Earth Week With Lightning2

EARTH WEEK With Stephen Fenech

FOCUS L.C.D. ’s Who’s Right? CO 2 Cause or Effect? Facts of Fragility Issues & Impressions Solutions

TOURISTS ON EARTH The Earth has been around for a very long time and we have not. Even the experts and scientists can only examine data they perceive to be pertinent and draw educated conclusions based on their perceptions. The bottom line is nobody really knows FOR SURE.

TOPICS ECOLOGY BIODIVERSITY CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES CONSERVATION

Lowest Common Denominators Population Supply and Demand Food, Resources Money Economic and Political Power The Sun The Source and The Culprit?? Many Other Factors

Proof is In The Pudding The Native Spirital Connection To The Land

Ecology –Gk (oikos -home) Science of the relationship between organisms and their environments . Draws on many different science fields. .

Subdivisions Of Ecology ORGANISM Plants Animals Microbial HABITAT Terrestrial Limnology Oceanography BIOMES & BIOSPHERE – the 4’th envelope collections of similar organisms HYDROSPHERE LITHOSPHERE ATMOSPHERE

Oceanography Habitat … all together comprise the Biomes that make up our Biosphere

… Life is based on cycles and begins with the SUN Water Carbon Nitrogen Oxygen

The Food Web (another cycle) Energy Photosynthesis Herbivores (producers) ….

Decomposers (includes bacteria, fungus )

The Whole process can ONLY be replenished by Green Plants ’ exposure to the SUN … Eventually if undisturbed the Ecosystem or Biome goes through a process of Succession ….

Ecological Crisis Occurs when there is a loss of the adaptive capacity and resilience of the environment, species or population. They evolve in an unfavourable way OR they can’t cope with a disturbance in the Ecosystem.

2 Kinds of Crisis GLOBAL – Rise in Sea Level

Endangerment Can cause Extinction but will definitely affect quality of life of remaining individuals (reduction in air quality, living space, famine, disease ) Examples: HABITAT DESTRUCTION INTRO EXOTIC SPECIES OVEREXPLOITATION

Culprits of Habitat Destruction Climate Change Pollution Urbanization Human Activity

Introduction Of Exotic Species

Overexploitation Chinese Apothecary

EXTINCTION 1. STABLE - Cessation of a species or group reducing biodiversity Classification

4. EXTINCT Every species is unique and so is it’s extinction

Pseudo Extinction A daughter species survives but doesn’t carry all the original DNA

Causes of Extinction 1. Genetic & Demographic Small population more vulnerable Natural selection (cockroaches)

2. Habitat Degradation (shock or chronic) Diminished resources Toxicity

3. Predation, Competition, Disease Rats escaping boat Invasive alien species Animals hunted to extinction

4. Co-Extinction The loss of one species may lead to the inevitable loss of another. Damming a river, the beaver creates a niche for several other animals dependant on the created lake. If the beaver is lost so too are the dependant animals or fish. Parasitic insects losing their host is another example. If Bees become extinct it is widely believed that it would precipitate our co-extinction shortly after

MASS EXTINCTION 5 Major Ones in the history of life K-T Extinction Event -last one wiped out the dinosaurs (65 million years ago) Scientists believe we are in the early stages of a human caused mass extinction called the Holocene Extinction Event Planned Extinction : small pox virus, malaria carrying species of mosquitoes Cloning : hypothetically possible to bring back extinct species but no success yet

BIODIVERSITY Studies the way natural systems work and how they “got that way” Originates from Ecology and Evolution It is the result of 4 billion years of Evolution So many species because no one species can be perfect trade-offs & specialization Human activities are reducing biodiversity

Benefits Of Biodiversity Food & Drink Medicine most drugs come from biological sources Industrial Materials wood, rubber, adhesives Ecological Services sibilance, recycling of nutrients (volcanoes, forest fires) Leisure Cultural and Aesthetic Value

3 Levels of Biodiversity 1. Genetic DNA are the building blocks and represent the Raw material for evolution. More diverse the DNA the more it evolves and adapts

2. Species Focus because it’s easier to work with (Leopard)

3. Ecosystem Very Complex -deals with species’ distribution, community, associations - examines levels on the Food chain and species on each - difficult to define Transitions Shift gradually not sharp

Island Biogeography Isolation + Evolution = Biodiversity Chance species will land on an island depends on how far it is from the mainland

Island could be a lake or an isolated patch of unique habitat Anton Valley

GAINING BIODIVERSITY MUTATION - altering genetic information SPECIATION – Creation of new species through isolation, competition and polyploidy IMMIGRATION - entering a new area SUCCESSION - process area gains and replaces species until CLIMAX Community reached Polyploidy describes An organism or cell with more than two sets of chromosomes

LOSING BIODIVERSITY EXTINCTION COMPETITION DISTURBANCES BOTTLENECKS Competition

Eliminates population and keeps area at an early level of succession

Threats to Biodiversity Species are the Foundation to the Ecosystem.

ACID RAIN : an end result From Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide released into atmosphere by industry 1960 recognized 1980’s acted upon 1990 U.S. Clean Air Act 1995 43% reduction 1980 BUT… acid precipitation will continue to damage sensitive ecosystems even if all targets are met

Exotic Species By bringing goats to the Galapagos Islands, man introduced 2+ species that never would have met under natural circumstances

Climate Change and Natural Changes can threaten Biodiversity

Conservation: 2 Types In situ setting up protected areas

Ex situ nurseries protecting large populations

Virunga Forest in the D.R.O.C .

CLIMATE CHANGE Climate: long term statistical expression of Short term weather Climate Change Change in a region’s average temperature and weather patterns or basically the expected weather

The Climate War CO 2 is causing Global Warming Oceans will rise when polar ice cap melts Man is the chief culprit by releasing Green house gases like C0 2 and methane into the atmosphere burning fossil fuels CO 2 is 0.54% of atmosphere not the cause but an effect 800 year lag between temp and CO 2 levels because of deep ocean CO 2 ^ temp drops Sunspots chief culprit as witnessed in Mini Ice Age (15’th Century) INCONVENIENT TRUTH ALTERNATE TRUTH

Common Points Climate is always changing Noticeable shift after the Industrial Revolution 1850’s There is a direct link between CO 2 levels and temperature Climate has a memory Both sides are looking for validation or perhaps fame and they both have arguments that carry weight but the truth is they are all hypothesis and I conclude there could be any number of factors separate or combined and more research is required.

Feedback Loops Causal Cycles Positive Feedback Loops (bad) reinforce the initial change Negative Feedback Loops ( good) counteract the initial change leading to equilibrium The Climate Scientist’s Math : Positive > Negative Severity of Human Induced Climate change has the potential of irreversibility

Positive Feedback Loop: Ice Albedo Effect (reflectivity) The Cryosphere If we go from a Reflective to an Absorptive surface we change the fundamental energy dynamic of the entire planet Atmosphere Becomes Warmer Melting Ice Lower Reflectivity Ocean Absorbs More Energy

CLIMATE CHANGE FACTORS Oceans and Ice Caps Impact Of Humans Climate Forcing Salinity the Mid Atlantic Current Earth’s Orbit (Solar Output) Greenhouse Gas Concentration Atmospheric Variations Changes Within Earth’s Environment Day After Tomorrow

FACT: Glaciation Most sensitive indicator of Climate Change In the last century have not been able to regenerate ice lost in summer

Glaciers and the Ice Cap reflect light and heat back into space. Without them we can absorb more heat from the sun

FACT: Ocean Variability The Ocean and Atmosphere are constantly interacting exchanging energy, Co2 etc. Anomalies such as El Nino can drastically alter weather around the World.

FACT: Climate Memory Climate Variance can stem from the history of how it got there . Long Droughts in areas can lead to diminished rainfall for years after the drought is finished. Ethiopia

Non Climate Factors Driving Warming 1. Greenhouse Gases Co2 absorbed by Forests & Ocean Radiative Forcing

3. Volcanism Part of Co2 cycle

Human Influence Fossil Fuels Aerosols Land Use Transition From Petroleum Age To Post Petroleum Age

5. Solar Variation Sun’s getting brighter 6.Orbital Variation our orbit can lead to changes in distribution & abundance of sunlight

EVIDENCE OF CHANGE mostly indirect Glacial Geology Glacial Geology Moraines left Behind (Mt. Cook)

Ice Cores Tree Rings Glacial Retreat Sea Levels

Effect of Climate Change on Biodiversity Life cycle of many plants and animals linked to season Interdependent species will lose synch Territory lost after forced migration Weeds proliferate at expense of scarcer species Sibilance…Sort Of If Bees disappear … we wouldn’t be far behind

Humanitarian Effects of Climate Change More competition Forced Migrations Food Security & Water supply More pressure on crop yields Peace and security Health, epidemics sanitation (malaria will occur at higher altitudes) Environmental migrations most predominant in Sub-Saharan countries like Mali

Climate Change exaserbates the countries dire state. 40% of Mongolia’s 2.6 million people lack safe drinking water = high incidence diarrheal disease child malnutrition and mortality subsist with sheep but they need water too. wells drying up Mongolia

Other Effects Rising Sea Levels Cryosphere If all the Ice in Greenland and Antarctica melts sea levels could rise by 70 m

REFUGEES Forced Migrations Inland

Crowding of Cities: Shanty Towns

Disease & Pestilence Pandemics Swine Flu in Mexico

Effect on Developing Countries Worse AIDS Orphanage in Burkina Faso

Remoteness Climate Change lies strictly out of the influence of the Poor

Severe Impact on Flora and Fauna Etosha National Park, Namibia

Proliferation of Invasive Species Pine Bark Beetles in B.C. With warmer climate they are reproducing more than once and are now decimating BC’s Pine Forest and are now starting to cross the Rockies threatening the Rest of Canada’s Boreal Forest Climate Change Hits Home: An Ecological Crisis

KYOTO Protocol International Agreement designed to reduce Greenhouse Gases by 5% under 1990 levels by the year 2012. Came into effect February 2005 too conservative billion more than forecast some alarmists say G8 half Political Issues: U.S. want weaker legislation (LCD $$$) 2009 update 385 ppm CO 2 if exceed 450 ppm Pos Feedback Loop Get to Zero asap 100 yr = 33% 1000yr =20%

Implementing Kyoto: Developed Country OVERVIEW AUSTRALIA Renewable and non-renewable Export coal =economics Air quality pollution issues Solar, Wind, Biomass Water Crisis compared to American Dustbowl of Thitrties try implement Wave Power

Implementing Kyoto: Developing Countries OVERVIEW MADAGASCAR Insufficient infrastructure Runaway erosion Political and economic woes Most living in poverty

Industrializing Nations: CHINA 3 Gorges Dam + 3 more 2009 Shanghai sediment landslides 50m tsunamis deaths

Lesson learned or not in Lesotho

Industrializing Nations: INDIA

Changing Lifestyles: UGANDA Tourist Fiasco Influx of new people for logging affect Pygmies traditional ways Hired to shoot animals with guns

EROI’s Energy Return On Investment How Much Energy do we get back for Energy spent to get Energy ? Texas 30’s 100:1 Current 17:1 Tar Sands 4:1 Ethanol 1:1 The more technology advances , the more energy is required to sustain it Climate Change will require lots of energy to address exactly at time when we are transitioning from abundant cheap energy sources to scarce expensive ones. Not fully understood by academic community Energy Addressing Climate Change Examples Pump H20 from new wet areas to new dry areas Relocate Coastal cities Desalination Pump billions tonnes of co2 underground Wood Now Reversing Coal 80:1 Oil Nat. Gas The Paradox A Universal Kyoto Obstacle Post Petroleum Age

Montreal Protocol: ... 1982 signed …1999 success The Antarctic Convergence CFC’s were killing Ozone (filters radiation) effect on microscopic marine life, skin cancer, immunity

Ecotourism: A mandate of IAATO

1991 Antarctic Treaty for Environmental Protection Co-op with local Gov’ts and scientific foundations. Protect krill

And by protecting the krill you protect …

Antarctica has one of the most fragile of all ecosystems

Continued Research: International Polar Year From March 2007, 10 000 Scientists began conducting 2 year study of the polar regions (most sensitive) co-ordinate research initiative and inspire new scientists. They will reconvene on August 2009 to present their findings

Green Energy Initiatives Renewable Energy Sources that do not damage the environment

Brazil: Ethanol from Sugar Cane Excellent subsidies for farmers but Low EROI

BIOMASS Power Wood & Animal Dung FACT The potential energy wasted every year from wood and paper being thrown away by North Americans could supply 5 million people for 200 years !

WIND Power Enough Wind Resources to meet twice the Global Need in 2020 New Windmills Stay aloft in the Jet Stream powerful untapped resource

TIDE Power Lumkara in Russia Bay of Fundy in Canada

SOLAR Power There is enough energy generated from the Sun to meet 10 000 times our global need

WAVE Power BUT….. Harnassing the Waves viable energy source desalination in Oz Portugal … the economy

GEOTHERMIC Power Pingveller Iceland

Education: A lesson from Bhutan Their Practical Zen

In a recent study Kyoto and Beyond it has been proven that we can cut Greenhouse Gases in half with existing technology while maintaining our quality of life and economic growth in a business as usual policy. The Key is Motivation and Knowledge. SUSTAINABILITY Planned Cities William Macdonough

Some International Groups Focused on Positive Change WCU - World Conservation Union WFN - World Wildlife Fund For Nature UNESCO - preserving World Heritage Sites OXFAM – monitors the science and politics of Climate Change ICSWMO - doing the 2 year polar study IAATO – Focuses on Antarctica’s Ecosystem Green Peace – working with industry & gov ’t trying to develop Solar energy solutions for 2 billion people IPCC – Int’l Panel on Climate Change

The Conventional / Radical Continuum (Ontario) Efficiency & Conservation Renewables Coal (With CO 2 Captured & Pumped Underground Atmosphere CO 2 capture $$ For CO 2 entrepreneurs GeoEngineering (aerosols scary Michael Crichton) Paradigm Shift on Economic Growth (spread the wealth David Suzuki) shock to our systems: economic political The More We Have The More Problems We Have. Some of the Happiest People I have met live on less than 2 bucks a day CONVENTIONAL RADICAL

Positive Steps In Canada City of Calgary uses Wind power for Rapid Transit Edmonton cutting fuel consumption of public transport Toronto cools the air in the CBD through a marvelous network of cooling pipes out of Lake Ontario ALSO more federal funding to TTC buses. Starting to use biofuel

Ontario’s Future Initiatives . The province is exploring new initiatives such as a new technology Ground Source Heat Pumps Work like a reverse refrigerator to wean the province off it’s heavy demand on home heating energy costs especially in Wintertime

Leave the Car Parked use your bicycle Turn off Appliances not used Eat Meat Free at least once a week Eat Organic Food In Season Compost Thermostat Up in Summer Down Winter Use your Blue Box and Green Box Spread the Word What You Can Do… Reduce That Carbon Footprint The Water Bottle Fiasco

It’s All About Cycles Natural Cycles (recycling) Causal Cycles (Feedback Loops) Perpetual Motion and Getting The Ball Rolling

We Need To Take Serious Stewardship Of Our Planet. Natural Systems work because there Are No Design Flaws. We are Solely Responsible for introducing those flaws to the Planet. Ergo It is our Duty To Remove Them EQUILIBRIUM

It’s Your Future Crisis is the Impetus Of Creativity

Earth Week With Lightning2

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