Unit 11 Blog
This unit has covered air pollution (indoor and outdoor), ozone depletion and global warming. Below are suggested vocabulary words and pollutants to make sure you know. Like the previous blogs, you do not have to define them in your blog unless you just want to! You do, however, need to make sure you discuss the topics provided for you thoroughly and thoughtfully in your own blog!
This unit has covered air pollution (indoor and outdoor), ozone depletion and global warming. Below are suggested vocabulary words and pollutants to make sure you know. Like the previous blogs, you do not have to define them in your blog unless you just want to! You do, however, need to make sure you discuss the topics provided for you thoroughly and thoughtfully in your own blog!
Suggested Vocabulary
Primary Pollutant - Primary pollutant are those pollutants that are directly emitted from for their sources. Like CO2, CO as these gaseous are directly emitted form burning of fossil fuel.
Secondary Pollutant - Secondary pollutants are those which are formed from the combination of primary pollutants with some other compound. Like smog which is formed by combination of smog and fog. And pesticides, insecticide
Thermal Inversion - Thermal inversions are when a layer of warm air traps a layer of cooler air under it. This can cause variations in weather conditions like freezing rain. The worst thing about thermal inversion is that smog and air pollution can be trapped near the ground and stay there until the thermal inversion is gone. Thermal inversions are also called temperature inversions.
Scrubber - Scrubber systems are a diverse group of air pollution control devices that can be used to remove some particulates and/or gases from industrial exhaust streams.
Sick Building Syndrome - a condition affecting office workers, typically marked by headaches and respiratory problems, attributed to unhealthy or stressful factors in the working environment such as poor ventilation.
Global Change - refers to planetary-scale changes in the Earth system. The system consists of the land, oceans, atmosphere, polar regions, life, the planet's natural cycles and deep Earth processes. These constituent parts influence one another.
Global Climate Change - refer to an increase in average global temperatures. Natural events and human activities are believed to be contributing to an increase in average global temperatures. This is caused primarily by increases in “greenhouse” gases such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2).
Global Warming - a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants.
Greenhouse Gase - a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation, e.g., carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons.
Greenhouse Warming Potential - (GWP) is a relative measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere. It compares the amount of heat trapped by a certain mass of the gas in question to the amount of heat trapped by a similar mass of carbon dioxide.
Positive Feedback - enhance or amplify changes; this tends to move a system away from its equilibrium state and make it more unstable. Negative feedbacks tend to dampen or buffer changes; this tends to hold a system to some equilibrium state making it more stable.
Negative Feedback - occurs when some function of the output of a system, process, or mechanism is fed back in a manner that tends to reduce the fluctuations in the output, whether caused by changes in the input or by other disturbances.
Primary Pollutant - Primary pollutant are those pollutants that are directly emitted from for their sources. Like CO2, CO as these gaseous are directly emitted form burning of fossil fuel.
Secondary Pollutant - Secondary pollutants are those which are formed from the combination of primary pollutants with some other compound. Like smog which is formed by combination of smog and fog. And pesticides, insecticide
Thermal Inversion - Thermal inversions are when a layer of warm air traps a layer of cooler air under it. This can cause variations in weather conditions like freezing rain. The worst thing about thermal inversion is that smog and air pollution can be trapped near the ground and stay there until the thermal inversion is gone. Thermal inversions are also called temperature inversions.
Scrubber - Scrubber systems are a diverse group of air pollution control devices that can be used to remove some particulates and/or gases from industrial exhaust streams.
Sick Building Syndrome - a condition affecting office workers, typically marked by headaches and respiratory problems, attributed to unhealthy or stressful factors in the working environment such as poor ventilation.
Global Change - refers to planetary-scale changes in the Earth system. The system consists of the land, oceans, atmosphere, polar regions, life, the planet's natural cycles and deep Earth processes. These constituent parts influence one another.
Global Climate Change - refer to an increase in average global temperatures. Natural events and human activities are believed to be contributing to an increase in average global temperatures. This is caused primarily by increases in “greenhouse” gases such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2).
Global Warming - a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants.
Greenhouse Gase - a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation, e.g., carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons.
Greenhouse Warming Potential - (GWP) is a relative measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere. It compares the amount of heat trapped by a certain mass of the gas in question to the amount of heat trapped by a similar mass of carbon dioxide.
Positive Feedback - enhance or amplify changes; this tends to move a system away from its equilibrium state and make it more unstable. Negative feedbacks tend to dampen or buffer changes; this tends to hold a system to some equilibrium state making it more stable.
Negative Feedback - occurs when some function of the output of a system, process, or mechanism is fed back in a manner that tends to reduce the fluctuations in the output, whether caused by changes in the input or by other disturbances.
Air Pollutants (make sure you know the source, environmental effects and health effects of each- also, imagine the numbers are subscripts)
SO2 - (Sulfur Dioxide) Combustion of fuels that contain sulfur, including coal, oil, and gasoline. Respiratory irritant, can exacerbate asthma and other respiratory ailments
NOx - (Nitrogen oxides) All combustion in the atmosphere including fossil fuel combustion, wood and other biomass burning. Respiratory irritant, increases susceptibility to respiratory infection. An ozone precursor, leads to formation of photochemical smog.
CO - (Carbon Monoxide) Incomplete combustion of any kind, malfunctioning exhaust systems, and poorly ventilated cooking fires.
PM - (Particulate Matter) Combustion of coal, oil, and diesel, and of biofuels such as manure and wood. Agriculture, road construction, and other activities that mobilize soil, soot, and dust. Can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular disease and reduce lung function.
Pb - (Lead) Gasoline additive, oil and gasoline, coal, oil paint. Impairs central nervous system. At low concentrations, can have measurable effects on learning and ability to concentrate.
O3 - (Ozone) A secondary pollutant formed by the combination of sunlight, water, oxygen, VOC's and NOx.
VOC - (Volatile Organic Compounds) Evaporation of fuels, solvents, paints; Improper combustion of fuels such as gasoline. A precursor to ozone formation.
Hg - (Mercury) Coal, oil, gold mining. Impairs central nervous system. Bioaccumulates in the food chain.
O2 - (Carbon Dioxide) Combustion of fossil fuels and clearing of land. Affects climate and alters ecosystems by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations.
Smog (sulfurous and photochemical) - Smoke + Fog. Photochemical smog: dominated by oxidants such as ozone, Sulfurous smog: dominated by sulfur-dioxide and sulfate compounds
SO2 - (Sulfur Dioxide) Combustion of fuels that contain sulfur, including coal, oil, and gasoline. Respiratory irritant, can exacerbate asthma and other respiratory ailments
NOx - (Nitrogen oxides) All combustion in the atmosphere including fossil fuel combustion, wood and other biomass burning. Respiratory irritant, increases susceptibility to respiratory infection. An ozone precursor, leads to formation of photochemical smog.
CO - (Carbon Monoxide) Incomplete combustion of any kind, malfunctioning exhaust systems, and poorly ventilated cooking fires.
PM - (Particulate Matter) Combustion of coal, oil, and diesel, and of biofuels such as manure and wood. Agriculture, road construction, and other activities that mobilize soil, soot, and dust. Can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular disease and reduce lung function.
Pb - (Lead) Gasoline additive, oil and gasoline, coal, oil paint. Impairs central nervous system. At low concentrations, can have measurable effects on learning and ability to concentrate.
O3 - (Ozone) A secondary pollutant formed by the combination of sunlight, water, oxygen, VOC's and NOx.
VOC - (Volatile Organic Compounds) Evaporation of fuels, solvents, paints; Improper combustion of fuels such as gasoline. A precursor to ozone formation.
Hg - (Mercury) Coal, oil, gold mining. Impairs central nervous system. Bioaccumulates in the food chain.
O2 - (Carbon Dioxide) Combustion of fossil fuels and clearing of land. Affects climate and alters ecosystems by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations.
Smog (sulfurous and photochemical) - Smoke + Fog. Photochemical smog: dominated by oxidants such as ozone, Sulfurous smog: dominated by sulfur-dioxide and sulfate compounds
Indoor Pollutants
Asbestos - long, thin, fibrous material with insulating properties. Used an insulator for stream and hot-water pipes for many years. - Causes lung cancer
Radon 222 - radioactive gas that occurs naturally from the decay of uranium. Steps into the cracks in the foundations of homes and decays to Polonium- 210. Either can attach to dust particles and be inhaled. - 2nd leading cause of lung cancer
VOCs - (volatile organic compounds) in home products - formaldehyde, glues, paints, detergents, dry-cleaning fluids, deodorizes solvents. - May be harmful if inhaled, suspected of being carcinogens.
Asbestos - long, thin, fibrous material with insulating properties. Used an insulator for stream and hot-water pipes for many years. - Causes lung cancer
Radon 222 - radioactive gas that occurs naturally from the decay of uranium. Steps into the cracks in the foundations of homes and decays to Polonium- 210. Either can attach to dust particles and be inhaled. - 2nd leading cause of lung cancer
VOCs - (volatile organic compounds) in home products - formaldehyde, glues, paints, detergents, dry-cleaning fluids, deodorizes solvents. - May be harmful if inhaled, suspected of being carcinogens.
Greenhouse Gases
Water Vapor - (Variable with Temperature, GWP < 1, Duration = 9 days)
CO2 (Carbon Dioxide, 390 ppm, GWP = 1, Duration = Highly variable (ranging from years to hundreds of years))
CH4 - (Methane, 1.8 ppm, GWP = 25, Duration = 12 years)
N2O - (Nitrous Oxide, 0.3 ppm, GWP = 300, Duration = 114 years)
CFCs - (Chlorofluorocarbons, 0.9 ppm, GWP = 1,600 to 13,000, Duration = 55 to > 500 years)
Water Vapor - (Variable with Temperature, GWP < 1, Duration = 9 days)
CO2 (Carbon Dioxide, 390 ppm, GWP = 1, Duration = Highly variable (ranging from years to hundreds of years))
CH4 - (Methane, 1.8 ppm, GWP = 25, Duration = 12 years)
N2O - (Nitrous Oxide, 0.3 ppm, GWP = 300, Duration = 114 years)
CFCs - (Chlorofluorocarbons, 0.9 ppm, GWP = 1,600 to 13,000, Duration = 55 to > 500 years)
Discussion Topics:
Connections Discussion:
We discussed in class today that everything is connected (remember Joe's pond and Johnson's run??) One of the main concerns about the increased carbon dioxide emissions is that they are linked to an increase in global temperature, rising sea levels and increased oceanic carbon dioxide concentrations. These three things can have cascading effects on many different ecosystems globally. Follow the link to the National Wildlife Federation website to read more information on how coral reefs are being negatively impacted by these global changes. NWF- Coral Reefs First, discuss the topics below in relation to the coral reef (the link should take you right there) then pick one other animal/plant/ecosystem from the menu on the left side and discuss in relation to your choice.
Why is this animal/plant/ecosystem important? Explain at least two ways that this animal/plant/ecosystem is directly impacted by increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, make sure to describe any negative effects these environmental changes have on coral reefs/your pick and the primary source of the carbon dioxide emissions. What kind of economic impact does this have and what conservation efforts are being made to reduce the destruction?
Coral Reefs are essential to plant and animal life because they give homes and are a structured habitat for many creatures and species belonging in the ocean. Coral reefs have an extremely rich biodiversity which attracts researchers, tourism industries, and commercial and recreational fisheries. Threats from global warming include increased temperatures, extensive bleaching events, ocean acidification, and the sea level rising. Water temperatures result in corals undergoing through extensive bleaching. Some coral can recover from the damage bleaching causes but often many die and an entire ecosystem then becomes obliterated. Warmer water temperatures usually cause diseases to develop within the coral such as black band disease, white plague, and white pox, resulting in the coral ecosystem to die down and become extinct. Ocean acidification occurs when oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere but this becomes a natural and evident threat to the corals. As oceans increase in their acidic content the corals are inhibited of their certain functions resulting in slower growth. Rising of the sea level results in the ice melting and causing problems to reefs because they are not receiving enough exposure to sunlight.
Mangrove forests live on the land and sea and are stilt like roots in brackish waters. Mangroves don't allow other plants to grow in their area. They are located along the coasts of Florida, covering about 469,000 acres from St. Augustine south on the Atlantic, and from Cedar Key south of the Gulf Coast. There are four species of Mangrove trees-red, black, and white estuaries. They are usually low lying and host a variety of fish and wildlife, including wading and sea birds, such as the great white heron and brown pelican. They usually play a role in protecting the lives of many plant and animal species and serve as breeding, feeding, and nursery grounds for many different animals. They also hold a very high economic value. However, they have many negative threats as well, such as, changing the salinity of the water, but also increased wave actions affects the animals by impacting their community as well as the coastal community. Conservation efforts include monitoring and reestablishing the mangrove population and community.
Ozone Discussion
I can't say it enough, ozone is awesome and horrible all at the same time! It's essential for life in the stratosphere but damaging in the troposphere! In this discussion piece, I basically want you to summarize everything you know about ozone at each level! Discuss the negative human health effects of both tropospheric (too much) and stratospheric (not enough) ozone. Describe the closed-loop chemical reactions associated with the formation and breakdown of stratospheric ozone (if you can find pictures or diagrams, feel free to insert here). Explain how other compounds, particularly CFCs, interfere with these chemical reactions (again, a diagram would be helpful). Finally, explain the role of tropospheric ozone in the formation of photochemical smog (diagrams, why not?? You chose how you want to convey your message as long as you understand what you are talking about).
The tropospheric and stratospheric ozone layers of the atmosphere cause and result in negative health effects. The tropospheric ozone layer causes the eruption of many upper respiratory health conditions that negatively effect humans. Many other diseases rise too due to this such as the whooping cough, lung cancer, asthma, bronchitis and decreased growth of healthy habits. The tropospheric layer also causes eye problems and other negative health effects. The stratospheric ozone layer provides protection from ultraviolet solar radiation but causes ozone destruction as well. The UV rays associated in this layer causes skin effects and plays a huge role in melanoma development. Anthropogenic compounds contain chlorine and are used in sources and tools used around the house and other buildings. The compounds are known a chlorofluorocarbons, that are stable, nontoxic, nonflammable so that they do not harm the ozone layer.
The closed loop cycle is when UV-C breaks the bonds holding the oxygen molecule together. Than free oxygen from step 1, encounters an oxygen molecule forming ozone. Lastly the UV-B or UV-C break the bond in the ozone forming molecular oxygen and free oxygen again.
The role of photochemical smog formation in the tropospheric ozone includes an absence of VOC's, ozone will form during the daylight hours and break down after sunset. In the presence of VOC's, ozone will form during the daylight hours. The VOC's combine with nitrogen oxides to form photochemical oxidants, which reduce the amount of ozone that will break down later and contribute to prolonged periods of photochemical smog.
Positive and Negative Feedbacks
Obviously climate change can be a hot topic to debate! Many arguments for or against global warming are based off of the idea that our actions will continue the cycle and magnify the situation (positive feedback) OR that the earth will correct the issue because ultimately a cycle will slow down or stop the process on its own (negative feedback). Provide an argument for and against global climate change by giving and example of both a positive and negative feedback can increase or decrease the impact of climate change. There are examples of this in your text, but I would encourage you to seek out other sources to see if you can find one that we have yet to discuss in class!
A positive feedback is a feedback loop where output of one type act as input that moves the system in one direction. Input and output drives the system towards an extreme (away from equilibrium) For example, the more people that are born, the more people there are to give birth to even more people. Where as a negative feedback is a feedback loop where output that results from a system moving in one direction acts as an input that moves the system in the opposite direction (stabilizing) For example, A thermostat stabilizes a room's temperature by turning the furnace on when the room gets extremely cold and turns it off when the room's condition is more towards being hot.
Temperature and CO2 represent a positive feedback system. When the concentration of CO2 increases in ht atmosphere, it can cause global temperatures to increase. This in turn can cause more rapid decomposition, thereby releasing even more CO2 into the atmosphere. Carbon Dioxide and producers represent a negative feedback system. Increased CO2 in the atmosphere from anthropogenic sources can be partially removed by increased photosynthesis by producers.
BIG Picture Discussion
This is where you will make the four BIG PICTURE connections to the ENTIRE UNIT. Please tie in information you learned in your reading (chapters 15 and 19) and from the notes in class. There is not an exact length that I am expecting other than it should definitely be at least a paragraph for each section, should be thorough and show understanding of the topic. Remember to be specific in your examples. Do not just say "there are laws that govern this" or "people destroy the Earth." Give me the names of the laws, what they regulate and who enforces them. Tell me what humans are doing to destroy the earth.
Human Impact - Throughout out this unit, there were more examples of the weather doing impacts on human than humans doing impact on the air. The air effects the humans by potential relocation from coastal communities, habitats become unsuitable for human habitation becomes habitable, the air affects the range of temperature limited diseases such as west Nile and malaria, lastly, the air effects tourism. The air or ozone layers can also cause diseases and upper respiratory problems. The humans impact the air by releasing greenhouse gases or burning fossil fuels which effects the air and atmosphere by releasing methane and other toxic substances.
Environmental Impact - Global warming causes many different environmental effects such as heat waves are effected because long period of hot weather are likely to increase creating a greater demand for energy to cool building and water for irrigation of crops. Precipitation patterns include warmer temperatures increase evaporation leading to increased rainfall which may be good for crops but could also lead to flooding, erosion, and mudslides. Sea levels are effected also because the melting ice caps and glaciers adds to the volume of water and as water heats up, it expands. This could lead to a 180-590 mm rise in sea levels which could endanger coastal cities. Environmental impacts also effect wild animals and plants due to global change.
Economic Impact - Economic impacts include pollution control in which a lot of money is needed to reduce the amount of pollutants being released into the air. In order for this to occur technology is bought so that the air can be refurbished and not expose to humans and the environment negative health and air conditions. The economy is negatively impacted due to the restoration of the atmosphere because of the release of methane and toxic gases which contaminate the air. Also diseases and health effects brought to humans and animals force those species to go to hospitals and vets because of health conditions and positively and negatively effect the environment.
Government Legislation/Impact - The Kyoto Protocol in 1997 representatives of the nations met in Kyoto, Japan to discuss how to best control emissions contributing to global warming. In 2001, protocol was modified but US argued that there was too much uncertainty in global warming predictions to justify ratification and that the cost of controlling CO2 emissions would unfairly disadvantage US businesses while India and China have no requirements. 2007 - Supreme Court ruled that the EPA had the authority to regulate greenhouse gases as part of the Clean Air Act. 2010- proposed increase in fuel efficiency requirements for automobiles would allow for a 30% reduction in CO2 and other green house gases.
Connections Discussion:
We discussed in class today that everything is connected (remember Joe's pond and Johnson's run??) One of the main concerns about the increased carbon dioxide emissions is that they are linked to an increase in global temperature, rising sea levels and increased oceanic carbon dioxide concentrations. These three things can have cascading effects on many different ecosystems globally. Follow the link to the National Wildlife Federation website to read more information on how coral reefs are being negatively impacted by these global changes. NWF- Coral Reefs First, discuss the topics below in relation to the coral reef (the link should take you right there) then pick one other animal/plant/ecosystem from the menu on the left side and discuss in relation to your choice.
Why is this animal/plant/ecosystem important? Explain at least two ways that this animal/plant/ecosystem is directly impacted by increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, make sure to describe any negative effects these environmental changes have on coral reefs/your pick and the primary source of the carbon dioxide emissions. What kind of economic impact does this have and what conservation efforts are being made to reduce the destruction?
Coral Reefs are essential to plant and animal life because they give homes and are a structured habitat for many creatures and species belonging in the ocean. Coral reefs have an extremely rich biodiversity which attracts researchers, tourism industries, and commercial and recreational fisheries. Threats from global warming include increased temperatures, extensive bleaching events, ocean acidification, and the sea level rising. Water temperatures result in corals undergoing through extensive bleaching. Some coral can recover from the damage bleaching causes but often many die and an entire ecosystem then becomes obliterated. Warmer water temperatures usually cause diseases to develop within the coral such as black band disease, white plague, and white pox, resulting in the coral ecosystem to die down and become extinct. Ocean acidification occurs when oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere but this becomes a natural and evident threat to the corals. As oceans increase in their acidic content the corals are inhibited of their certain functions resulting in slower growth. Rising of the sea level results in the ice melting and causing problems to reefs because they are not receiving enough exposure to sunlight.
Mangrove forests live on the land and sea and are stilt like roots in brackish waters. Mangroves don't allow other plants to grow in their area. They are located along the coasts of Florida, covering about 469,000 acres from St. Augustine south on the Atlantic, and from Cedar Key south of the Gulf Coast. There are four species of Mangrove trees-red, black, and white estuaries. They are usually low lying and host a variety of fish and wildlife, including wading and sea birds, such as the great white heron and brown pelican. They usually play a role in protecting the lives of many plant and animal species and serve as breeding, feeding, and nursery grounds for many different animals. They also hold a very high economic value. However, they have many negative threats as well, such as, changing the salinity of the water, but also increased wave actions affects the animals by impacting their community as well as the coastal community. Conservation efforts include monitoring and reestablishing the mangrove population and community.
Ozone Discussion
I can't say it enough, ozone is awesome and horrible all at the same time! It's essential for life in the stratosphere but damaging in the troposphere! In this discussion piece, I basically want you to summarize everything you know about ozone at each level! Discuss the negative human health effects of both tropospheric (too much) and stratospheric (not enough) ozone. Describe the closed-loop chemical reactions associated with the formation and breakdown of stratospheric ozone (if you can find pictures or diagrams, feel free to insert here). Explain how other compounds, particularly CFCs, interfere with these chemical reactions (again, a diagram would be helpful). Finally, explain the role of tropospheric ozone in the formation of photochemical smog (diagrams, why not?? You chose how you want to convey your message as long as you understand what you are talking about).
I can't say it enough, ozone is awesome and horrible all at the same time! It's essential for life in the stratosphere but damaging in the troposphere! In this discussion piece, I basically want you to summarize everything you know about ozone at each level! Discuss the negative human health effects of both tropospheric (too much) and stratospheric (not enough) ozone. Describe the closed-loop chemical reactions associated with the formation and breakdown of stratospheric ozone (if you can find pictures or diagrams, feel free to insert here). Explain how other compounds, particularly CFCs, interfere with these chemical reactions (again, a diagram would be helpful). Finally, explain the role of tropospheric ozone in the formation of photochemical smog (diagrams, why not?? You chose how you want to convey your message as long as you understand what you are talking about).
The tropospheric and stratospheric ozone layers of the atmosphere cause and result in negative health effects. The tropospheric ozone layer causes the eruption of many upper respiratory health conditions that negatively effect humans. Many other diseases rise too due to this such as the whooping cough, lung cancer, asthma, bronchitis and decreased growth of healthy habits. The tropospheric layer also causes eye problems and other negative health effects. The stratospheric ozone layer provides protection from ultraviolet solar radiation but causes ozone destruction as well. The UV rays associated in this layer causes skin effects and plays a huge role in melanoma development. Anthropogenic compounds contain chlorine and are used in sources and tools used around the house and other buildings. The compounds are known a chlorofluorocarbons, that are stable, nontoxic, nonflammable so that they do not harm the ozone layer.
The closed loop cycle is when UV-C breaks the bonds holding the oxygen molecule together. Than free oxygen from step 1, encounters an oxygen molecule forming ozone. Lastly the UV-B or UV-C break the bond in the ozone forming molecular oxygen and free oxygen again.
The role of photochemical smog formation in the tropospheric ozone includes an absence of VOC's, ozone will form during the daylight hours and break down after sunset. In the presence of VOC's, ozone will form during the daylight hours. The VOC's combine with nitrogen oxides to form photochemical oxidants, which reduce the amount of ozone that will break down later and contribute to prolonged periods of photochemical smog.
Positive and Negative Feedbacks
Obviously climate change can be a hot topic to debate! Many arguments for or against global warming are based off of the idea that our actions will continue the cycle and magnify the situation (positive feedback) OR that the earth will correct the issue because ultimately a cycle will slow down or stop the process on its own (negative feedback). Provide an argument for and against global climate change by giving and example of both a positive and negative feedback can increase or decrease the impact of climate change. There are examples of this in your text, but I would encourage you to seek out other sources to see if you can find one that we have yet to discuss in class!
A positive feedback is a feedback loop where output of one type act as input that moves the system in one direction. Input and output drives the system towards an extreme (away from equilibrium) For example, the more people that are born, the more people there are to give birth to even more people. Where as a negative feedback is a feedback loop where output that results from a system moving in one direction acts as an input that moves the system in the opposite direction (stabilizing) For example, A thermostat stabilizes a room's temperature by turning the furnace on when the room gets extremely cold and turns it off when the room's condition is more towards being hot.
Temperature and CO2 represent a positive feedback system. When the concentration of CO2 increases in ht atmosphere, it can cause global temperatures to increase. This in turn can cause more rapid decomposition, thereby releasing even more CO2 into the atmosphere. Carbon Dioxide and producers represent a negative feedback system. Increased CO2 in the atmosphere from anthropogenic sources can be partially removed by increased photosynthesis by producers.
BIG Picture Discussion
This is where you will make the four BIG PICTURE connections to the ENTIRE UNIT. Please tie in information you learned in your reading (chapters 15 and 19) and from the notes in class. There is not an exact length that I am expecting other than it should definitely be at least a paragraph for each section, should be thorough and show understanding of the topic. Remember to be specific in your examples. Do not just say "there are laws that govern this" or "people destroy the Earth." Give me the names of the laws, what they regulate and who enforces them. Tell me what humans are doing to destroy the earth.
BIG Picture Discussion
This is where you will make the four BIG PICTURE connections to the ENTIRE UNIT. Please tie in information you learned in your reading (chapters 15 and 19) and from the notes in class. There is not an exact length that I am expecting other than it should definitely be at least a paragraph for each section, should be thorough and show understanding of the topic. Remember to be specific in your examples. Do not just say "there are laws that govern this" or "people destroy the Earth." Give me the names of the laws, what they regulate and who enforces them. Tell me what humans are doing to destroy the earth.
Human Impact - Throughout out this unit, there were more examples of the weather doing impacts on human than humans doing impact on the air. The air effects the humans by potential relocation from coastal communities, habitats become unsuitable for human habitation becomes habitable, the air affects the range of temperature limited diseases such as west Nile and malaria, lastly, the air effects tourism. The air or ozone layers can also cause diseases and upper respiratory problems. The humans impact the air by releasing greenhouse gases or burning fossil fuels which effects the air and atmosphere by releasing methane and other toxic substances.
Environmental Impact - Global warming causes many different environmental effects such as heat waves are effected because long period of hot weather are likely to increase creating a greater demand for energy to cool building and water for irrigation of crops. Precipitation patterns include warmer temperatures increase evaporation leading to increased rainfall which may be good for crops but could also lead to flooding, erosion, and mudslides. Sea levels are effected also because the melting ice caps and glaciers adds to the volume of water and as water heats up, it expands. This could lead to a 180-590 mm rise in sea levels which could endanger coastal cities. Environmental impacts also effect wild animals and plants due to global change.
Economic Impact - Economic impacts include pollution control in which a lot of money is needed to reduce the amount of pollutants being released into the air. In order for this to occur technology is bought so that the air can be refurbished and not expose to humans and the environment negative health and air conditions. The economy is negatively impacted due to the restoration of the atmosphere because of the release of methane and toxic gases which contaminate the air. Also diseases and health effects brought to humans and animals force those species to go to hospitals and vets because of health conditions and positively and negatively effect the environment.
Government Legislation/Impact - The Kyoto Protocol in 1997 representatives of the nations met in Kyoto, Japan to discuss how to best control emissions contributing to global warming. In 2001, protocol was modified but US argued that there was too much uncertainty in global warming predictions to justify ratification and that the cost of controlling CO2 emissions would unfairly disadvantage US businesses while India and China have no requirements. 2007 - Supreme Court ruled that the EPA had the authority to regulate greenhouse gases as part of the Clean Air Act. 2010- proposed increase in fuel efficiency requirements for automobiles would allow for a 30% reduction in CO2 and other green house gases.
