For this assignment, you will ask questions about the factors that have caused a rise in global temperatures over the past century. Then, you will conduct research to answer your questions. You will also graph provided information, analyze the graphs, and make conclusions based on the graphs. Finally, you will write a paper describing the conclusions of your research and graphs.
Background Information
Global temperature change is a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the Earth's atmosphere. Both human activity and natural processes have contributed to this temperature increase. Examples of human activities include the burning of fossil fuels, cement production, and agricultural activity. Examples of natural processes include changes in incoming solar radiation and volcanic activity.
Scientists present evidence for the rise in global temperature in the form of tables, graphs, maps, and models. For example, scientists build climate models (computer simulations of climate systems) to explore the causes and effects of global temperature change and to predict future trends. These models predict that the Earth’s average surface temperature will rise as greenhouse gas concentrations continue to rise. Based on these models, scientists predict that average surface temperatures could rise by between 2°C and 6°C by the end of the 21st century.
Step 2: Write your questions.
You are familiar with some of the factors that have contributed to the rise in global temperatures over the past century. Think of three questions that will help you clarify your understanding of how these factors lead to an increase in global temperatures. Consider the following when you come up with your questions:
Ways in which natural processes and human activity have affected global temperature change over the past century
The influence of these processes and activities on a gradual or sudden change in global temperature
Write your questions in the space provided at the end of this document.
Have your teacher review your questions. Once they are approved, you may begin Step 3.
Step 3: Conduct research.
Search for answers to each of your questions. Be sure to support your answers with scientific evidence from reliable sources.
The following are examples of some reliable sources you might use:
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Nature magazine
Step 4: Create graphs.
Use the information in the tables below to create two-line graphs.
The first graph should show the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from 2010–2017.
The second graph should show the change in global temperature from 2010–2016.
Table A. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the Atmosphere
Year
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in Atmosphere (ppm*)
2010
390
2011
392
2012
394
2013
396
2014
399
2015
401
2016
404
2017
406
*parts per million
Table B. Change in Global Temperature
Year
Change in Global Temperature (°C)
2010
0.71
2011
0.60
2012
0.63
2013
0.65
2014
0.74
2015
0.87
2016
0.99
What happened to the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from 2010–2017?