Climate Change Lab
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Abeyta – Kinnevy 1
Tearny Abeyta - Kinnevy
AST 1110
October 17, 2022
Lab 8: Climate Change
Fig. 2.
1.
Give a general description of what you see for the data in the figure. For example, where
do you see any major changes, and for what period of time? (Refer to changes in
thousands of years)
a.
Based on Figure 2, the temperature fluctuated between the years 20000 and 15000
around (-8). Then it rose to (-2) and then dropped here again around the year
10000. Beyond the year 10000, there is a noticeable increase in the frequency of
picks and proximity between them.
2.
What is the temperature change that we see going from 20,000 to 15,000 years? How
about from 20,000 years before present to now?
a.
During the years 2000 to 1500, there was a temperature spike ranging between -8
and -2. Temperature swings were more frequent and closer together 20,000 years
ago than they are now, but the range was between (-2) and (2).
3.
What could be a major change on Earth that could have happened during this time
period? (Hint: What was taking place in the history of humans? You can look through
your chapter reading or on the internet – just be sure to cite any sources used.)
a.
The biggest shift that might have occurred throughout this time is that the world's
temperatures have started to rise. The cause is that because of how they expand or
contract in reaction to snowfall and snowmelt, they may detect changes in
regional and global climate. Higher elevations seem to see an increase in
temperature first, with latitudes warming first. The retreat of glaciers around the
poles and in significant regions like the Olympic National Park today is a direct
outcome of global warming.
Fig. 3.
Abeyta – Kinnevy
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4.
Examine all of the reconstructed temperatures for the Northern Hemisphere (top graph).
Are there other periods that appear to be as warm as the period of 1950 to 2000? If so, list
these periods noting how similar they are. (Note that instead of looking at a single study,
which could be an outlier, try to focus on groups of studies that show similar patterns.
Using a straight edge might help to determine the approximate date(s).)
a.
There was a 2 C degree difference between 1950 and 2000 between the
temperature around 580-600 years ago. Nearly the same temperature was
recorded at 950 and 1000. Between 1380 and 1430, the temperature is slightly
cooler.
5.
Looking at all data in the 2000 years, approximately how much warmer (e.g. 0.5° C, 1°
C, etc.) was the warmest 50 year period than the coldest 50 year period? When was that
high and low?
a.
From 1430 to 1480, there was the most climatic difference over 50 years, and
from 1950 to 2000, it was the most climatic difference over 50 years. There is a
1.1-degree Celsius difference between the hottest and coolest periods over the
past 50 years.
6.
What possible major factor do you think could have caused the differences between the
warmest and coldest of those 50 year periods? (You might need to look research what
was going on during that time period, and give any source.)
a.
Excessive fossil fuel use is a potential key contributing element. Due to a growth
in the number of cars, factories, homes, and other buildings as well as a decline in
the amount of forest, the excessive combustion of fossil fuels results in an
excessive release of greenhouse gases.
New technologies were being developed
between 1950 and 2000, and factories were being used more and more.
Consequently, carbon dioxide was being produced as well. It may be a lower
temperature because of the higher temperature rise in earlier years.
7.
Examine the Global temperatures now (bottom right graph). Where do you see the
greatest change occurring?
a.
The period from 1900 to 2000 had the most change.
Fig. 4.
Abeyta – Kinnevy
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8.
In Fig. 3 the reconstructed temperatures indicate that the amount of global warming from
1750 to the present (or 2011) was close to 1° C. As noted in Fig. 4 there are various
drivers, both anthropogenic and natural. From looking at Fig. 4 which category of factors
do you think was the primary driver during that time period?
a.
The main driving force currently was the well-mixed GHC.
9.
What is the largest contributor of all of the radiative forcing?
a.
The well-mixed GHC, in my opinion, are the major radiative force sources.
10.
Which radiative forcing estimates do researchers have the most confidence in?
a.
The highest level of research confidence is in CO2 and N2O.
11.
Which radiative forcing estimates do researchers have the least confidence in?
a.
Short-lived gases and other radiative factors are those about which scientists are
least certain.
12.
What is the second highest well-mixed greenhouse gas when it comes to radiative
forcing? And what is the approximate difference in radiative forcing between it and the
highest?
a.
CH4 is the second-highest well-mixed GHC and has a 0.75 radiative force less
than CO2.
13.
From the Aerosols and precursors category, why do you think things such as black carbon
have the opposite radiative forcings?
a.
Black carbon is categorized as an agent that radiates force because of its capacity
to absorb light. It absorbs light, making it hotter, which has a direct impact on
climate change. It may have a secondary effect when combined with other
materials that absorb light.
14.
What three greenhouse gases had the largest positive radiative forcings among all the
forcing agents?
a.
The three GHGs with the strongest beneficial radiative effects are halocarbons,
N20, and HFCs-PFCs-SF6.
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Abeyta – Kinnevy
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Fig. 5.
15.
Write in your own words how you would describe to someone unfamiliar with the topic,
how the greenhouse effect works.
a.
The greenhouse effect is when infrared energy from the Sun is absorbed and re-
emitted in all directions by clouds and greenhouse gas molecules. The result is a
warming of the lower atmosphere and the Earth's surface.
16.
Then write a 100 word minimum summary about what you learned in this lab. Speak
mainly about the science aspects of what we have learned about global warming.
a.
I've learned from this lesson that the Earth has experienced periods of heating and
cooling. I now know that the Vostok Ice core Data graphic allows us to view the
earth's temperature fluctuations from about 422,000 years ago. Within a 10,000–
15,000-year period after the ice age, there were significant temperature increases.
Evidence indicates that a large portion of the atmosphere's rising concentration of
greenhouse gases comes from humans. Due to the interdependence of the various
climate change variables, it is challenging for scientists to isolate just one element
when studying them.
Works Cited
Geerts, B., & Linacre, L. (2002, March). Ice cores, CO2 concentration, and climate. Retrieved
October 18, 2022, from
http://wwwdas.uwyo.edu/~geerts/cwx/notes/chap01/icecore.html
The greenhouse effect
. British Geological Survey. (2021, June 4). Retrieved October 18, 2022,
from
https://www.bgs.ac.uk/discovering-geology/climate-change/how-does-the-
greenhouse-effect-work/#:~:text=The%20greenhouse%20effect%3A%20some
%20of,surface%20and%20the%20lower%20atmosphere
.
Abeyta – Kinnevy
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Chapter 3 — Global Warming of 1.5 ºc - intergovernmental panel on ...
(n.d.). Retrieved October
18, 2022, from
https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/chapter/chapter-3/