Topic 4_ Climate Change Study Guide PDF

Environmental Biology: Science and Solutions (BIOL 1052 and 1055) Fall 2024 (Mosser) Final exam is worth 100 points: - 75 points on Topic 4 (Climate Change) - 25 points on cumulative material...

Environmental Biology: Science and Solutions (BIOL 1052 and 1055) Fall 2024 (Mosser) Final exam is worth 100 points: - 75 points on Topic 4 (Climate Change) - 25 points on cumulative material Topic 4: Climate Change Study Guide *A topic we discussed only in class and is not in the book. Study questions: How and why has the global climate changed over very long time scales? What is the evidence for global warming in recent history (the last two centuries)? How is this recent pattern of warming different from what has happened in the past? How are estimates of temperature done without thermometers (before humans had thermometers or when we were unable to use them)? What is the role of various proxy measurements (including the use of stable isotopes)?* What are the primary causes of current global climate change? What is the evidence concerning the relative contributions these have had in recent climate change? Describe the greenhouse effect. What are the primary greenhouse gasses on earth? Summarize the trends over time for various greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, especially in the last two centuries. What is the evidence that suggests the recent and current rise in CO2 is caused by human activity? Sketch the carbon cycle, including the sinks/reservoirs and fluxes between them. Be sure to show where atmospheric CO2 comes from and where it goes. What is the difference between climate, climate trends, and weather events? How can descriptions of weather events be misleading in terms of climate change science? Can you critique language concerning climate change for precision and scientific accuracy? In class, we’ll look at some examples. How are mathematical/theoretical models used to predict the effects and magnitude of climate change? Identify and predict the effects of positive and negative feedback loops on the climate. What are some of the expected effects of climate change (on weather, agriculture, disease, etc.)? What are some of the public controversies regarding climate change? What are the sources and motivations behind these? What is the difference between public controversy and scientific controversy? What are our current sources of energy/electricity? In what proportions are they used? What are non-renewable and renewable energy sources? What are the pros and cons of different energy sources (fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy)? What are some actions (individual, societal, and political) that could reduce climate change? How are we doing in making these changes? What are some of the creative and “out there” ideas to address climate change? How do they work and what are the potential downsides? Practice interpreting graphs and data tables regarding climate and climate change. Vocabulary: global warming climate change temperature proxies and stable isotopes* greenhouse effect & greenhouse gasses climate weather fossil fuels alternative energy renewable energy sources (solar, geothermal, wind, tidal/wave, biofuel) nuclear energy carbon cycles (sources, sinks/reservoirs, fluxes/flows) solar energy decomposition combustion ice cores ice ages Milankovitch cycles global warming potential, or GWP, of a gas albedo carbon capture/sequestration carbon cap-and-trade All topics/Cumulative Study Guide Overall goals and topics (mostly from course syllabus) and study questions: To acknowledge the lens through which everyone views environmental issues. Questions: - What factors (e.g. cultural history) might influence someone’s view on an environmental issue? Why? Provide an example. - What are some ways to find common ground? To learn major concepts associated with environmental science. Topics: - Scientific method (hypothesis, prediction, theory) - Observational vs. experimental studies - Tragedy of the commons - Environmental justice - Ethics Questions: - What is/isn’t environmental science? - Why are observational studies common in environmental science? What are the drawbacks of an observational study, compared to experimental? - Why is the challenge of climate change and CO2 emissions a good example of tragedy of the commons? - Why is climate change an issue that can only be addressed internationally? - How does environmental science intersect with ethics and values? How are the answers to some questions a matter of personal or social values rather than science? - Is it true that the consequences of climate change are likely to be felt most strongly in places least responsible for climate change?  To gain familiarity with biological concepts related to the environmental topics covered: Topics (Note that small-scale detail from the first three topics won’t be covered on the final. See the questions below for examples of how previous topics will be addressed and linked together.) - Biodiversity: evolution, population growth, how we measure biodiversity, ecosystem ecology (biogeochemical cycles, energy pyramids, trophic levels, limiting factor for productivity), community ecology (e.g. keystone species), conservation biology. - Environmental toxicology: types of toxicants, biomagnification (recall concept of trophic levels from ecosystem ecology), precautionary principle, policies and trends in pollution - Food production and choices: biodiversity as it pertains to agricultural ecosystems, artificial selection as it applies to crops, limiting factors for primary productivity and fertilizer use, the implications of trophic level energy transfer on environmental costs of meat production, biotechnology (specifically genetic engineering of food products). - Global climate change: The carbon cycle and human perturbations thereof, evolutionary predictions of responses to climate change. Questions: - As the climate changes, why won’t all species adapt and survive? Explain this in terms of evolutionary processes. What types of species or populations might be more likely to survive? - How can some biofuels be carbon neutral? Be specific, including components of the carbon cycle. - What role does human population growth play in our projections for the future of climate change? - What agricultural and food choices can we make to reduce the environmental impacts? - What is the value of biodiversity? Include both economic and cultural components. To work on refining the following skills: Topics: - Data interpretation and evaluation - Establishing and testing hypotheses - Evaluating the quality of scientific sources Questions: - What steps do you take to interpret a graph of data (e.g. start with understanding the axes)? - What is considered a good scientific source? - Provide an example of a hypothesis and an associated prediction. - What is peer review and how does it increase the reliability of science? To explore scientific, social and technological advances that have both positive and negative effects on the environment. Topics (examples): - Genetic engineering - Environmental regulation and policy - Pesticides - Industrial revolution and energy production - Globalization Questions: - Explain how and why one of the above topics impacts the environment. Consider that there are often positive and negative effects, or trade-offs.