En 100 Lab 8 Evaluating Climate Change Watch The Video
En 100 Lab 8 Evaluating Climate Changewatch The Video Linked Below
En 100 Lab 8 - Evaluating Climate Change Watch the video linked below. Write a 1.5 page summary and include a paragraph about whether humans could have caused the climate change and sea level rises 60,000 years ago. Be certain to name your file correctly: Lastname_EN100 Lab 8 and submit it by the due date and time.
Paper For Above instruction
The video provided for EN 100 Lab 8 offers a comprehensive overview of climate change, focusing on the scientific evidence that underscores the current global warming trend and its potential causes. The presentation examines natural climate variability alongside anthropogenic factors, highlighting how human activities, particularly fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, have accelerated greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. This increase in greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), has led to enhanced atmospheric insulation, trapping more heat and resulting in the observed rise in global temperatures. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding historical climate patterns through ice core data, tree rings, and sediment records to contextualize contemporary changes and differentiate between natural variability and human influence.
One significant aspect discussed involves the methodology used to evaluate climate data, including temperature anomalies, sea level measurements, and satellite observations. These data collectively demonstrate a clear upward trend in global temperatures since the late 19th century, aligning with industrialization’s onset. Sea levels have also risen consistently during this period, primarily due to melting glaciers and thermal expansion of seawater caused by warming temperatures. The video underscores the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate further adverse impacts on ecosystems, economies, and human health.
Regarding whether humans could have caused climate change and sea level rises 60,000 years ago, the evidence indicates that human influence was likely negligible at that time. During this period, known as the late Pleistocene epoch, climate variations were predominantly driven by natural factors such as Milankovitch cycles, which include variations in Earth's orbital parameters, solar radiation changes, and volcanic activity. The relatively small human populations at that time and the absence of widespread agriculture and industrial activity mean that anthropogenic impacts on the climate were minimal or nonexistent. Ice core data from Greenland and Antarctica reveal fluctuations in temperature and atmospheric gases that correlate strongly with natural cycles rather than human activity. Therefore, it is unlikely that humans caused significant climate change or sea level rise 60,000 years ago.
In conclusion, the video effectively illustrates the distinction between natural variability and anthropogenic effects on climate change. The current rapid warming trend can be primarily attributed to human activities, especially since the Industrial Revolution. Historically, natural factors have driven climate shifts, and humans' influence was negligible 60,000 years ago. Recognizing these differences is crucial for crafting effective policies to combat ongoing climate change and mitigate future sea level rise.
References
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