Week 14

   This week in lab, we were equipped with knowledge to teach people about climate change. We dug in how climate change works deeply. We began by discussing who we interviewed and what they said. Then we dived into real data and analyzed it.

            CO2 data ------------------------------------------->

                                      300 to 400

    Then we watched a video on climate change. Scientist discussed it all. First how we have annual huge forest fires now, that did not occur in the past. Then how temperature has rose and the atmosphere changes. One scientist, just like his father, analyzes air samples from glass flasks. They discussed how seasons cause some CO2 pattern, the "breathing" of CO2 from vegetation. But even with the up and down, the peaks continued to rise. Next they drilled into polar ice, making deep cores of ice all the way down to 800,000 years old. The arctic ice contains bubbles of fossil air. They can then melt it and measure what the greenhouse gases were back then. The CO2 level skyrocketed beginning at the industrial revolution. They found that temperature and CO2 has historically been connected. Lastly they asked, what is causing it? Carbon 12 versus carbon 13 can help determine, because there is preferences. Plants prefer to "eat" carbon 12. Humans burning fossil fuels, the ratio of carbon 12 and 13 is disrupted. Fossil fuels have rose the worlds temperature 1 degree c. Humans have caused it so we must fix it. We need to stop burning fossil fuels and switch to renewable systems and green technology. We have the solutions for climate change we just need people to address and act.

- Sun emits solar radiation (visible light) and comes to the planet

- Albedo # (color): white reflects, brown middle, black absorbs

- Infrared light is emitted by Earth's surface, some pass through atmosphere

- Light comes in, converts to infrared, some escapes atmosphere, and some of it get hung up in greenhouse gas "Earths blanket"

    We did a Phet simulation of the photon absorption in the atmosphere. Methane, CO2, and Oxygen all interact with infrared photons. It is harder to get them out of the atmosphere when there are more of these for them to interact with on its way out. Molecules vibrate with infrared photons and shoot them out every which way. More infrared caught up/interacting -> more climate change. Greenhouse gas (any molecule that is up in the atmosphere and vibrates) absorbs and re-emits infrared light. Vote to protect the planet! Make it a nonpolitical issue, force both sides to care about the issues.

    Every year they say that it will globally be the hottest year on record. If it was not human caused, the temps would not continuously skyrocket. Some people argue that this is natural like the ice age and CO2 is rising because temperature is rising, not the other way around like scientists have backed up. Yeah the CO2 always has went up and down, but it was always between 180 and 280. But now we are at 400s! Humans are causing this, period. When learned how to burn coal in the industrial revolution everything climbed. In spring and summer plants eats up CO2, reducing it significantly seen in the NASA video we watched of 2006. 

    Next we viewed data close to home, from a West Branch, IA weather balloon. We need to teach climate change locally to kids. The low points of CO2 on the graph are during the summer when plants are eating it up most. The high points of CO2 are in the winter. CO2 up 42%, Methane up 157%, Nitrous Oxide up 25% (since 1750). Hemp would be the superpower plant. Vote and educate!

    In lecture this week, we first went over the final exam, no review, and evaluation directions for Jeff. CO2 changes you make are not going to be for you, but after your lifetime, for your kids and your grandkids. Plants happened first because they took care of the high CO2 and released oxygen for the animals that came afterwards. The Earth naturally creates some greenhouse gases (volcanoes and solar activities), otherwise we wouldn't be here. 

Albedo 1: completely reflect radiation

Albedo 0: completely absorbed radiation

    Positive feedback -> not making it better per say but just making it more. Ted told us about the installation and process of putting 17 solar panels on his house. It is much worth the initial investment in the long run.