What does the NOAA global temperature anomaly plot tell us?

What does the NOAA global temperature anomaly plot tell us?

The term temperature anomaly means a departure from a reference value or long-term average. A positive anomaly indicates that the observed temperature was warmer than the reference value, while a negative anomaly indicates that the observed temperature was cooler than the reference value.

What are indicators of global warming?

These indicators of global warming include: Rising sea levels. Increased greenhouse gas levels (see carbon cycle) Global mean surface temperature increase.

How does climate change affect consumerism?

In fact, our consumer habits are actually driving climate change. After basic needs are met, consumers begin buying items for social status; as people try to acquire more and more status, more and more expensive status products are needed. Producing all these things generates climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions.

How is climate change a symptom of our economic system?

Warmer temperatures, sea level rise and extreme weather will damage property and critical infrastructure, impact human health and productivity, and negatively affect sectors such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism.

How do consumer choices affect the environment?

Their analysis, recently published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology, showed that consumers are responsible for more than 60 per cent of the globe’s greenhouse gas emissions, and up to 80 per cent of the world’s water use.

How is consumption ruining the environment?

A fundamental effect of overconsumption is a reduction in the planet’s carrying capacity. Excessive unsustainable consumption will exceed the long-term carrying capacity of its environment (ecological overshoot) and subsequent resource depletion, environmental degradation and reduced ecosystem health.

Can we consume less without wrecking the economy?

Environmentalists say our species’ addiction to consumption is responsible for climate change and a host of other environment ills. It’s also a driving economic force. Without consumption, the thinking goes, there is no economic growth. …

How does food consumption affect the environment?

Food consumption and production have a considerable impact on the environment. Food production contributes, for example, to climate change, eutrophication and acid rain, as well as the depletion of biodiversity. It is also a considerable drain on other resources, such as nutrients, land area, energy, and water.