Revised Lab 9: Global Warming and How You Use the Ecosphere

A substitute Worksheet 9 follows. Please answer the following questions based on the movie.

You will be handing this in individually at the end of the period.

Substitute Worksheet 9 (Please answer in complete sentences.)

1. Al Gore uses a quote to the effect that humans are hurt less by what they don't know than what they think they know "that just ain't so. What is the idea that he says many people have about the Earth, which "just ain't so"?

2. In your own words, summarize Gore's explanation of how increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can cause an increase in the Earth's temperature.

3. Since 1957, when CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere was measured several times a year, it was found that there was a small decrease in March through September and a small increase in CO₂ in October through February. What was the explanation for this down and up pattern during the seasons of a year? [Hint: Thinking back to Labs 6 and 7 should help.]

4. From 1957 to the present, what pattern has been observed when the average CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere for each year is considered?

5. How can CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere and temperature from thousands of years ago be determined using ice cores? How can scientists tell that a seemingly solid wall of ice contains many layers?

6. What is one of the arguments that Gore presents for the idea that the current trend in global warming is NOT just part of a natural fluctuation in the earth's temperature, which has occurred for thousands of years?

7. What was one example Gore gave of two or more species interacting in the ecosystem being affected by global warming?

8. What point does Gore make about the consequences of "old habits + new technology" compared with "old habits + old technology"?

9. Articles in peer-reviewed journals are not published until other experts in the area have a chance to read them and verify their experiments and results, while articles in the popular media can be published without any verification or critical review. What percentage of peer-reviewed articles expressed doubt that human activities were causing global warming? What percentage of popular media articles expressed that kind of doubt?

10. What are two things we already know we can do to reduce the CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere?

BONUS: Gore presents graphs showing CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere over many years and the average temperature of the Earth during those same years. He suggests that their parallel patterns show that CO₂ concentration is causing the temperature change. What is another interpretation of their patterns and how could you set up an experiment to show what condition is causing another condition?

Your assignment will be due next Wednesday, April 22. It will be worth 20 points. Ten of those will be counted as 1B of your writing assignments, and the other 10 as your "quiz" for the week. I am modifying the assignment from its form in your lab manual. Please follow my directions below; make sure that you follow the citation guidelines and have a citation for each of the questions (a-e) in part 3.

1. Here is a site I would like you to use to find your ecological footprint:

http://www.earthday.net/footprint/flash.html

2. Complete the footprint survey (using the slide bars and radio buttons) and print out the results showing "Your Ecological Footprint". Hit the "Continue" link to find out more about Ecological Footprints.