Download - The Impact of Global Warming on Texas
The Impact of Global Warming on Texas
Vanessa Addai and Felicia DonleyUniversity of Texas at AustinDepartment of Chemical EngineeringChE 379November 21,2006
Introduction
• Greenhouse Effect
• Global Warming
• Texas’ mark on the world
Emission of Greenhouse Gases
• Types• CO2
• Methane• NOx• Fluorinated Gases
• Sources• Fossil fuel combustion• Other sources
• Statistics• 2003: 694.08 MMT CO2
released in Texas• CO2 concentration
increase of 35 % since Industrial Revolution
• NOx increase of 15%
• Local climatic changes• Diverse • Natural variability
• CO2 production in Texas
• Statistics • Texas is #1 emitter of
CO2 in the U.S.
• Alone, #7 worldwide
• No state wide plan• No official inventory
Current Climatic Changes in Texas
Future Climatic Changes in Texas
• Temperature increase • Warmer ocean water
• Increased hurricane activity and strength
• Droughts • Regional Flooding
Future Climatic Changes in Texas cont.
• Sea-level rising• Impact on Texas coastal regions
What Does This Mean for Texas?
• Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem • Shifting habitat• Fresh water turnover
• Shell fish • Fin fish
• Agriculture• Currently: $14 billion industry• Consumes 58% of the state’s water• Increase in Yield: Cotton and Hay• Decrease in Yield: Wheat, Rice, Potatoes
What Does This Mean for Texas? Cont.
• Human health risk
What Does This Mean for Texas? Cont.
• Economic impact• Decreased reliance greenhouse gas forming industry
• Service and High-Tech
• Utility industry increase• Capacity and output increase
• Rising sea-level • Property loss and damage• Loss of commercial fishing and recreation• Potential loss of jobs
Conclusions
• Global warming is real threat to Texas
• Reduction of CO2 emissions to decrease the impact on:• Sea-level rising• Human health• Ecological health• Climate
“As the nation’s leading carbon emitter, Texas has a moral responsibility to its citizens and its neighbors to show leadership by reducing our carbon footprint and doing what we can to slow the consequences of global warming.” – Environmental Defense Fund