Week 14: Greenhouse Gases, Albedo, Global Warming

Week 14: Greenhouse Gases, Albedo, Global Warming

·       What did you do in lab?

During lab we learned more about climate change and the effect that it has globally. We watched two videos where scientists discussed the changing climate and their concerns for the future. We used an online simulation to explore photon absorption. We adjusted the variables to see how the molecules interact with each other. We also looked at graphs of CO2 levels and how they have risen over the years. I learned that dips in the levels are due to the changing of seasons. 

·       What was the big question?

The big question we discussed was: How does climate change affect the environment globally? 

·       What did you do in Thursdays discussion?

These are my notes from Thursday’s discussion:

·       There are more carbon dioxide levels now than 1.2 million years ago

·       We looked at temperature differences, and sea level data

·       There have been times of higher temperature, but humans were not able to live on earth.

·       Snowball earth is an example of this

·       Sources of natural variability:

o   Solar and volcanic forcings are the two dominant natural contributions

o   Albedo effect – measured from 0-1

·       Albedo effect:             

o   Surface with snow and ice reflects more heat

o   Surface without snow or ice absorbs more heat

·       Antarctica now has more than 65,000 meltwater lakes as summer ice melts

·       In Phoenix, Arizona, the urban heat island effect shows up as hotter temperatures in the city. Pavement retaining heat during the hot summer days, and releasing it after the sun goes down makes temperature hotter

·       We also discussed the benefits and calculated how much money is saved with solar panels and electric cars

·       Read the online textbook chapter 2. 

o   What did you learn?

One thing I learned from the textbook chapter is how quickly climate change has escalated in the recent years. This is due to the industrial revolution and the increase of fossil fuels into the atmosphere. Another new thing I learned is the idea of "tipping points". This is a point of no return due to it being so far gone. An example of a point of no return is in 1956 when the New York Times published an article about the role of carbon dioxide in human caused climate change. The date that this article was surprising to me because it was published a long time ago. Climate change was an issue that was being discussed earlier than most people think. 

o   What was most helpful?

Something that was especially helpful to me were the photos and graphics comparing ice and glacier melting. Another thing that was helpful to my learning was understanding how ice melting has effects across the globe. Ice melting in the north pole has effects on temperate and climate across the world. The feedback loop causes this cycle to continue the temperature to keep warming. 

o   What do you need more information on?

Something I need more information on is how countries and communities across the globe are adapting due to climate change. I would be interested to learn more about the role the government plays in helping slow down climate change and improve air quality, water quality, and overall cleanliness. It would be interesting to compare and contrast the different steps that they are taking. 

·       What questions, concerns, and/or comments do you have?

I do not have any further questions or comments.