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Questions about the factors that have caused a rise in global temperatures over the past century How has the burning of fossil fuels contributed to the rise in global temperatures? What role has deforestation played in increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and global temperatures? To what extent have agricultural practices, such as livestock production and fertilizer use, impacted global temperature change? Research findings The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, releases large amounts of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, leading to a gradual increase in global temperatures. Deforestation removes trees, which act as natural carbon sinks by absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. When forests are cleared, this stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere, further contributing to global warming. Agricultural practices, particularly livestock production and fertilizer use, emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases, including methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). These gases have a much stronger warming effect than CO2, intensifying the greenhouse effect and driving global temperature rise. Graph analysis Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the Atmosphere (2015-2022) The graph shows a consistent upward trend in atmospheric CO2 levels from 2015 to 2022. This increase indicates that the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is accelerating. Change in Global Temperature (2015-2022) The graph depicts a fluctuating pattern in global temperature changes from 2015 to 2022. While there are minor variations from year to year, the overall trend suggests a gradual increase in global temperatures. Relationship between CO2 and Global Temperature The observed parallel trends in rising CO2 levels and global temperatures suggest a strong correlation between the two phenomena. The increase in greenhouse gases, primarily CO2, is trapping more heat from the sun, leading to a gradual rise in global temperatures. Prediction for the next 10 years Based on historical trends, the next 10 years are likely to see continued increases in atmospheric CO2 levels and global temperatures. The current rate of greenhouse gas emissions suggests that global temperatures could rise by an additional 0.2-0.4°C by 2032. Conclusion Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have played a significant role in driving the rise in global temperatures over the past century. The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases, primarily CO2, is trapping more heat from the sun, leading to a gradual warming of the Earth's atmosphere. If current trends continue, global temperatures are expected to rise further in the coming decades, with potentially severe consequences for the planet's ecosystems and human society.
Here is a more detailed discussion of the answers to the questions and the analysis of the graphs: Question 1: How has the burning of fossil fuels contributed to the rise in global temperatures? The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, is the primary driver of human-induced climate change. These fuels release large amounts of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), into the atmosphere. CO2 is a transparent gas that allows sunlight to pass through but traps heat from the sun, causing a gradual increase in global temperatures. This phenomenon is known as the greenhouse effect. Since the Industrial Revolution, the burning of fossil fuels has led to a significant increase in atmospheric CO2 levels, from about 280 parts per million (ppm) to over 400 ppm today. This increase in CO2 has been the main cause of the observed rise in global temperatures over the past century. Question 2: What role has deforestation played in increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and global temperatures? Forests play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate by absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. Trees act as carbon sinks, storing carbon in their trunks, branches, leaves, and roots. When forests are cleared, this stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere as CO2, contributing to the greenhouse effect and driving global warming. Deforestation also reduces the overall carbon sink capacity of the Earth, making it more difficult to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Additionally, deforestation can lead to changes in land-use practices, such as agriculture, which can further increase greenhouse gas emissions. Question 3: To what extent have agricultural practices, such as livestock production and fertilizer use, impacted global temperature change? Agricultural practices, particularly livestock production and fertilizer use, have a significant impact on global temperature change. Livestock, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, produce large amounts of methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas that is 25 times more effective at trapping heat than CO2. Methane emissions from livestock production account for about 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, fertilizer use in agriculture releases nitrous oxide (N2O), another potent greenhouse gas that is about 300 times more effective at trapping heat than CO2. Fertilizer use is responsible for about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Graph Analysis Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the Atmosphere (2015-2022) The graph showing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from 2015 to 2022 reveals a consistent upward trend. This indicates that the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is accelerating. The steady increase in CO2 levels suggests that human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, are continuing to drive the rise in greenhouse gas concentrations. Change in Global Temperature (2015-2022) The graph depicting the change in global temperature from 2015 to 2022 exhibits a fluctuating pattern. While there are minor variations from year to year, the overall trend
suggests a gradual increase in global temperatures. This indicates that the Earth's climate is changing, and the warming trend is likely to continue. Relationship between CO2 and Global Temperature The observed parallel trends in rising CO2 levels and global temperatures suggest a strong correlation between the two phenomena. The increase in greenhouse gases, primarily CO2, is trapping more heat from the sun, leading to a gradual rise in global temperatures. This relationship highlights the critical role of greenhouse gases in driving climate change. Prediction for the next 10 years Based on historical trends and current emissions projections, the next 10 years are likely to see continued increases in atmospheric CO2 levels and global temperatures. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that global temperatures could rise by an additional 0.2-0.4°C by 2032. This continued warming could have significant consequences for ecosystems, human health, and global economies.
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Conclusion Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and unsustainable agricultural practices, have played a dominant role in driving the rise in global temperatures over the past century. The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, primarily CO2, is trapping more heat from the sun, leading to a gradual warming of the Earth's climate. If current trends continue, global temperatures are expected to rise further in the coming decades, with potentially severe consequences for the planet and its inhabitants. Addressing climate change requires a concerted global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to sustainable practices Examples: Global temperature analysis Explanation: Approach to solving the question: Analysis of the global temperatures. Detailed explanation: Questions about the factors that have caused a rise in global temperatures over the past century How has the burning of fossil fuels contributed to the rise in global temperatures? What role has deforestation played in increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and global temperatures? To what extent have agricultural practices, such as livestock production and fertilizer use, impacted global temperature change? Research findings
The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, releases large amounts of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, leading to a gradual increase in global temperatures. Deforestation removes trees, which act as natural carbon sinks by absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. When forests are cleared, this stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere, further contributing to global warming. Agricultural practices, particularly livestock production and fertilizer use, emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases, including methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). These gases have a much stronger warming effect than CO2, intensifying the greenhouse effect and driving global temperature rise. Graph analysis Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the Atmosphere (2015-2022) The graph shows a consistent upward trend in atmospheric CO2 levels from 2015 to 2022. This increase indicates that the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is accelerating. Change in Global Temperature (2015-2022) The graph depicts a fluctuating pattern in global temperature changes from 2015 to 2022. While there are minor variations from year to year, the overall trend suggests a gradual increase in global temperatures. Relationship between CO2 and Global Temperature The observed parallel trends in rising CO2 levels and global temperatures suggest a strong correlation between the two phenomena. The increase in greenhouse gases, primarily CO2, is trapping more heat from the sun, leading to a gradual rise in global temperatures. Prediction for the next 10 years Based on historical trends, the next 10 years are likely to see continued increases in atmospheric CO2 levels and global temperatures. The current rate of greenhouse gas emissions suggests that global temperatures could rise by an additional 0.2-0.4°C by 2032. Conclusion Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have played a significant role in driving the rise in global temperatures over the past century. The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases, primarily CO2, is trapping more heat from the sun, leading to a gradual warming of the Earth's atmosphere. If current trends continue, global temperatures are expected to rise further in the coming decades, with potentially severe consequences for the planet's ecosystems and human society. Here is a more detailed discussion of the answers to the questions and the analysis of the graphs: Question 1: How has the burning of fossil fuels contributed to the rise in global temperatures? The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, is the primary driver of human-induced climate change. These fuels release large amounts of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), into the atmosphere. CO2 is a transparent gas that allows sunlight to pass through but traps heat from the sun, causing a gradual increase in global
temperatures. This phenomenon is known as the greenhouse effect. Since the Industrial Revolution, the burning of fossil fuels has led to a significant increase in atmospheric CO2 levels, from about 280 parts per million (ppm) to over 400 ppm today. This increase in CO2 has been the main cause of the observed rise in global temperatures over the past century. Question 2: What role has deforestation played in increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and global temperatures? Forests play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate by absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. Trees act as carbon sinks, storing carbon in their trunks, branches, leaves, and roots. When forests are cleared, this stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere as CO2, contributing to the greenhouse effect and driving global warming. Deforestation also reduces the overall carbon sink capacity of the Earth, making it more difficult to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Additionally, deforestation can lead to changes in land-use practices, such as agriculture, which can further increase greenhouse gas emissions. Question 3: To what extent have agricultural practices, such as livestock production and fertilizer use, impacted global temperature change? Agricultural practices, particularly livestock production and fertilizer use, have a significant impact on global temperature change. Livestock, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, produce large amounts of methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas that is 25 times more effective at trapping heat than CO2. Methane emissions from livestock production account for about 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, fertilizer use in agriculture releases nitrous oxide (N2O), another potent greenhouse gas that is about 300 times more effective at trapping heat than CO2. Fertilizer use is responsible for about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Graph Analysis Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the Atmosphere (2015-2022) The graph showing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from 2015 to 2022 reveals a consistent upward trend. This indicates that the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is accelerating. The steady increase in CO2 levels suggests that human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, are continuing to drive the rise in greenhouse gas concentrations. Change in Global Temperature (2015-2022) The graph depicting the change in global temperature from 2015 to 2022 exhibits a fluctuating pattern. While there are minor variations from year to year, the overall trend suggests a gradual increase in global temperatures. This indicates that the Earth's climate is changing, and the warming trend is likely to continue. Relationship between CO2 and Global Temperature The observed parallel trends in rising CO2 levels and global temperatures suggest a strong correlation between the two phenomena. The increase in greenhouse gases, primarily CO2, is trapping more heat from the sun, leading to a gradual rise in global temperatures. This relationship highlights the critical role of greenhouse gases in driving climate change. Prediction for the next 10 years
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Based on historical trends and current emissions projections, the next 10 years are likely to see continued increases in atmospheric CO2 levels and global temperatures. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that global temperatures could rise by an additional 0.2-0.4°C by 2032. This continued warming could have significant consequences for ecosystems, human health, and global economies.
Conclusion Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and unsustainable agricultural practices, have played a dominant role in driving the rise in global temperatures over the past century. The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, primarily CO2, is trapping more heat from the sun, leading to a gradual warming of the Earth's climate. If current trends continue, global temperatures are expected to rise further in the coming decades, with potentially severe consequences for the planet and its inhabitants. Addressing climate change requires a concerted global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to sustainable practices Examples: Global temperature analysis Key references: Question 1: How has the burning of fossil fuels contributed to the rise in global temperatures? Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2021). Sixth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2021, The Physical Science Basis. Working Group I. Archer, D. (2008). The Global Carbon Cycle. Princeton University Press. Hansen, J., Sato, M., Ruedy, R., & Lo, K. (2010). Global surface temperature change. Reviews of Geophysics, 48(4), RG4009. Question 2: What role has deforestation played in increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and global temperatures?
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2020). Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020: Key findings. FAO. Van der Werf, G. R., Randerson, J. T., Giglio, L., Collatz, G. J., Mu, M., Kasibogak, M., & van Leeuwen, T. A. (2010). Global fire emissions and the contribution of deforestation, savanna burning, agricultural fires, and peatlands fires. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 10(15), 11707-11735. Bonan, G. B. (2008). Forests and Climate Change: An Overview. Environmental Research Letters, 3(4), 04001. Question 3: To what extent have agricultural practices, such as livestock production and fertilizer use, impacted global temperature change? Gerber, P. J., Steinfeld, H., Henderson, B., Pascucci, S., Kastner, T., & de Haan, C. (2010). Global environmental consequences of livestock production. Environmental Science & Technology, 43(12), 4667-4674. Stehfest, E., Bouwman, L., van Vuuren, D. P., Brinkman, M., van der Pol, M., & Wissing, H. (2009). N2O emissions from agriculture. Current knowledge, gaps and potential for mitigation. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 84(3), 228-235. Smith, P., Bustamante, L. D., Ahammad, H., Clark, H., Dong, H., Elsiddig, E. A., ... & Watson-Jenkins, C. (2019). Agriculture, forestry and other land use (AFOLU). Climate Change and Land: An IPCC Special Report on climate change, land and land-use in relation to climate change mitigation, adaptation and sustainability (pp. 443-582). Cambridge University Press. Graph Analysis National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (2023). Global Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Concentrations. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). (2023). Global Surface Temperature Change. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Working Group I. Chapter 2: Latest climate trends. Prediction for the next 10 years Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2021). Sixth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2021, The Physical Science Basis. Working Group I. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2020). Emissions Gap Report 2020. Climate Action Tracker. (2023). Climate Action Tracker: Update May 2023. Conclusion Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2021). Sixth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2021, The Physical Science Basis. Working Group I. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (2021). Paris Agreement. World Resources Institute (WRI). (2023). Climate Watch: Tracking Global Climate Trends.
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