25 Global Climate Change- done
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Dec 6, 2023
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Global Climate Change
What evidence have scientists collected to support global climate change?
Why?
Global climate change is a topic that is frequently discussed but often
misunderstood due to the complexities of studying and predicting our Earth’s
climate, the human impact on it, and the long-term effects of it. Making sense of
complex graphs and data as well as discerning the validity of the data are
important skills in climate literacy. This activity will explore the evidence that
scientists have collected to support global climate change.
Model 1 – Earth’s Surface Temperatures
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Graph A: Variations of the Earth’s Surface
Temperature for the Past 140 Years (Global)
(Departures in temperature in °C from the 1961–1990 average
)
Direct
temperature
1860
1880
1900
1920
1940
1960
1980
2000
Data adapted from the 2001 Climate Change Report, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change [IPCC] http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/climate-changes-2001/synthesis-syr/english/question-
1to9.pdf
1.
Consider the data in Model 1.
a.
Do both graphs represent data from the same time periods? If no,
specify the differences.
No, graph does not represent same time period as graph A is for only
140 years while graph B is for past 1000 years hence their data varies
b.
Do both graphs represent data from the same regions of the Earth? If
no, specify the
differences.
Graph A represent global region. Covering data of all region of
earth while graph B is particular for northern hemisphere
2.
Consider the data in Model 1.
a.
What is the source of the data?
The source of data is based on atmospheric
temperature. (in general weather)
b.
What does IPCC stand for?
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Graph B: Variations of the Earth’s Surface
Temperature for the Past 1000 Years
(Northern Hemisphere
)
(Departures in temperature in °C from the 1961–1990 average
)
Direct
temperature
Proxy Data
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change
c.
Take apart the word “intergovernmental.” What does this word mean?
Intergovernmental represents the mutual cooperation between
different country government to work on climate change panel.
3.
The horizontal line at zero represents a baseline average temperature.
From what years is this baseline temperature calculated?
1961-1990 is the average year used for computing baseline, hence 1961
is the year used for start of calculation.
4.
When a data point is plotted below the horizontal line on either graph A or
graph B, what does that indicate about the Earth’s average temperature
that year?
Below the horizontal line in graph A/B shows no temperature rise in
atmosphere which resembles no climate change is
observed/impacted from human activity.
5.
What does the trend show in graph A? Explain your answer fully, citing
specific information from the graph, including comparisons to the
horizontal line at zero.
The horizontal line is a break point from temperature rise (or) impact of
climate change is observed, data below horizontal line gives us a clue of
no climate change in early periods. From graph A it was clear that
climate change/ temperature started from the year of 1938.
6.
Compare the average annual temperature over the past 1000 years with
the average annual
temperature in the past 30 years.
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In past 1000 years annual average = -0.2 C. In past 30 years = 0.1 C.
Temperature started to rise each and every year in hot side instead of
cool region in previous year data.
7.
Is the change in temperature in graphs A and B correlated to the change
in population on Earth? Justify your response.
Yes, the change in
temperature in graphs A and B is correlated to the change in
population on Earth.
Read This!
Some of the data for the graphs in Model 1 came from historical records. If you
consider the dates on the graphs however, you will quickly realize that not all of
the data could have been obtained by that method. Temperatures that are
measured using thermometers and related devices are called
direct
temperature
readings. The other data was deduced from tree rings, coral
growth, and ice cores that were calibrated by modern time temperatures. These
indirect temperature readings are called
proxy data
.
8.
In graph B of Model 1, which line and time period(s) represent proxy
data?
Solid line represent the proxy data. Time period is more than 900 years
9.
Tree rings vary in width from year to year, depending on the growing
conditions. Which
size rings would indicate good growing conditions,
wide rings or narrow rings? Explain your reasoning.
Wider, because it indicates a longer growing season
10. The analysis used in the graphs has taken into account “data gaps,
random instrument errors,
uncertainties in ocean surface temperatures,
and adjustments for urbanization over the land” (IPCC 2001 Climate
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Change–The Scientific Basis Report). Why do you think it is important for
the scientists to take these uncertainties into account?
11. The IPCC is a multinational research effort directed under the United
Nations. In its Fourth Assessment report, there was research by 450 primary
scientists from 130 different countries with more than 800 contributing
scientists and 2,500 experts providing over 90,000 review comments. What
does this imply about the credibility of the climate change data in Model 1 from
the IPCC?
The involvement of 450 primary scientists from 130 different countries,
along with the contribution of over 800 scientists and 2,500 experts, and
the review of over 90,000 comments, implies a high level of credibility
for the climate change data in Model 1 from the IPCC. The multinational
and collaborative nature of the research effort, along with the extensive
peer review process, enhances the reliability of the data. This level of
involvement and scrutiny ensures that the findings are based on a wide
range of expertise and perspectives, making the data more trustworthy.
5
Model 2 – Northern Hemisphere Sea Ice
Adapted from data supplied by Dr. William Chapman, University of Illinois. Used with
permission from the author.
http://arctic.atmos.uiuc.edu/cryosphere/
12.
Consider the graph in Model 2.
a.
What is the dependent variable in the graph?
dependent variable is sea ice extend
b.
What are the units for the dependent variable?
unit is square kilometer (km
2
)
c.
How many years do the data represent?
96 years
d.
What area of the Earth is represented by the data?
Northern hemisphere region is used for data
13.
Using the key, which line in the graph in Model 2 depicts the annual
trend?
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15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1910
Sea Ice Extent (million km
2
)
1920
1930
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2005
Annual
Winter (JFM)
Spring (AMJ)
Summer (JAS)
Autum (OND)
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The middle line in graph which starts from 14 in y-axis represents the
annual trend as shown in explanation part
14.
In which season(s) is the ice measurement greater than the annual
average?
Winter and spring
15.
In which seasons is the ice measurement less than the annual average?
Autumn and summer
16.
Using a complete sentence, describe the trend for the annual sea ice
area over the period depicted in the graph in Model 2.
Between the year (1910-1960) the ice extent was constant, (1960-1980)
dropped slightly again it rose in the year 1990 and went down from
2000.
17.
Using your knowledge from Model 1, propose an explanation for the
change in annual sea ice area recently.
Sea ice has reduced due to global warming caused by a rise in the
earth's temperature
18.
Melting glaciers and ice caps (polar ice at the North and South poles)
provide one of the most visible signs of the effects of climate change.
Why do you think this is so?
Polar region receives less solar energy due to its distance from the sun.
These extreme weather conditions make the polar region have an
extensive ice cap. Global warming has made the earth's temperature
raise which is evident in the melting of polar ice.
19.
The glaciers and ice caps on the Earth help to reflect the Sun’s energy
back into space. This is called the ice’s
albedo
. How might the change in
sea ice and the reduced albedo affect the Earth’s temperature?
7
It will lead to increased earth temperature because a lot of suns energy
will be absorbed
20. Early coal miners used canaries in cages as an early warning system to
detect dangerous air conditions in mines. Arctic average temperatures
have risen at almost twice the rate of the rest of the world. Some
scientists are using the “canary in the coal mine” analogy to explain the
importance of this data. Why do you think that conditions in the arctic
are considered to be an early harbinger of climate change events?
Initially weather pattern was predictable but due to climate change global
warming evidence calls for rapid measures to curb effects of climate
change
Extension Questions
21.
A decrease in Arctic sea ice would be devastating to polar bears and
other animals, such as
ice-dependent seals. Disappearing sea ice would
no longer protect the coastal regions from
devastating storms. Discuss
the effects of decreasing Arctic sea ice on indigenous people of the Arctic
region.
As arctic sea ice decreases, habitat for arctic organisms is lost. Meaning
some of these organisms will migrate and others die. The indigenous
people of the arctic region rely on these organisms for food by hunting
and fishing. Their loss will therefore lead to a loss in their food sources
and they are likely to suffer from hunger or malnutrition due to lack of
food. In addition, the people will also lose their culture.
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22.
A decrease in Arctic sea ice can also provide an increased opportunity for
global transportation. Discuss the possible positive effects of the
decrease in Arctic sea ice.
The melting Arctic sea ice reveals new shipping routes like the
Northwest Passage and the Northern Sea Route, potentially reducing
travel distances and shipping costs. While this offers
economic
opportunities from untapped resources and boosts in trade and
tourism, it also raises environmental, geopolitical, and social
challenges that future decision-makers must weigh carefully.
23.
The pH level of oceans is decreasing and there have been studies that
link this to increased
atmospheric CO
2
and warmer ocean temperatures.
Research and explain the chemistry behind this connection and the
possible effect of these changes in ocean waters.
More atmospheric emissions of carbon dioxide results in global
warming. This will increase the temperature of ocean water making it
warm. Warm water holds less gas or carbon dioxide resulting in release
of this gas to the atmosphere
.
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