What is Climate Change?

Climate Change is the long-term change in temperature and weather patterns. Our temperatures are rising, leading to consequences. For WV, this can lead to flooding, heat, and destroyed crops. Today, let's learn about Flippy the Turtle and how climate change impacts him!

 Hi, I'm Flippy! Uhhh, what am I doing here? I should be at the ocean, not in West Virginia!

El Nino and La Nina

When Flippy dives in, the water feels hot. El Nino is a climate pattern worsened by climate change. El Nino could impact water temperature and food access. Flippy may have to search somewhere else for food.

Whew! That's much better!

But where's all the food? Maybe there's some at the beach.

Sea Level Rise

When Flippy goes to the beach, the shoreline is gone! As climate change worsens and temperatures rise, ice caps and glaciers begin to melt. When they do, the sea level begins to rise. 

Oh, no! Where am I going to find food now?

Tides

Flippy realizes the high tide is coming in! Since the sea level's higher because of climate change, the tides are higher too! He tries to escape, but he keeps getting pulled under by the strong waves.

Tsunamis

Flippy starts to notice that the high tide is suddenly receding! With a higher sea level, tsunamis can now travel farther inland and cause even more destruction to coastal areas. 

Everyone, hold on!!!

Hurricanes

Not only do tsunamis intensify with sea level rise, so do hurricanes! A higher sea level from climate change feeds hurricanes and allows them to move further inland, too. 

Uh, oh!!

Offshore Drilling

After the surge passes, Flippy goes out to find out what's causing this. Oil and gas release greenhouse gases into the air that get trapped in the atmosphere and make the climate hotter!

Overfishing

All of the sudden, a fishing boat passes by.  Climate change already lowers the population of the ocean, and now what's left of Flippy's friends are being all caught up. 

No wonder the ocean feels lonelier, now!

Coral Reefs

As flippy continues on, he notices that the usually-colorful coral reefs were white and dull! Coral reefs "bleach" due to temperature changes and ocean acidification. 

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How sad, they used to be so beautiful.

Ocean Acidification

Ocean acidification is when the ocean becomes more acidic over time. Ocean acidification and climate change often go together since they're both impacted by carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 

That doesn't sound good! Let's get out of here!