Learn about Climate Change.
Greenhouse Gases.
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) act like a blanket in our atmosphere. They absorb pocket option demo the sun’s heat and regulate the Earth’s temperature, just as a blanket keeps us warm at night.
The most common greenhouses gases (shown at right) are carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O), nitrous oxide (N2O), ozone (O3), and methane (CH4). These occur naturally in the environment. There are also manmade GHGs such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are used in refrigerants and air conditioning.
The Greenhouse Effect.
The Greenhouse Effect is a natural process by which the greenhouse gases (GHGs) in our atmosphere trap the sun’s heat. GHGs act as a “blanket” that keep the Earth at a livable temperature. However, when we burn fossil fuels by driving, flying, powering our homes, and throwing our waste into the landfill, we add GHGs to the atmosphere. This increase in gases has essentially created a much thicker “blanket,” leading to disruptions in the Earth’s climate. This has resulted in the increased temperatures and precipitation we are already seeing.
Climate change is already affecting Evansville.
Here’s how:
All of the information below comes pocket option bonus code from the Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment by Purdue University. Click here for full citation.
More rain.
Average annual precipitation has increased 5.6 inches since 1895. More rain will increase the risk of flooding and pollute our water as pocket option trading combined sewer systems overflow and fertilizers run off from farm fields and backyards.
Check out this fact sheet to see how climate change will impact Evansville and Vanderburgh County.
More days above 90 degrees.
The number of days with extreme heat is increasing. While Southern Indiana used to have about seven of these days per year, by 2050, our region will experience 38 to 51 days a year with extreme heat. Extreme heat increases the likelihood of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. This could lead to higher medical costs and more hospital visits, especially for children and the elderly. Extreme heat also reduces crop yields.
Warmer winters.
Indiana’s average daily temperature has increased by 1.2°F since 1895, resulting in warmer winters and less snow. Warmer winters mean more pests and rain, increasing the likelihood of insect-borne disease. Moreover, farmers will have to spend more money on pesticides (which end up in our waterways).
Extreme heat projections from the Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment.
“An illustration of what Indiana’s summer and winter climates will feel like under future scenarios, as compared to today’s climate in the United States. The colored Indiana outlines are centered over the regions with the most similar summer (left) and winter (right) climates to the projected future climate of Indiana for medium (blue outlines) and high (red outlines) emissions scenarios. Projections are based on statewide seasonal averages for temperature and precipitation. Underlying maps show current-day seasonal average temperatures based on data from PRISM.” From the Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment
Interested in learning more?
Check out these resources:
In This Climate Podcast.
A podcast from the Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute and The Media School, In This Climate is “here to bring you the scientists working toward solutions, the legislation to watch, and the ways you can become both knowledgeable and resilient.” Their goal: make environmental news something you can use.
Watch TED Talks.
TED has a playlist of short TED Talks about climate change. From human rights to green tech — this playlist covers a wide variety of ways that climate change will impact our society.
Climate change in Vanderburgh County.
Take a look a how climate change will affect Vanderburgh County. Fact sheet courtesy of the Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment.
David Letterman talks about climate.
Watch this video to hear why Indiana native David Letterman cares about climate change.