earth science lab-2

Global Warming and Climate Change PART 1: Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Levels in our Atmosphere over Time Figure 1: Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration at Mauna Loa, Hawaii 2017-2019. 1. Referring to Figure 1, describe how much the amount of CO2 levels vary over the course of one year. Figure 2: Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration at Mauna Loa, Hawaii since 1957.

2. Referring to Figure 2, calculate the total change in CO2 concentrations from 1957 to 2019. 3. What is the Average Annual Change in CO2 concentration? Remember: Total change ÷ Number of years of data collection = Ave. Rate of Change 4. The zig-zag pattern seen in Figure 2 represents seasonal changes in CO2 concentration. This is due to changes during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter season. The northern hemisphere is more densely populated and contains more land mass than the southern hemisphere thus there is a greater effect on CO2 levels. Suggest 2 reasons why CO2 concentration would increase when it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere. (Hint: consider what happens to plants in the winter time and how this would affect CO2 levels in the atmosphere and consider how the behavior of humans changes in the winter time.) Figure 3: Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration over the past 800,000 years. 5. What are the maximum and minimum CO2 levels before “0” years ago, and what is the natural range (difference between max and min) in CO2?

Figure 4. Global Fossil Carbon Emissions 9. What was the major source of carbon emissions between 1850 and 1900 (refer to Fig. 4)? 10. Considering your answer to #9, how did this change after 1950? 11. What other cause of increasing CO2 levels is shown on this graph besides the burning of fossil fuels? PART 2: Regional Temperature Records (The United States) Figure 5: Global land and ocean temperature anomalies. Image source: NOAA 12. Examine the graph (Fig. 5) or check out a table of the data shown above (on the website) and fill in the table here, below. Then, determine whether or not temperature shows a trend over time (is there a definite change?).

Time period Number of years with mean Temp. > 0°F to +1°F above normal Number of years with mean Temp. more than +1°F above normal Number of years with mean Temp. < 0°F to -1°F below normal 1880-1899 [num1] [num2] [num3] 1900-1919 [num4] [num5] [num6] 1920-1939 [num7] [num8] [num9] 1940-1959 [num10] [num11] [num12] 1960-1979 [num13] [num14] [num15] 1980-1999 [num16] [num17] [num18] 2000-2019 [num19] [num20] [num21] Trend over time? Warming, Cooling, no trend [trend1] Warming, Cooling, no trend [trend2] Warming, Cooling, no trend [trend3] 13. Have global temperatures risen or fallen since 1900, and how much have they changed? Risen or fallen? How much? Answer in Fahrenheit, do not include the unit, only the number 14. How do the dates of the coldest year compare to date of the coldest 5- year period (are the dates the same)? 15. How do the dates of the hottest year compare to date of the hottest 5- year period? 16. On average have global temperatures risen or fallen since 1900? After looking at this data set,

The answer you get will be in kilometers (km). For it to “make more sense,” you need to convert it to meters (1km = 1000m). Note: Number 21 is divided into two questions. This question, you will answer in feet . Remember, when you answer the question, do not include the units. 21. Sea Level Rise. The height to which the water column would rise is the “Sea Level Rise.” To put this number you calculated for sea level rise in terms you may better relate to, also convert it from meters to feet (1m = 3.28ft).