Greenhouse Gases

Name

SCI 207 Dependence of Man on the Environment

Greenhouse Gases

Instructor

Date

1. Identify natural and human-made causes of climate change visible in the computer simulation. According to the computer model, how have sources of heat-trapping pollution changed from 1750 to today? How does the simulation predict they will change by 2050?

Climate changes are the result of the damage that we do every day from the use of fossil fuels as well as the contamination we put into the environment. The source of heat trapping has increased sense 1750. Those numbers will get bigger over the course of the next 49 years.

2. According to the computer model and your readings, which source(s) of heat-trapping pollution contribute the most to climate change? Explain.

Globally 30.6 billion tons of carbon pollution is emitted into the atmosphere. This comes primarily from our modes of transportation. Cars, trucks, and planes are just to name a few of our transportations.

3. Recalling your observations from the three time periods, how has the thickening blanket of heat-trapping pollution affected Earth's temperature between 1750 and today? How will the blanket and Earth's temperature look in 2050? Does the simulation predict that positive feedbacks will kick in by 2050 (e.g., does the temperature increase appear to be accelerating)? According to your readings, what might explain positive feedbacks?

The temperature was 57 in 1750 and today it is 59. It definitely went up. In 2050 the temperature will increase to 63 and the blanket will become thicker as you will see in simulation. 2050 predicts positive feedback. That positive feedback comes due to the global commitment, big business, and everyday people making better choices. The government does there part by placing stricter regulations on big business. Big business does there part by conforming to new eco friendly government regulations. Every day John and Jane Q do their part by supporting their government and supporting those companies that confirm, and also doing things like car pooling and recycling.

4. Briefly describe three impacts of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity. Cite examples from course readings.

Agriculture, land resources, and water supplies are all major things impacted by climate changes. Agriculture because of the changing temperatures, rather above or below normal in the areas where crops are grown and produce is kept. Land resources because of the damage done to our forest systems. Is water supplies are decreasing due to evaporation from the increased temperatures? The last one I see yearly in Michigan as the great lakes seem to