Post on 15-Jan-2016
HUB Quiz update: OPTIONAL. Complete quiz by 10pm Thursday and it will replace another lower daily grade.• Please read the board carefully!
Looking awesome in my tuxedo today!
Current Climate change effects in the Antarctic
• Better known as the Penguin Activity
What we know for sure about climate change:
• Mechanism of the greenhouse effect• CO2 at the beginning of the Industrial
revolution: 280ppm• CO2 today: 398ppm
• CO2 increases .5%/year• Since 1860 global mean temp has
increased .6-.7oC (1.1-1.4oF)
IPCC: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change• UN group of scientists representing almost
every country• Jan 2007 – issued report on climate
change. • Absolute agreement on anthropogenic
cause of current climate change.• “Warming of the climate system is
unequivocal”• “There is very high confidence that the net
effect of human activities since 1750 has been one of warming.”
What effects of these changes are we already
seeing?
CO2 levels currently
• Mauna Loa Observatory - Hawaii• CO2 at beginning of Industrial revolution: 280 ppm• Current CO2 levels: 398ppm• (watch the movie – when is CO2 highest? Where???
Why???)
The poles are experiencing more intense change
• Winter temps rising faster than summer temps
• Average temperature change is double the change at lower latitudes.
• 3-4oC in 50 years (5 - 7oF)
The importance of ice cover:
• The albedo effect:• Incoming radiant
energy hits a white surface and is reflected – it bounces without being converted to infrared energy
Today: determine relationships
AND relationships between some abiotic factors:
• Air temperature• Sea ice extent• Winter snow
Make a prediction:
Predict the relationship between one of the biotic factors and one of the abiotic factors in this activity
• Biotic: krill, chinstrap penguins, adelie penguins
• Abiotic: air temperature, sea ice extent, winter snow
Expert groups: Complete Part I• examine data set• Summarize key information provided
about your biotic or abiotic factor• You have 15 minutes
Home Group:
• Go get: big paper, glue, 6 different cards, colored pencils
• Make a concept map which shows relationships between abiotic and biotic factors.
• Include cards, arrows, explanations• When you are sure about the
relationships, glue them down
So how did that prediction work out for you?
• Describe something you learned about the effects of climate change from doing this activity.
Soooo . . . . . What does the penguin activity show you?
• Feedback loops play a role in climate change (identify them)
• Complexity of a system makes prediction difficult (give an example)
• Biodiversity loss – populations may not be able to adapt quickly enough
• A “little” change (.7 oC/1oF) is a big deal
Awkward segue!!!
Goals of this course:
• 1. Environmental literacy• 2. preparation for AP test• 3. Build college skills