Natural Resources and Global Climate Change

Natural Resources and Global Climate Change

• Global climate change is linked to natural resource use, specifically fossil fuels.
• Fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas.
• Coal is primarily used for power generation and heating.
• Oil is used for vehicle fuel and heating.
• Natural gas is primarily used for electricity generation.
• Fossil fuels are found naturally in Earth's crust and formed over millions of years.

Understanding Greenhouse Gases

• Greenhouse gases trap heat in Earth's atmosphere.
• Key greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide.
• Some greenhouse gases are naturally occurring, while others are human-made.
• Small amounts of greenhouse gases are necessary to maintain Earth's temperature.
• Too much of these gases leads to global warming.

What is Global Warming?

• Global warming is the increase in Earth's average temperature.
• Causes include burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial activities.
• This process creates an enhanced greenhouse effect, disrupting natural climate patterns.
• Global warming impacts both local and global environments.

Environmental Impacts of Global Warming

• Rising sea levels are a significant environmental impact of global warming.
• Melting glaciers contribute to rising sea levels.
• Increased drought conditions are also linked to global warming.
• More frequent extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and heat waves, are a result.
• Floods are a common consequence of these extremes.
• Global warming poses risks to wildlife habitats.

Focus on the Caribbean

• The Eastern Caribbean has low greenhouse gas emissions but is highly vulnerable to climate change.
• Regional impacts include rising sea levels threatening coastal areas, stronger hurricanes, and a potential threat to marine ecosystems and tourist industries.

Oil Extraction and Transportation

• Oil is collected through underground drilling and offshore platforms.
• Oil is transported by pipelines and oil tankers, each method poses risks.
• Safety measures are used to reduce the risks associated with oil extraction and transportation.

Understanding Oil Spills

• An oil spill is an accidental release of oil into the environment.
• Environmental impacts of oil spills include destruction of coastal vegetation, death of marine mammals, bird population effects, and water pollution.

Case Study: Trinidad and Tobago

• The 1979 oil spill had a limited environmental impact, but the 2013 spills led to extensive coastal damage and significant wildlife impact.
• These spills involved 11 separate incidents.

Taking Action

• Individual actions to address climate change include reducing energy consumption and using public transportation.
• Communities can support renewable energy, foster environmental awareness, and support clean energy policies.
• Global cooperation is crucial to effectively combatting global warming.