Climate change: a. Go to the timeline on the "Discovery of Global Warming" Web page of the American Institute of Physics (http://aip .org/history/climate/timeline.htm). When did scientists first suspect that \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) produced by humans might affect Earth's temperature? When were other anthropogenic greenhouse gases identified? When did scientific opinion about global warming start to converge? Click on "Venus \& Mars": How did observations of these planets add to an understanding of global climate change? Click on "Aerosols": How do these contribute to "global dimming"? b. The Fifth Assessment report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was released in October \(2014 .\) Go to the IPCC website section on the 2014 Synthesis report (http://ipcc.ch/report/ar5/syr/) and watch the 16-minute video. What are some of the causes of the in- crease in warming? What are some of the effects of warming seen in the polar regions? How are measurements from the past and present used to predict the climate in the future? c. Advanced: Go to the website for "Educational Global Climate Modeling," or EdGCM (http://edgcm.columbia.edu). This is a version of the NASA GISS modeling software that will enable students to run a functional three-dimensional global climate model on their laptop computers. Download the trial version and install it on your computer. What can you study with this program? What factors that contribute to global warming or to global cooling on Earth can you adjust in the model? Your instructor may give you an assignment using this program and the Earth Exploration Toolbook (http://serc.carleton.edu/eet/envisioningclimatechange/ index.html).

Step by step solution

01

Identify Suspicions of \(\text{CO}_2\) Impact on Earth's Temperature

Visit the timeline on the 'Discovery of Global Warming' Web page of the American Institute of Physics. Determine when scientists first suspected that \(\text{CO}_2\) produced by humans might affect Earth's temperature. This occurred in the 19th century, around the 1890s.

02

Identify Other Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gases

Using the same timeline, find out when other anthropogenic greenhouse gases were identified. This began happening in the mid-20th century, around the 1950s.

03

Convergence of Scientific Opinion on Global Warming

On the timeline, investigate when scientific opinion about global warming started to converge. This convergence started to occur in the late 20th century, particularly during the 1980s.

04

Understanding through Observations of Venus and Mars

Click on 'Venus & Mars' on the timeline. These observations helped scientists understand the role of greenhouse gases and surface temperature regulation on global climate change.

05

Role of Aerosols in Global Dimming

Click on 'Aerosols.' Learn how aerosols contribute to 'global dimming' by reflecting sunlight and cooling the Earth's surface.

06

Watch IPCC 2014 Synthesis Report Video

Go to the IPCC website section on the 2014 Synthesis report. Watch the 16-minute video to understand the causes of increased warming, effects on polar regions, and the use of past and present measurements to form future climate predictions.

07

Explore and Install EdGCM

Visit the EdGCM website and download the trial version of the NASA GISS modeling software. Install it on your computer to study climate patterns and adjust factors contributing to global warming or cooling.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Global Warming History

Understanding the history of global warming helps us see how scientific awareness has evolved over time. Scientists first began to suspect the impact of human-produced \(\text{CO}_2\) on Earth's temperature in the 1890s. This was a time when industrial activities were increasing, and it set the stage for later discoveries. The mid-20th century saw the identification of other anthropogenic greenhouse gases. This refers to gases produced by human activities such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). By the 1980s, scientific opinions started to converge on the reality of global warming, marking a significant milestone in climate science.

Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gases

Anthropogenic greenhouse gases are those emitted by human activities. \(CO_2\) is a primary greenhouse gas, but others include methane (CH4) from livestock and landfills, and nitrous oxide (N2O) from agricultural activities. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to the greenhouse effect. The persistence and build-up of these gases intensify global warming, affecting weather patterns, sea levels, and biodiversity. Systematic identification and regulation of these emissions are crucial for mitigating global climate change.

IPCC Fifth Assessment Report

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Fifth Assessment Report in October 2014. This synthesis report was a comprehensive update on climate science and its impacts. The report highlighted causes of increased warming, such as fossil fuel combustion and deforestation. It also discussed effects like melting polar ice and rising sea levels. Importantly, the report used data from past and present measurements to predict future climate scenarios, emphasizing the need for urgent action to prevent severe consequences.

NASA GISS Climate Model Software

Using the NASA GISS climate model software, specifically EdGCM, allows you to run three-dimensional global climate models on a laptop. This software helps study various climate patterns and factors influencing global warming or cooling. You can adjust variables like carbon dioxide levels and solar radiation to see their effects. This hands-on tool provides insight into how different factors contribute to climate change, making it a valuable educational resource for understanding and predicting climate dynamics.

Global Dimming

Global dimming refers to the reduction of sunlight reaching Earth's surface due to aerosol particles. These particles reflect sunlight back into space, causing a cooling effect. Aerosols come from sources like industrial emissions, volcanic eruptions, and combustion engines. While they can temporarily mitigate warming, they also have harmful effects on human health and can disrupt weather patterns. Understanding global dimming helps in balancing climate mitigation strategies, ensuring both warming and cooling factors are considered.

Venus and Mars Climate Comparison

Studying Venus and Mars provides valuable insights into greenhouse effects and planetary climates. Venus, with thick carbon dioxide clouds, experiences extreme greenhouse warming, resulting in surface temperatures hotter than Mercury, despite being further from the Sun. Mars, with its thin atmosphere, lacks significant greenhouse gases, leading to cold and arid conditions. Comparing these planets helps us understand the importance of atmospheric composition in regulating temperatures, offering lessons for managing Earth's climate.

Climate Prediction Models

Climate prediction models are essential for forecasting future climate scenarios. These models use mathematical equations to simulate the interactions of the atmosphere, oceans, land surface, and ice. Inputs like greenhouse gas concentrations and solar radiation levels are adjusted to predict global and regional climate changes. Advanced models also incorporate data from past climates to improve accuracy. These predictions guide policymakers in planning for climate impacts, emphasizing mitigation and adaptation strategies to safeguard the planet.