Chapter 35 Essential Question: How might global warming affect the environment in the world’s coldest places? Antarctica: Researching Global Warming at the Coldest Place on Earth

Geoterms Biome- a very large ecosystem such as a desert, forest, wetland, or grassland Global warming- the gradual increase in the temperature of Earth’s surface over time Greenhouse effect- the process by which gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun and keep it close to Earth’s surface Ice shelf- a large, floating sheet of ice that is attached to the coast

The Theory of Global Warming Three Key Ideas Earth’s climate is getting warmer Caused by human activity Harmful to people and biomes Earth is kept warm through the greenhouse effect Greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor) have been rising Due to people burning fossil fuels

Support for the Global Warming Theory Evidence Climate records, glacier records, rising levels of greenhouse gases Traces these changes to the Industrial Revolution We use coal, oil, and natural gas- adds carbon dioxide Consequences Lose plants and animals, crop failure (hunger), flooding Must reduce activities that create greenhouse gases

Doubts About Global Warming Theory Evidence Surface temp may be rising, but upper atmosphere is not Not all glaciers are shrinking Earth’s warming may be due to natural causes Believe rising temps may be good Warmer winters, more productive farmland, more plant growth

Studying Temperatures in Antarctica Gather data on air temperatures Collect information about Antarctica’s climate from thousands of years ago Drill deep into glaciers to find out what the climate was like and how much snow fell

Studying Ice Shelves in Antarctica Study ice shelves to determine whether they are growing or melting Use satellite cameras to take pictures Spend time near the ice shelves to examine how temperatures affect the ice shelves

Studying Penguins in Antarctica Global warming could be harmful to penguins Warm air brings moisture (precipitation). Penguins needs bare land to nest (breed). More snow could mean they stop breeding (become extinct) Researchers count how many penguins return to their nesting site each year

Global Connections Warmer temperatures will cause sea levels to rise Developed countries (USA, Canada) are major producers of greenhouse gases, but everyone is effected Reduce their production of greenhouse gases Drive cars that get higher miles per gallon Use fluorescent lights Turn off lights and tv when they are not in use