Week 14: Science of Climate Change

   

 Week 14: Science of Climate Change

Learning in Lab:

This week in lab we looked at the science behind climate change and how it affects the atmosphere. We started by viewing a video that explains a background of the science behind climate change and how the greenhouse gases that are present in our atmosphere both help and contribute to the effects. The greenhouse effect looks at how solar radiation is either absorbed or reflected within Earth's atmosphere. A greenhouse gas such as Carbon Dioxide, absorbs the infrared light from the sun's rays and re-emits it throughout Earth, therefore this heat does not leave the atmosphere and creates a "blanket". We interacted with this concept through a Phet simulation where we tested how infrared light interacts with different greenhouse gases. Our results show that the following gases absorb and re-emit infrared light in differing amounts. We then looked at how the massive influx of CO2 in the atmosphere since the Industrial Age has contributed directly to the warming of temperatures. This in-turn has an affect on the melting of the ice-caps, an increase in melt-water lakes, decrease of convection currents in the oceans, etc. 

Phet Simulation

Learning in Lecture:

This week in lecture we talked about the effects of climate change and what contributes to these changes. We started the lecture by looking at a variety of graphs that show the recent influx in CO2 levels throughout the Earth. The massive increase appears after the Industrial Age when a large amount of fossil fuels were emitted into the atmosphere. For centuries, CO2 levels never rose above 300 ppm, however in 1950 the levels were at 320 ppm and our current level is 400 ppm. The three factors that contribute to climate change include the sun, volcanos, and human activities. The most prevalent cause of climate change is the impacts that humans actions have. One way we can justify this is through the albedo effect. This is the idea that light is reflected more easily off of light colors such as white compared to dark colors such as black or blue. The albedo effect is important to climate change because the sun's light is reflected off of the white ice caps in the North and South poles. The poles are responsible for cooling down the ocean currents while the equator warms them up, creating a convection current that moves nutrients throughout the ocean. However, the albedo in the poles are decreasing due to the increase in meltwater lakes that are less reflective than the ice. This does not cool the ocean currents to its desired level, and it will eventually not cool them at all causing a disappearance of convection currents. This is the most prevalent issue in climate change today. 

Phet Simulation Results

Textbook Connections:

1. What did you learn? 
This weeks pressbook discussed Global Climate Change and its effects. July 2019 was the hottest month to date since record has been kept back in 1880. Climate change is a human-caused issue do to the influx in fossil fuels and greenhouse gasses. This claim has been evident since 1861, however humans have rarely felt the need to act upon it. Global systems are impacted by climate change due to its positive feedback look that increases the effects. A variety of graphs and videos explain how this is a global issue that effects not only the temperature but the overall climate of the Earth. An increase in unexpected weather such as the polar vortex or extreme heat are warning signs. Melting sea ice and a decrease of albedo is the most prevalent issue in climate change today, resulting in meltwater lakes and glacier retreat. 

2. What was most helpful?
The most helpful part of this chapter is the videos and graphics that gave me a visual representation on the impacts of climate change and how it has been in effect for many years now. 

3. What do you need more information on?
I would like more information on the threats to coral reefs and the ecosystem disruptions. I understand that a decrease on ocean convection currents plays a role, but I would like to know more of the immediate impact and solutions. 

4. What questions, concerns, or comments to do you have? 
How can we educate our elders who pay attention to what the media says about climate change versus the actual science behind the issue. 

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