse gas emissions cap for 2020 that is based on 1990 emissions levels, and to develop and implement regulations and market mechanisms to reduce emissions. As early as July 1, 2007, the ARB is required to adopt a list of early action measures that can be adopted or implemented before January 1, 2010. In 2002, Assembly Bill 1493 was signed into law in California - this law requires the ARB to implement regulations requiring reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks in the state. For more information on both bills, and to view reports and research referenced above, see the California Climate Change portal: www.climatechange.ca.gov. Prediction and ActionIt is difficult to predict localized impacts of global climate change, and to determine how fast changes will occur, or when particular “tipping points” may be reached, as factors combine, causing sudden effects. For example, increases in surface temperature lead to less sea ice and snow cover, raising temperatures more, and reducing reflection of the sun’s heat. As more water evaporates, additional water vapor acts to increase temperature. In addition, higher temperatures may result in higher smog levels in some areas, as ground-level ozone forms more readily in hotter temperatures. A recent modeling study by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory projected that by 2050, air quality throughout the Western United States (and including California) will deteriorate in the fall season, due to a temperature increase of up to 4 degrees centigrade. The study, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is among the first to project effects of future climate change on U.S. regional air quality. It found that air quality would also deteriorate in Texas, but could potentially improve in the Midwest, due to increased cloud cover. According to the USEPA, increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases are likely to accelerate the rate of climate change. Scientists expect that the average global surface temperature could rise 1-4.5°F (0.6-2.5°C) in the next fifty years, and 2.2-10°F (1.4-5.8°C) in the next century, with significant regional variation. Soil moisture is likely to decline in many regions, and intense rainstorms are likely to become more frequent. Sea level could rise as much as two feet along most of the U.S. coast. What Can One Person Do About Climate Change?You are responsible for approximately 6.6 tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year (average for U.S. residents, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). An estimated 82 percent of your contribution comes from your use of electricity, and your use of your car. So what can you do? Here are some ideas.
Grants for TeachersSixth grade Earth Science teachers in Santa Barbara County county are invited to apply for project grants to develop curriculum for Earth Science that will incorporate lessons understanding our atmosphere and global warming. The deadline for applications this year is December 1st. See this page for more info, or contact Mary Byrd at the APCD at 961-8833, or Louise Fisher, Director of Teacher Programs at the Santa Barbara County Education Office at 964-4711 ext. 5281. Downloads and Links
Top Left: Top Right: |
