Assignment:
Climate data sources are suggesting global temperatures are getting warmer - what has been popularly termed "global warming."
Temperatures on average have risen by 0.7°C in the last century, the fastest within the last 1000 years. Often you will hear from the media that the temperatures have risen in this industrial age due the burning of fossil fuels and the release of extra carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere (Review the natural process we call the "greenhouse effect").
The following figure from your textbook shows that global mean temperatures have increased over land and water over the last 100 years.
Review the: Frozen in Time: the Ice Core Record by Holli Riebeek
A little over 1/2 way down the article are a couple of charts showing ice core temperature data over the last 400,000 years (just below the picture of the igloo-shaped tent). The top chart shows an enlargement of the highlighted area in the smaller chart underneath. On the smaller chart, drag that highlighted box to the left and right and watch on the upper, larger chart how the temperature data goes up and down over the 400,000 year period. Global temperatures in the the geologic past have gone from warm to cold through history, before the modern industrial age, and the burning of fossil fuels resulting in the release of extra CO2. In fact, in the past it is estimated that global temperatures have been warmer than they are today. Keep in mind that greenhouse gases such as water vapor and CO2 are gases that
naturally occur in the atmosphere and the amounts have fluctuated through history.
Discuss: On the Greenland temperature data from the web page provided, notice the trend line in temperatures as you move back in history, over a period of 400,000 years. Usually the general public is provided only with the data like that above showing the past 100 years or maybe even the past 1000 years, which only shows a general increase in temperatures. Tell us what you think this data from Greenland suggests regarding temperature trends, as opposed to looking at data that only spans the past 100 or even 1000 years. What possible insight do you get about the history of global temperatures when you observe data from Greenland going back 400,000 years? You might want to discuss
what is believed to be the reasons (there are numerous) for global warming, either in present time or in the distant past before industrialization and the burning of fossil fuels. You could also discuss why many scientists today believe that it is the industrial release of CO2 that is the main culprit of global warming. With this discussion question you will not be able to see other students' responses/posts until you have posted your response.
Must have a coherent argument, with correct grammar and punctuation. Must contain at least 5 sentences.