Earth 101
Name:
Penn Stater Article Activity
Using the three "PennStaterLetters" PDF files and the "Physical
Science Basis Report Summary.pdf" file from the course website,
answer the following questions:
1. In David Mooney's letter (p. 7), he implies that a current period of global
warming is simply the result of Earth's natural climate cycles, noticeable
over "a few billion years of geologic record." Which section of the IPCC
Summary addresses the issue of how the current global warming trend fits
in with the ancient record of climate cycles on earth? Briefly summarize the
conclusion that this section of the report draws about the current warming
trend.
2. Ward Wheatall (p. 7), implies that "government wastes" (specifically
NASCAR races, private aircraft, oversized cars, air-conditioning, etc.) are a
cause of global climate change. According to the "Human and Natural
Drivers of Climate Change" section of the IPCC Summary, these practices
are likely to affect the levels of which greenhouse gas? Using Figure SPM.2
(Summary pg. 4), identify the RF (radiative forcing) value of this gas. What
is the relative level of scientific understanding about how much this gas
affects climate change?
