Climate Change PDF

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Climate Change assignment...

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Global Climate Change Homework, 20 pts. Watch Global Climate Change 101 by National Geographic, a brief overview of the causes and consequences of global climate change  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4H1N_yXBiA 1. How is the greenhouse effect essential to life on earth? Refer to the CH 5 ppt lecture, or search the answer online. .5 pts. The greenhouse effect is essential to maintaining a balance of temperature conditions on Earth. 2. Why is the current increase to the greenhouse a problem? .5 pts. This increase is a problem, because more heat is trapped in the atmosphere not allowing the light and uv energy to escape from the atmosphere/ozone layer causing the temperature to rise. 3. Where is the water increasing sea level coming from? .5 pts. The extra water is coming from that previously contained in glaciers that melted, adding to the sea level. 4. Is climate change simply warming worldwide? What are two other effects that have an impact to living organisms? 1 pt. The greenhouse effect and the sea level rising problems along with temperatures rising impact living organisms. Download and refer to Climate Change Impacts in the United States (see pdf). 5. What large entity requested the production of this 841 page assessment of climate change impacts by sector and region? .5 pts. http://s3.amazonaws.com/nca2014/high/NCA3_Climate_Change_Impacts_in_the_United %20States_HighRes.pdf The U.S. Global Change Research Program. 6. When was it published? .5 pts. It was published in 2014. Use the Table of Contents at the beginning of the report to navigate the document. “Sectors” include categories such as “Human Health”, while Regions include geographic regions of the country. 7. What are two human health impacts noted in the report; note the page number. 1 pt. Public health can be affected by disruptions of physical, biological, and ecological which can lead to increased respiratory and cardiovascular disease. (Page 221) 8. What are two impacts (re: living organisms / human health) to urban areas OR to our region (New England, in the Northeast); note the page number. 1 pt. Increased amounts of air pollution present increased cases of asthma in the northeast. Also, resulting wildfire smoke moves north through the Northeast causing respiratory and cardiovascular hospitalizations. (pages 222-223)

9. Read the one-page description of Hurricane Sandy on page 287. This is an example both of kinds of storms that are increasingly common due to climate change, and the importance of recognizing their increased severity. What critical climate resilience strategy prevented catastrophic loss of life? .5 pts. They stopped the operation of the city’s subway system prior to the storm hitting. 10. “Today, sea levels are rising ___200____% faster than 20 years ago.” 1 pt. 11. What are two major (relatively nearby) US cities that are may be significantly impacted by sea level rise? 1 pt. New York City and Boston. 12. What is the current status of the Paris agreement on climate change (e.g. # of countries committed). Is the United States committed to the agreement? 1 pt. 187 countries have become a party to it. The US is not in it. 13. What percent of the world’s carbon emissions are generated by the United States? 1 pt. 14.75% View the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MXoUbsswHY 14. Do you think that people fleeing the effects of climate change such as those in Kiribati should be recognized as refugees? Why/why not? 1 pt. Yes, they should be because they are escaping climate changes that cause their local areas to be unsuitable for living. Now take a look at and read the following three brief online articles about the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 2018 report on the arctic. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-arctic/arctic-posts-second-warmest-year-on-recordin-2018-u-s-noaa-idUSKBN1OA1SP http://fortune.com/2018/12/11/climate-change-global-warming-noaa-arctic-report-card-2018/ https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/arctic-report-card-tracks-region-s-environmental-changes 15. Why is there a special focus on the arctic? 1 pt. This is where much of the temperature rising has significant effects that start a ripple effect around other ecosystems. 16. What % of “oldest ice” has the arctic lost? Why is this important? 1 pt. 95% has been lost. This is important, because not only is this nearly all of it, but it has tangible impacts on nearly every aspect of life on earth. 17. What are the effects of toxic algae blooms on marine organisms. 1 pt. Marine animals ingest considerable amount of toxins present in smaller organisms, causing serious & fatal effects on these animals.

18. What might the human health and economic impacts be of climate change effects on marine organisms including fish? 1 pt. The presence of more toxins in oceans and water along with warmer temperatures presents fish and marine organisms for an increased risk in their living environment. 19. What were the sources of the three different articles (publishers, authors), and what do you think is the perspective of each? 1 pt. The U.S. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Richard Valdmanis, Brittany Shoot, & Monica Allen. They all present similar concerns on the effect climate change has to the ocean and marine life. One more question, next page Visit https://cotap.org/reduce-carbon-footprint/ 21. Identify 3 possible ways that you, personally, could realistically reduce your carbon footprint. 3 pts. Action to reduce my carbon footprint

Reducing my consumption of singleuse plastics

Having a more plantbased diet

Recycle where possible

Why would this help?

Are there any obstacles or challenges to making this change?

Recycling and being mindful of the waste you produce can have a ripple effect on those around you. Not buying into the animal meat production industry saves water/land use. Reduces single-use plastics and repurposes them.

To-go containers in Bartels are nonreusable.

How likely are you to make this change on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 very likely, and 1 very unlikely and 3 a firm maybe) I actively try 4

It can be difficult to purchase this food on a budget.

I’m a vegetarian 4

Not all locations especially on campus promote recycling.

I try where possible 5...