W2 Global Warming & Your Carbon Footprint
- Page ID
- 48542
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)You are to begin the project by logging in as a “New First Time User” to the CPR server using your DVC id#:
http://cpr.molsci.ucla.edu/cpr/cpr/login.asp
If you have not already done so:
Select: Diablo Valley College (NOT: Diablo Valley College oh)
After logging in you are to take a tour:
http://cpr.molsci.ucla.edu/cpr/tours...dent/stop1.asp
Then complete the CPR pre-test.
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Project Preview:
ARC-AWE-CPR & the ChemWiki
ARC: Academic Reading Circles
To improve comprehension collectively & individually through introspective, guided reading
AWE: Academic Writing Exercises
To improve communication & writing skills using gains in comprehension
CPR: Calibrated Peer Review
To improve self-awareness and critical writing skills using comparative peer evaluation
The ChemWiki:
To improve language & communication skills by expanding vocabulary
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There are 13 guiding questions that are to be answered in your own written words, and submitted on-line using the on-line references, which provide the background reading and information to develop the answers: One most important overarching reference relates to plagiarism, please read it carefully. The writing must be your individual written work alone, but you can share the information within your Academic Reading Circle (ARC) group;
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the greenhouse effect?
Scientist have shown that one-third of the suns energy makes its way to earth and much of the rest actually reflects off the clouds as well as the planet’s surface reflecting back into space. Most of the remaining energy winds up being consumed by Earth’s land and oceans. Our land and our ocean then ultimately emit infra-red radiation, which is then consumed by trace gases back in the atmosphere. This is then released in all directions, even back down again to Earth’s surface. It is this back and forth round of energy that we call the greenhouse effect.
2. What are the 4 most important greenhouse gases?
The four most important green house gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor.
3. How can relatively small concentrations of greenhouse gases have such a large impact on global surface temperatures?
CO2 remains in the atmosphere longer than any other greenhouse gas, lasting up to 200 years (Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). This means that carbon can build up over an extended period of time. Humanity's industrial and population growth have done just this. CO2 is especially efficient in absorbing infrared radiation from the sun and transmitting it out again. As it obtains a photon from the radiation, CO2 vibrates and then passes on the photon. This cycle repeats between molecules and creates a net effect of trapped heat. Since CO2 is so effective at transferring heat, it does not require much of it to cause the temperature of the atmosphere to increase substantially. CO2 and other greenhouse gasses act like a blanket around the earth. As the dimensions of the blanket grow, the more heat is trapped, thus making the earth warmer.
4. Not all greenhouse gases contain a carbon atom. Why has carbon been focused on as the leading global warming concern?
Humanity has turned toward fossil fuels as its chief source of energy. This releases a vast amount of CO2 into the atmosphere. Furthermore, CH4 emissions from livestock have increased steadily in the past few decades. Since there is no large scale process breaking down these emissions, they remain in the stratosphere. Predicted efforts to reduce carbon emissions would cost an enormous amount of capital that would alter the global economy. Furthermore, global cooperation to achieve this goal would be an issue within itself.
5. How much CO2 is presently in the atmosphere?
As of now, the atmosphere consists of approximately 400 ppb of CO2.
6. How do we know CO2 in the atmosphere is increasing?
We are able to base our CO2 levels today from CO2 levels found in ancient ice bubbles trapped deep in the ice core of Antarctica and Greenland as well. We can take the CO2 levels from this time and then use air samples from around the world today to make comparisons. Scientist can conclude with this data that CO2 levels in our atmosphere have increased significantly in the more recent years. When we look at the two greatest gases in our atmosphere we can focus on Methane and Carbon dioxide. Methane is a greater greenhouse gas, but it disperses and breaks down more easily than carbon dioxide. However, both are said to be “potent and durable” (Special Report, 2015).
7. How has the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere changed over time in the last 200 years?....... over the past hundreds of thousands of years?
With all of this information scientists have concluded that there is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today than any other point over the last 650,000. Carbon dioxide reaches its greatest warming effect almost ten years after it was discharged into the atmosphere. Human influence on the environment is extensive. Through deforestation we create vast open spaces, which causes more reflection of the suns’ rays. We also influence cloud populace and location with chemical emissions from factories etc., all of which contribute to the greenhouse effect. The list is endless, with us being an all consuming society that really doesn’t care about the consequences of our growth and industrialization. Scientists may try to blame climate change on Earth’s orbit or even volcanic eruptions, which can cause subtle alterations to Earth’s climate, but one factor they have not been able to rule out is that of greenhouse gas, particularly CO2.
It has been shown to be clearly connected with that of the industrial revolution, when the use of burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas for energy began to increase rapidly. If you look at the world today, you will see an even bigger consumption of those resources, which will account for the even higher CO2 levels seen in our atmosphere.
A plan has been proposed that attempts to solve the issue of global warming, 2 degrees C. This plan, if implemented globally, it will put us on the path of limiting the amount of greenhouse gases we contribute and lower the CO2 levels substantially. This plan will require the great commitment of developing new technologies and contributing huge investments, but the repercussions if we fail to act quickly will be devastating.
8. How do we know that humans are responsible for the sudden increase in CO2?
According to the research of the Earth System Research Laboratory's Global Monitoring Division, the sudden increase in CO2 began around the year 1760, which also happens to be the time of the Industrial Revolution where man began to use machinery, powered by fossil fuels. By comparing the years from before and after 1760, we can see a positive correlation between human activity and the increase in CO2.
9. What is the carbon cycle?
The carbon cycle refers to the process through which carbon is circulated through the atmosphere, down to earth, and back into the atmosphere. Carbon is produced in plants through photosynthesis. Plants are eaten by animals and the carbon is transferred between organisms. Carbon is given off back into the atmosphere through decaying organisms, respiration of said organisms, and the burning of fossil fuels.
10. Why is burning fossil fuels the main focus of global climate concerns?
Fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas. They are primarily composed of carbon. The burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere which causes global warming. For example, due to the proliferation of the population across the world, and its subsequent need for transportation, the more petrol humanity needs, the more carbon dioxide will be released. As explained in questions 1 & 3, this will eventually increase the temperature of the world. Since the Industrial Revolution, mankind has moved away from coal and now depends heavily on fossil fuels as a means to feed the fires of industry. Reduction of fossil fuel emissions would need to be a global effort that would require changing the foundations of society itself. Taking away the crutch of fossil fuels would collapse the economy of the modern world.
11. What are the possible alternative energy resources that can replace fossil fuels, and why is solar energy perhaps the most important among them?
They are some renewable energies which could possibly replace fossil fuels. These include, solar power, energy from the sun, wind energy, which is produced from the movement of air, hydropower energy, which produced from moving water, and, last but no least, biomass energy, which comes from plants and animals. Wind power is abundant and is already used in wind turbines.Hydropower is harnessed mainly from rivers through the use of dams. However burning Biomass can cause air pollution and disposing of the ash can also be a problem.
Solar power is the most important because it is a consist, cheap, and highly renewable source of energy. Solar energy can be directly converted into power that is useful for a plethora of functions. Solar energy would allow everyone to have an independent system of electricity without having to pay energy bills.The sun emits more energy than we could ever hope to harness, thus making it the ultimate well of clean energy.
12. How does CO2 relate to: 1) the increase in ocean acidity, 2) to acid-base equilibrium, and 3) to what would happen if the buffering effects in the oceans were to stop?
Increasing amounts of carbon dioxide is putting oceans in a precarious situation. With oceans absorbing and reacting with the CO2, carbonic acid is being produced at a dangerously high rate. Richard Feely, an oceanographer who has been studying the ocean's carbon cycle, explains that the carbonic acid releases hydrogen ions, which combine with carbonate in seawater to form bicarbonate, a form of carbon that doesn't escape the ocean easily. Thus, the continued production will disrupt the oceanic acid-base equilibrium. If this problem persists, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explains that the carbon dioxide would sink deeper and warm the ocean depths, slowing down ocean circulation and eventually disturbing the formation of sea ice. Then we would see ice caps melt, ocean levels rise, and coastal cities become flooded.
13. What are the overall concerns if the carbon cycle’s CO2 equilibrium level is not re-set to a lower concentration level?
Higher concentrations of water vapor and CO2 in the atmosphere, are causing excessive rain that scientists fear may lead to flooding. As the temperature of the atmosphere rises, storms become more violent and produce much more water. Scientists have warned us for years about the dangers of global warming, but now they are becoming a reality. New York Times, 2016, highlights some concerns from the NOAA: 1) disintegration of polar ice sheets, 2) rising sea levels, 3) a trigger for a chain of events that could prove disastrous, and most importantly 4) a problem for future generations.
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SOURCES: Journals, Magazines, Newspapers, Presentations
1. :Basics of the Carbon Cycle & the Greenhouse Effect - National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Global Greenhouse Gas Reference
URL: http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/basics.html
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History of atmospheric carbon dioxide from 800,000 years ago until January, 2014. - National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Global Greenhouse Gas Reference
URL: http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/history.html
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Meeting the Climate-Change Challenge: Powerpoint Presentation - SES Distinguished Scientist Seminar Marine Biological Laboratory Woods Hole
URL: http://chemconnections.org/Global%20...g-06.ed-JPL.pdf
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Mitigation of Climate Change: IPCC Powerpoint Presentation - Mitigating Global Warming
URL: http://chemconnections.org/Global%20...esentation.pdf
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Why scientists are (almost) certain that climate change is man-made - The Economist, Nov 2nd 2014
URL: http://chemconnections.org/Global%20...0Economist.pdf
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The science of climate change - The Economist, Nov 28th 2015
URL: http://chemconnections.org/Global%20...0Economist.pdf
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Three possible future paths for annual global greenhouse gas - Science Magazine: Nov. 2016
URL: http://chemconnections.org/Global%20....2016.full.pdf
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Short Answers to Hard Questions About Climate Change - New York Times, 2016
URL: http://chemconnections.org/Global%20...rk%20Times.pdf
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A heated mirror for future climate - Science Magazine: April 2016
URL: http://chemconnections.org/Global%20....2016.full.pdf
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Scientists Warn of Perilous Climate Shift Within Decades, Not Centuries - New York Times, March 22, 2016
URL: http://chemconnections.org/Global%20...rk%20Times.pdf
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Failure to address global warming will cost many lives - The Economist, Dec 10th 2015
URL: http://chemconnections.org/Global%20...0Economist.pdf
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Oceans and climate science - The rise in sea levels may be accelerating - The Economist, Jan 17th 2015
URL: http://chemconnections.org/Global%20...0Economist.pdf
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Rising Sea Levels May Disrupt Lives of Millions - New York Times, MARCH 14, 2016
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Climate Change is Weaponizing the Atmosphere - Bloomberg, JULY 29, 2016
URL:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articl...-for-your-town
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READ ® collectively interpret ® apply in your individual writing
This page is closed to all but your ARC-group. Use this page as a messaging, communications and repository tool to develop and edit answers to the guiding questions in Part ! as advised: http://chemconnections.org/general/chem106/Global%20Warming.pdf
Your ARC-group members, their e-mail addresses FOLLOW:NOTE: In your CPR submission you must write everything in your own words. Beware of plagiarism.
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Aria McAninch (Average) |
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David Zhu (High Quality DVC Student) |
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Duncan Morrison |
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Tiffany Galer |
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William Tse |
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Part 2 (Carbon Footprint): To be done independently.
Complete the Nature Conservancy’s survey, record and report your respective personal levels relating to the following four areas:
Home Energy
Driving & Flying
Food & Diet
Recycling & Waste
Answer the related questions.
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In which of the four areas do you contribute the most carbon?
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In relation to the area of Home Energy: What can you do to improve your carbon footprint?
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In relation to the area of Driving & Flying: What can you do to improve your carbon footprint?
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In relation to the area of Food & Diet: What is the recommended daily energy (food) intake for you personally, using either the U.S. or Australian guidelines?
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How does your current diet compare to a healthy diet using the Australian on-line survey?
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What can you do to improve your carbon footprint relative to Food & Diet?
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In relation to the area of Recycling & Waste: What can you do to improve your carbon footprint relative to Recylcing & Waste?
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