1. Global Warming
Presented By:
Turner Lane Consulting Corporation
2. A Quick Glance …
The Earth's average temperature rose about 0.6° Celsius (1.1° Fahrenheit) in
the 20th century.
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3. Global Warming/Climate Change …
The terms ―global warming‖ and ―climate change‖ are
often used interchangeably;
Technically, ―global warming‖ refers to an increase in
the average temperature of the troposphere (the
lowest part of the earth’s atmosphere) and it’s usually
used to refer to the warming caused by greenhouse
gases emitted by human activities; and
―Climate change‖ refers to any extended change in
climate (including temperature, precipitation, wind,
and other meteorological elements) and it’s usually
used to refer to the changes in climate that result
from global warming.
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4. Climate Change
Reaction
Global Warming
GHG Emissions
Population
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5. Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) …
GHG emissions represent gases in the
atmosphere that trap the sun's energy and
thereby contribute to rising surface
temperatures, including:
1. Carbon Dioxide – CO2 (by product of burning
fossil fuels);
2. Methane – CH4 (from agricultural sources);
3. Nitrous Oxide – N2O (from industrial sources);
4. Sulphur Hexafluoride – SF6;
5. Perfluorocarbons – PFCs; and
6. Hydrofluorocarbons – HFCs.
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6. The Potential Impacts of Global Warming …
If the global temperature continues to climb, it is predicted
that Arctic summer sea ice will disappear by 2080 and that
weather patterns will change globally;
Such changes could include heat waves, droughts, an
increase in heavy rain and more intense storms;
In Europe, rising temperatures could turn much of Spain,
Italy and Greece into deserts;
Northern Europe, including Britain, would face more
floods, heat waves and stronger storms;
Much of Australia would become uninhabitable; and
By 2100, sea levels are likely to rise between 7 to 23
inches, and the changes now underway will continue for
centuries to come.
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7. Global Perspective …
Human activity emits roughly 32 billion tonnes of
carbon dioxide (CO2)—the primary greenhouse gas—
into the atmosphere each year;
Worldwide, about 80 percent of those emissions
come from the combustion of oil, coal, natural gas,
and other fossil fuels; the remaining 20 percent
comes from deforestation;
Because plants take in CO2, removing them releases
some or all of that carbon;
Currently, in any given year, the equivalent of about
half of total CO2 emissions are absorbed by the
world’s oceans, soil, and vegetation, which make up
the natural reservoirs through which carbon flows
over time; and
The other half, 16 billion tonnes of those emissions
remain in the atmosphere.
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8. Tonne of CO2 Equivalent …
GHG emissions are measured in tonnes of
CO2 equivalent:
One metric tonne = 1,000 Kilograms
The volume of one tonne of GHG emissions
would fill a two story, three-bedroom house;
and
Each North America roughly is responsible
for more than five tonnes of GHG emissions a
year.
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9. What is Green …
Green means applying a holistic approach to
design, demolition, construction, and
remodelling that minimizes a structure’s
impact on the environment, the occupants,
and the community by creating measures to
reduce impacts including but not limited to
the following:
Site planning, energy efficiency, water efficiency,
materials and resource efficiency, indoor air
quality and environmental quality.
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10. Benefits for Businesses …
Reduce operating costs (energy, water,
resource use);
Improve employee and customer health;
Enhance employee productivity;
Meet government regulations;
Receive potential tax breaks for energy
efficiency and renewable energy;
Utilize materials and resources that have less
environmental impact;
Etc.
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11. Benefits for Town/Residents
Healthier community;
Enhanced employee productivity;
Reduced operating costs;
Reduced utility costs;
Better quality of life;
Better local economy;
Better public transit;
More open space;
Less trash in our landfills;
Less demand on infrastructure;
More productive local businesses; and
Better home resale marketing potential.
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