Week 14: CO2 Concentration

1. What did you do in lab today?

In lab today, we discussed CO2 emission. We learned that CO2 concentration goes up and down throughout the year due to the amount of plants. When there are more plants, CO2 concentration decreases. Overall, the amount of CO2 is increasing. We played with a simulator to show the greenhouse effect and how photon absorption works. I learned that when CO2 increases, so does the heat. When this happens, more plants are able to grow in colder regions, which then brings the temperature back down.

2. What was the big question? 

How does CO2 emission and concentration affected by the seasons? How does albedo affect our climate?

3. What did you learn in Thursday's discussion?

In Thursday's discussion, we learned about how the climate and temperature has always been changing. There have been times where the whole planet has been frozen solid or been covered in magma. We learned that there has been no change in the natural variability of the planet. There is not a significant distance of volcanic activity or anything else. It is our actions that cause the changes. We learned that lakes are calm in the morning and at night because of albedo. We learned that snow reflects the sun more. We learned that albedo is measured between 0 and 1. We use black roofs on buildings because it absorbs the heat. We want black roofs in the winter so that it will absorb the heat. In the winter, a white roof would be better to reflect the light and heat. 

Pressbook Chapter 23

1. What did you learn?

I learned that there is a positive feedback loop from climate change that is causing many changes. This positive feedback loop is causing more extreme temperatures, more extreme weather events, melting sea ice, glacier retreat, the rise in sea level, and ecosystem disruption. 

2. What was most helpful?

The most helpful part of the chapter was the video about the melting sea ice in the Arctic. This video helped to visualize what is happening to ice in the sea. The ice in the Arctic sea is continuing to grow younger and thinner, which is affecting the rest of the Earth. The melting of ice in the Arctic is so important because this ice acts as a cooler to other parts of the planet. Without it, it will not be able to cool these parts of the Earth. 

3. What do you need more information on?

I would like more information on how the cost per state in weather disasters is going to continue to change. Will the types of disasters change or change the same? Is the cost in disasters going to continue to rise as the climate continues to change? How are the disasters in Illinois going to differ from those in Texas?

What questions, concerns, and/or comments do you have?

Could our Earth ever go back to being a snowball Earth? Is it more likely for our Earth to turn back to a snowball Earth or one that is covered in magma?