Discussion: Global Warming

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DiscussionGlobal Warming

• Examine, in groups of 2 or so, the following
  series of diagrams.
• Try to reconstruct the arguments concerning
  global warming identifying the certainties and
  uncertainties in the arguments. Where do you
  stand on this grave public policy issue?

2

• Contemplate the arguments in this logical
  sequence
• The cycling of carbon is subject to change -
  more CO2 can be released into the atmosphere CO_at_
  is a greenhouse gas Role of greenhouse gases,
  importance of greenhouse gases in global heat
  budget Evidence for a relationship between
  climate and historic CO2 levels Evidence for
  20thC warming Changes in atmospheric CO2
  concentration because of human activity.
• What is the probability of humans being involved
  in global warming?

3
Global warming concerns changes in worldwide
carbon cycling. Give a short summary statement
about the carbon cycle.
4
Global Heat Budget What are greenhouse gases?
Name some. What is the importance of the
greenhouse effect?
5
How is this figure created, and what are its
implications for the arguments concerning global
warming?
6
This is a typical presentation of the global
warming trend. Using this and details gleaned
from the video how reasonable do you think the
evidence for 20C global warming is?
What is the difference between this climate
record and weather records?
7
The Keeling Curve Identify and explain at least
2 dominant trend in the data.
8
Put together a short summary argument of why
there are concerns about potential anthropogenic
global warming
9
There are concerns about differences between
model predictions and observations. Can you
hypothesize about divergences between prediction
and reality?
10
Fuel Alternatives

• Why does the global warming debate have
  implications for debates over energy use in the
  future?
• The video we watched seemed pessimistic about the
  potential for replacing current energy practices
  for alternatives.
• What energy solutions do you think are realistic?

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Notes