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11. Is the hole in the ozone layer related to the climate change are seeing today?

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11. Is the hole in the ozone layer related to the climate change are seeing today?

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http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-and-effects-of-ozone-hole.php
Yes since many of the gases that cause the hole in ozone layer also contributing to climate change.
Ozone layer absorbs heat radiated to space and the hole in ozone means that slightly more heat can escape into space in that region

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3. Are human activities or natural variations in climate responsible for the climate change being observed today?

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3. Are human activities or natural variations in climate responsible for the climate change being observed today?

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12. Will a small rise in sea level affect people (even in the United States)?

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12. Will a small rise in sea level affect people (even in the United States)?

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The ocean has begun absorbing more heat because of  the large amounts of heat-trapping gases being released into the atmosphere, which cause a higher temperature of Earth’s surface. With the additional heat being absorbed, creating warmer ocean temperatures allowing the effects of thermal expansion. Along with thermal expansion, the melting of glaciers and snow caps release more freshwater into the ocean that can affect sea level. Even by the slightest rise in sea level coastal habitats have a chance to experience flooding, soil contamination and habitat loss which decreases biodiversity. The rising sea levels will could contaminate drinking water. The salt from the ocean could seep into groundwater making it difficult to drink. Along with the water being undrinkable, it can't be used for farming. Water that is too salty will hinder plant growth, possibly killing them. Rising sea levels will also make the beaches disappear and possibly the cities that are built near them as well. This will greatly hurt the economy as the beaches provide a very large amount of income from tourism.

By: Justice, Deztanie, Sean
Sources:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/sea-level-rise/
http://www.businessinsider.com/5-terrifying-impacts-of-rising-sea-levels-2015-2

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Question 9: Do emissions of carbon dioxide from human activities have a big impact on Earth’s climate? 

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Question 9: Do emissions of carbon dioxide from human activities have a big impact on Earth’s climate? 

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Yes emissions of CO2 have a large impact on earth's climate. humans burn fossil fuels which release CO2 and CO2 is a greenhouse gas which means it is a heat-trapping gas. with an increase in CO2 levels, the earth temperature has also increased. the increase in earth temperatures has resulted in many negative impacts such as global warming, loss of sea ice, increased sea levels, stronger storms, and more droughts.
by Tamia, Kaili, and Breeann
https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/

https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/sites/climatechange/home.html

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10. In the past, has Earth been warmer than it is today? If so, does that mean we shouldn’t worry about global warming?

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10. In the past, has Earth been warmer than it is today? If so, does that mean we shouldn’t worry about global warming?

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During of the formation of the Earth atmospheric temperatures exceed over 3 thousand degrees Fahrenheit.  In the past vegetation and animals lived on the poles but the earth has cooled since then. Now the earth is actually becoming warmer at a rate faster than what it naturally should be. This is alarming because it is disrupting many natural processes all over the world. Oceans are rising, ice caps are melting, and weather patterns are changing all because of the increasing temperatures. Although it isn’t as hot as it has been before, we should still be concerned with global warming, because if we don’t then are future is very grim.

By: Phoenix, Noah, and Grace
https://www.climate.gov/news-features/climate-qa/whats-hottest-earths-ever-been
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/science/temperature-is-rising#.WRXtnaQrLIU

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7. Do a few extra cold or snowy winters in your hometown mean that climate change is not happening?

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7. Do a few extra cold or snowy winters in your hometown mean that climate change is not happening?

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Changes and fluctuations in weather and climate patterns over time are natural and not necessarily caused by humans, as there are many natural factors including El Nino that may cause irregular weather patterns, however in the long run, anthropocentric activities resulting in climate change has been shown to be a cause of extreme weather, especially extreme warming temperatures.  According to NASA, the record high temperatures recorded and record amount of rainfall and extreme weather reports have been increasing within the last 50 years, likely due to climate change.  The melting of sea ice can potentially disrupt the thermohaline ocean conveyor current, which can disrupt normal weather and climate patterns long term. This can cause irregular cold weather as well as irregular warm weather. A few random cold and snowy days are an example of weather, not climate, as climate change is based on the long term.

Sources: https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/    http://www.globalchange.gov/climate-change/whats-happening-why

Contributors: Mackenzie, Shelbi, Janna

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13. Are the temperature records showing that global warming is happening reliable?

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13. Are the temperature records showing that global warming is happening reliable?

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In most cases the data collected about climate change is produced by government agencies, and all of the major organizations have concluded that climate change is real and upon us. While you may not trust, or in general agree with the government then go with numbers; because hundreds of scientists, and organizations agree on it’s reliability, and truthfulness. Not to mention the evidence of the rising global temperature, and the shifting migratory patterns of the animals, and organisms on the Earth. Scientists have discovered the global temperature has risen an estimated  0.15 degrees Celsius every decade and two thirds of this warming has occurred since 1975. Scientists have also concluded this warming has steadily increased since the beginning of the industrial revolution, providing substantial evidence humans are the cause. Global warming is not the case more as change. Some parts of the world will get colder as some parts get warmer in different parts of the year. Weather patterns will shift and change precipitation patterns not only temperature changes.
Kelsey,  Eli, Shelbi
https://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/

https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/WorldOfChange/decadaltemp.php

http://www.globalchange.gov/climate-change

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Sabrina Miller, Naomi Leuck, and Zara Hooper Question 14

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Sabrina Miller, Naomi Leuck, and Zara Hooper Question 14

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14. Is it too late to do anything about climate change?

Right now we are at the point that we can do certain steps to decrease the amount of damage done to the environment because of climate change but it is too late to ultimately stop climate change. You can help by reducing the emission of greenhouse gases by carpooling or even riding a bike to work. Another way is to get involve with the state into being energy efficient.

https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climatechange/what-you-can-do-road_.html

https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/sites/climatechange/home/why/basic-information.html#difference

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2. What is the evidence that proves the climate is changing?

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2. What is the evidence that proves the climate is changing?

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There are many indicators which prove climate change is a real problem. Some of these include: rising global temperatures, shifting snow and rainfall pattern, and more extreme climate events like heavy thunderstorms and extreme heat, rising sea levels, and heavy drought. Since the Industrial Revolution, humans have contributed to the rising temperatures by adding greenhouse gases, namely carbon dioxide, to the atmosphere. Scientists have closely observed average yearly temperature and have seen an increasing trend. With the data collected, between 1900 and 2000, the average air temperature increased by more than 1.5 F. We have evidence that the climate is changing because we have had 16 out of the 17 warmest years on record occurred since 2001. This is startling because as the temperature increases, it creates several positive feedback loops. Examples of positive feedback loop: With higher temperature there will be a higher demand for air conditioning, with a higher demand for air conditioning the supply of air conditioning will increase and contributing to more air pollution, making the air even warmer, making this all positive feedback loop.Polar ice caps have started melting, decreasing the albedo, which causes waters to warm, further melting the ice.  These are all problems caused directly by change in climate, which makes it impossible to deny climate change on a factual level.
By: Rachel, Noah, Tyler, and Phoenix
http://www.globalchange.gov/climate-change
https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/sites/climatechange/home.html
https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/

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The evidence of rapid climate change is irrefutable and effectively transcends all social, economic, political and environmental bounds. Everything is affected. Since 1880, the average global temperature has risen about 0.8°C (1.4°F), resulting in many of

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Question 1: Is there scientific consensus on climate change? 

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Question 1: Is there scientific consensus on climate change? 

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Currently there is an almost unanimous consensus that climate change is a real event that is being caused by human activities.  Around 97 percent of climate scientists have come to the consensus that climate change and warming trends have resulted because of the action of humans.  Scientists have collected such extensive evidence including rising global temperatures, warming oceans, rising sea levels, extreme weather patterns, sea ice shrinkage, glacial thaw, and ocean acidification that the probability of the legitimacy of climate change based on human activities in the last few centuries is nearly indisputable.

Sources: https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/sites/climatechange/home/why/causes.html
Contributors: Mackenzie, Janna, Tamia, Kaili

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Question 5- How can carbon dioxide hurt us?

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Question 5- How can carbon dioxide hurt us?

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Eli, Kelsey, Alex
Carbon dioxide is harmful due to its ability to trap heat. The heat is then brought to the earth's surface causing an increase in heat waves, which can cause human distress or heat related deaths. This heat also stresses animals resulting in less meat, eggs, and milk for the growing human population to consume. The increase in CO2 doesn't only increase the heat, but effects certain regions by fluctuating the occurrence of droughts and floods. This hurts crop productions by them not getting enough water or too much of it.
https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/sites/climatechange/home/climate-impacts-in-the-midwest.html#Overview

http://www.globalchange.gov/climate-change/whats-happening-why

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Naomi Leuck, Sabrina Miller, and Justice Wilburn Question 6 

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Naomi Leuck, Sabrina Miller, and Justice Wilburn Question 6 

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6. How can a change of one or two degrees in global average temperatures have an impact on our lives?

Changes in temperature are leading to extreme weather such as prolonged heat and or rainfall. In some regions it also is leading to droughts causing conflict with agriculture which can lead to starvation. Issues with water and air quality will cause an increase of health issues such as severe heat stroke, asthma, and diseases carried by insects and rodents.

https://health2016.globalchange.gov/climate-change-and-human-health

https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/sites/climatechange/home/climate-impacts-in-the-midwest.html#Overview

http://www.globalchange.gov/climate-change/whats-happening-why

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8.How does water vapor in our atmosphere contribute to global warming?

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8.How does water vapor in our atmosphere contribute to global warming?

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Water vapor does not allow short-wave energy from the sun to be absorbed, but they do absorb the long-wave energy re-radiated from the earth. Water vapor also contributed a positive feedback loop because the more water vapor in the atmosphere the warm it gets, however the warmer it gets the more water vapor is found in the atmosphere. If the Earth warms 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit, the associated increase in water vapor will trap an extra 2 Watts of energy per square meter.
By: Rachel, Tyler, and Zara
https://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/vapor_warming.html
http://www.globalchange.gov/climate-change

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ignoratio elenchi n.
A logical fallacy of presenting an argument that may in itself be valid, but has nothing to do with the proposition it purports to prove. Also known as "irrelevant conclusion". [Lat. ignorance of refutation.]

In her comment to our Exxon post, Beth Wellington raises an important question: What can we do to make sure that our kids are being taught the real facts on climate change? Her question reminded me of a recent incident, and leads me to award this week's Ignoratio Elenchi Award to an unknown teacher from an unspecified state. Let me explain.

A few weeks ago I was visiting with a senator about actions his state could take to prepare for national legislation on climate change. He suddenly changed the subject and said he had a science question. It seems the senator's 11-year old son came home one day and announced that he learned in school that the whole global warming thing was hype. He said that the most significant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere is water vapor - not carbon dioxide - and therefore it makes no sense to cap emissions of carbon dioxide. How, asked the senator, should he respond to his son?

The water-vapor argument is a classic Ignoratio Elenchi fallacy. Yes, water vapor in the atmosphere contributes significantly to global warming. But this doesn't mean that carbon dioxide need not be capped!

The amount of water vapor in the atmosphere is not directly affected by human activities. It's controlled by atmospheric temperature - the higher the temperature, the more water the air can hold. When carbon dioxide - which is directly affected by human activities - is emitted into the atmosphere, the atmosphere warms slightly. But that modest amount of warming sets up a perverse amplification process: carbon dioxide emissions warm the atmosphere, which leads to more water vapor in the atmosphere, and thus more warming. It's a vicious cycle.

We know from satellite measurements that this amplification process is, in fact, occurring. Water vapor in the atmosphere has increased over the past 25 years as carbon dioxide emissions have increased and the atmosphere has warmed. The only way to stop global warming is to stop the emissions of carbon dioxide, and that is why we must cap carbon dioxide emissions.

The senator's son got his information from a teacher, and while I'm sure the teacher's intentions were good, he or she got it very wrong. Yes, water vapor in the atmosphere strongly increases global warming, but it doesn't follow that carbon dioxide emissions need not be capped. Hence this week's Ignoratio Elenchi Award goes to this unknown teacher.

Next time I'll tell you about something I'm doing to help make sure teachers have the real scoop on climate change.

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ignoratio elenchi n. A logical fallacy of presenting an argument that may in itself be valid, but has nothing to do with the proposition it purports to prove. Also known as "irrelevant conclusion". [Lat. ignorance of refutation.] In her comment to our Exxon post, Beth Wellington raises an importan