8.

3
Based on available evidence, scientists have concluded
that Earths climate is presently changing. Proxy records
show how climate changed naturally in the past. Todays
climate changes are occurring quickly and are unlike the
natural changes that took place in the past. Many changes
are due to human activities.

Global Warming
Scientists can tell that climate is changing by studying past
temperature records. Weather stations have recorded daily
temperatures and other weather data since the late 1800s. From
these records, scientists can calculate Earths annual average
temperature for more than 100 years.
Global warming is a term scientists use to describe the recent
increases in Earths average temperature. Figure 1 shows changes
in Earths average temperature from 1880 to 2006. You can see
that Earths average temperature has risen fairly steadily over this
time period.
Temperature change from average (C)

global warming: the

recent trend of increasing
average temperatures of
Earths surface

Global Temperature Changes

0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
0.2
0.4
1880

1910
annual average

1940

1970

2000

Year

Figure 1 Earths average temperature has gradually increased from 1880 to

2006. The data were collected from places all over Earths surface.

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Rising Sea Levels

What causes sea levels

to rise? One cause is global
warming. As global temperatures
increase, the ice in glaciers and
ice sheets melts.

Change in Annual Average Sea Level

at Charlottetown, PEI, 1911-1997
183
178
Average sea level (cm)

Sea levels all over Earth have

risen over the past 120years.
For example, Figure 2 shows
changes in sea level at
Charlottetown, PEI, from 1911
to 1997. Since 1993, sea levels
have risen almost twice as fast
as during the previous 30 years.
Small increases in sea level can
result in damaging floods and
loss of land in low-lying regions,
such as those on ocean coasts.

actual data

173
168
163

trend

158
153
148
143
1911

1923

1935

1947

1959

1971

1983

1995

2007

Year
Figure 2 Data for this graph came from satellites and ocean floats.
Sea levels have risen an average of 0.3 cm each year from 1911 to 1997.

Melting Glaciers and Ice Sheets

Figure 3 shows how much one glacier in Auyuittuq National Park on
Baffin Island melted between 1954 and 2004. The meltwater runs
into the oceans, causing sea levels to rise.

Thermal Expansion
Thermal expansion is the increase in volume of a particular mass
of a substance when it is heated. Global warming is also causing
thermal expansion of the water in Earths oceans. This expansion is
adding to the rise in sea levels.

thermal expansion: the

increase in the volume of
matter as its temperature
increases

If you were to heat a cup of water, you would not notice that it
expands. This is because the thermal expansion of water is very
small. However, there is a lot of water in the oceans, so even a little
expansion is enough to affect sea levels.
(a)

1954

(b)

2004

Figure 3 This glacier in Auyuittuq National Park on Baffin Island has retreated significantly.

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8.3 Evidence of Climate Change Today 301

dig deeper

Career Link
As the number of
flooding storms increases,
there are more jobs in
reducing flood risks
and damage. For more
information about a career
in flood abatement,
go to Nelson Science

Changes in Weather Patterns

Global warming has caused several changes in Earths weather
patterns. Depending on where you live, some of the changes that
are happening include
more heat waves and violent storms, such as hurricanes and

tornadoes
more rain in some regions, causing flooding (Figure 4)
less rain in other regions, causing severe droughts (Figure 5)
How might these changes affect your life now and in the future?

Figure 4 An increase in the amount of rain can cause

heavy flooding.

Figure 5 Prolonged drought caused Lake Kamnarok in

central Africa to completely dry up.

Changes in Seasons
The length of the seasons is changing, as are the amount of
precipitation and average temperature each season brings. In 2009,
scientists reported that spring was arriving earlier and winters were
warmer on average than 50 years ago. In Canada, this means that
farmers may have more time to produce crops or can switch to
warmer-weather crops, such as peppers. It will also mean less time
for outdoor winter activities, such as snowboarding (Figure 6).

Figure 6 Shorter, warmer winters will mean less time for winter sports.

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Changes in Ecosystems
Global warming is also affecting plants,
animals, and their habitats. Trees, shrubs,
and many other plants across North
America bloom earlier in the spring.
Animals, such as squirrels, breed earlier in
the year. The numbers of mosquitoes and
blackflies are increasing in some areas,
while bird numbers are falling.
Ecosystems in Arctic regions, such as
in Canadas Far North, are particularly
affected by global warming. For example,
polar bears spend much of the year
hunting on sea ice (Figure 7). With less
ice, the bears are having difficulty finding
seals, their primary food source.

Figure 7 The Arctic ice cap has shrunk by 2.5 million km2 in the
past 30 years. All summer sea ice could vanish by 2040.

8.3 Wrap Up
Global warming is the recent upward trend in global temperatures.
Sea levels are rising.
Glaciers and ice sheets are melting.
Earths weather patterns and seasons are changing.
Global warming is affecting ecosystems.

Check Your Learning

1. Give five examples that show that Earths climate
is changing. K/U
2. Describe two ways that climate change is affecting
Canada. a
3. (a) What do melting glaciers and ice sheets and
thermal expansion of ocean water have in
common?
(b) Why should all people be concerned about
melting glaciers and ice sheets? K/u A

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4. Farmers in a community are complaining that their

crops are being damaged by insects they never
had problems with before. Explain what might be
causing this problem. a
5. What are some examples of events that might
indicate climate change in your area? Give
reasons for your answers. A C
6. How is global warming affecting polar bears? K/u

8.3 Evidence of Climate Change Today 303