Question

Question 18: Change all the variables to make the coldest possible Earth for a given rate of sunshine. Describe what you did. Your response: To make the coldest possible Earth for a given rate of sunshine, one would to consider factors such as reducing greenhouse gas concentrations, increasing planetary albedo, by increasing ice and snow cover, decreasing atmospheric humidity and altering feedback mechanisms. Screenshot 5 (Further Investigation) Take a screenshot of the model you made for question 18 (coldest possible Earth) and paste it here.​

Answer 1

To create a model for the coldest possible Earth for a given rate of sunshine, one would need to consider various factors that affect the Earth's temperature. As mentioned in the previous response, some of these factors include greenhouse gas concentrations, planetary albedo, atmospheric humidity, and feedback mechanisms.

To reduce the Earth's temperature, one could consider ways to reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as by limiting emissions from human activities or using technologies to capture and store carbon dioxide. Another way to reduce the Earth's temperature would be to increase the albedo of the planet, for example, by increasing ice and snow cover.

Decreasing atmospheric humidity could also help to reduce the Earth's temperature by reducing the greenhouse effect. Altering feedback mechanisms could also be important, as some feedback mechanisms can amplify the warming effects of greenhouse gases, while others can act to dampen them.

Overall, creating a model for the coldest possible Earth for a given rate of sunshine would require a careful consideration of all the factors that affect the Earth's temperature, and how they interact with each other. This is a complex task that requires the input and expertise of scientists from various fields, including climate science, atmospheric science, and Earth system modeling.

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

To make the coldest possible Earth for a given rate of sunshine, several factors need to be considered:

1) Greenhouse gas concentrations: Reducing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapor (H2O), can help lower the Earth's temperature. These gases trap heat and contribute to the greenhouse effect, which leads to global warming. Strategies to reduce greenhouse gas concentrations include reducing fossil fuel emissions, promoting renewable energy sources, and implementing carbon capture and storage technologies.

2) Planetary albedo: Increasing the planet's albedo, or reflectivity, can help reflect more incoming sunlight back into space, thereby reducing the amount of solar energy absorbed by the Earth. One way to achieve this is by increasing ice and snow cover, as they have high albedo values. Polar ice caps, glaciers, and snow-covered surfaces can help reflect more sunlight and lower the Earth's temperature.

3) Atmospheric humidity: Decreasing atmospheric humidity can also contribute to cooling the Earth. Water vapor is a potent greenhouse gas, and reducing its concentration in the atmosphere can help mitigate the greenhouse effect. This can be achieved by implementing measures to control evaporation and condensation processes, such as reducing water bodies' surface area or altering land use practices.

4) Feedback mechanisms: Altering feedback mechanisms can further enhance the cooling effect. For example, as the Earth cools, it can lead to increased ice and snow cover, which in turn increases the planet's albedo and further reflects more sunlight. This positive feedback loop can amplify the cooling effect.

By considering these factors, it is possible to make the Earth as cold as possible for a given rate of sunshine. However, it is essential to note that these changes may have significant ecological and environmental impacts. Additionally, the complex nature of Earth's climate system means that multiple variables interact, making it challenging to precisely predict the outcomes of specific changes.