Crisis in the Atmosphere

Crisis in the Atmosphere Hi Students today you will be watching a video that is pretty old, which I find to be interesting, because it allows us to see how the predictions made in this movie have actually panned out. Also, it’s interesting to see how technology has changed. If you respond to these questions with detail, accuracy and neatness, I will provide you with 5 points extra credit.

1. The video shows some interesting things happening in Switzerland more than a decade ago, kind of revolutionary for the time. Please explain what the video shows happening in Switzerland related to transportation. Next speculate as to why we Americans have not adopted these types of transportation technologies.

Switzerland produces electric powered cars; people can then can drive their small electric cars to their work places and plug them in to solar powered charging stations, so they can charge their cars while they are at work. I believe Americans have not adopted these strategies due to a combination of factors starting with a lack of strong self-identity, and a general sense of apathy and disconnectedness in regards to the earth and the life support systems that keep us alive

2. The video shows some of the ways that scientists studied the atmosphere in the past describe some of the ways that technology has changed in the past few decades, include several examples.

One thing that has surely changed since 1992 is the widespread implementation of computers and climate models, these climate models enable us to input several factors relating to climate and get future predictions about climate, much more reliably than those of the 1990’s. Also we have more advanced tools for ice core sampling, starting with the drills being used. We also have much more advanced satellite technology for measuring ice melt and temperatures around the globe

3. What are some of the “nasty surprises” the scientist says could result from global warming? It is now 2014 have any of these predictions come to fruition? Explain.

Some of the nasty surprises are melting of polar ice caps---check

Sea level rise—check

Warmer temperatures in some places----check Desertification---check

4. Explain what CFC’s are, then explain how CFC’s affect the ozone layer, being very specific. Next explain how the hole in the ozone could affect Antarctic ecosystems.

CFC’s are chemicals that create endothermic (and thus cooling) reactions. These chemicals have been widely used since the 1930’s in everything from air conditioners to refrigerants to aerosols to cleaning solvents. CFC’s migrate into the stratosphere where they become locked up in a polar vortex over the South Pole. During spring in the southern hemi, increased UV light breaks apart the Chlorine from the rest of the molecule. The chlorine then goes on to react with ozone (Cl + O3=ClO +O2 and then O +ClO = O2 + Cl) and the process continues. The hole in the ozone layer could cause too much UV light to shine on the Antarctic, thus decreasing the ability for photosynthesis to take place among the phytoplankton, which could in turn cause a collapse of the entire food web

5. Is it possible that global climate change and the thinning ozone layer are related? Explain. Include a description of the role of ozone in the stratosphere vs ozone in the troposphere AND include a description of how the way the CFC’s impact the troposphere vs. how they impact the ozone layer.

Well, I believe it is possible that there is a connection between the ozone hole and global warming. As the ozone thins, more UV light can get through to the earth’s surface. This could cause the earth’s surface to heat up more and cause more IR radiation to be produced. With the increase in GHG’s, more IR radiation could be trapped by the greenhouse layer and heat up the earth. Also as more UV light gets through, more ozone can be produced in the troposphere, which is also a GHG down here, thus causing more warming. Also, CFC’s act as a GHG down here, so they enhance the greenhouse effect in the troposphere, whereas CFC’s break apart ozone in the stratosphere.