Lab 4. Lab Questions

LAB QUESTIONS

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? Natural causes of climate change are livestock (cows) producing methane gas. Human-made causes that can be seen are deforestation for crops, homes, oil drilling and businesses. Pollution from transportation releases carbon dioxide (CO2) into the air and the use of electricity to run homes and businesses creates greenhouse gases. From 1750 to current, transportation (cars, planes etc.) have been contributing to greenhouse gas production our population has increase and more crops and homes have been built which also include land use, ozone depletion, animal agriculture and deforestation. The production of oil drilling, factories and power plants have also been added to our world since 1750. The module predicts that our population will double and there will be even more greenhouse gases being trapped by our ozone layer.

2. According to the computer model and your readings, which source(s) of heat-trapping pollution contribute the most to climate change? Explain. Carbon dioxide according to the computer model and my readings contribute the most pollution resulting in climate change. CO2 has always been in the atmosphere naturally to allow for some heat to be transmitted, but with increased transportation and other fossil fuel reliant items, such as electricity, the amount of CO2 produced has increased and its reflecting for sunlight back onto earth and releasing less. Deforestation also has contributed to the CO2 increase. When trees are burned CO2 that's present inside is released and the more CO2 released permits more CO2 to become trapped in the ozone allowing more heat reproduction, increasing temperature.

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?

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

5. Briefly describe three impacts of climate change on people - e.g., economic, health, safety, national security. Cite examples from course readings.