(aka, Global Warming) The Basics
Weather: short term and local Climate: long term and regional A trend that spans decades A trend that is “global” Seeing 3 feet of snow on the ground in January is NOT proof against CLIMATE change
Is Climate Change happening? If it is happening, is human activity contributing to it, and to what degree? Anthropogenic is the nerd word for “human caused” What effects will Climate Change create? Melting polar ice caps Rising sea levels Redistribution of moisture Extinction of species
We love using fossil fuels for producing energy Using fossil fuels produces CO 2 CO 2 is a greenhouse gas The Greenhouse Effect may be contributing to CC Greenhouse Effect animation Greenhouse Effect animation Is human produced CO 2 enhancing the Greenhouse Effect and contributing to CC?
You will watch two documentaries with your BS detectors on: An Inconvenient Truth The Great Global Warming Swindle You will write a position paper justifying and summarizing your opinion on the three controversies