HISTORIAN

 
 
One of the clearest signs that higher levels of greenhouse gases can cause global warming is from an ice core that is from the Russian Vostok station in Antarctica. The temperature and atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) from the present back to about 160,000 years ago can be found using this particular ice core. The ice core is proof that a rise in gases will mean a rise in global temperature (though whether rising gases trigger rising temperatures, or vice versa, remains unknown). The average temperature change over the past century has been about +1 degree Fahrenheit. Though this seems minimal, not only is it a substantial change, but it is actually a rapid increase compared to natural changes.
3. How do scientists know about weather conditions that existed over the past several ice ages?-ice corees are collected in a very interesting way: a hollow tube is driven into ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland/glacial areas.-These long cylinders give an accurate record of what happened as far back as several ice ages ago.-Each layer traps the remains of everything that fell in snow, or things that were floating in the wind (sort of like a time capsule). It even traps atmospheric gases and radioactivity!4. What do ice cores tell us about changes in the composition of the atmosphere and the impact of human activities on the planet?- The gases trapped in the ice cores are proof that atmospheric carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides from coal- and oil-burning power plants, cars, and other fossil-fuel-burning sources have climbed along with the world population- An excellent example of this is fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster 5. During what historical periods did CO2 emissions due to fossil fuel consumption begin to rise? CO2 emissions have been rising at an alarming rate since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, when fossil fuels began to be used on a large-scale basis. Around 1900 seems to be the key date, as that is when the first coal fired plants began to spread. When cars and oil-powered plants arose, that gave rise to another wave of fossil fuel consumption. 6. How have CO2 and methane concentrations changed over the past century?Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have increased nearly 30%, methane concentrations have more than doubled, and nitrous oxide concentrations have risen by about 15%.
7. What are some sources of increased CO2?The burning wood, coal, or gasoline in our cars, carbon dioxide (CO2), are actions when carbon dioxide is released. Also, heating homes and businesses, and running power factories is responsible for about 80% of society's carbon dioxide emissions, about 25% of U.S. methane emissions, and about 20% of global nitrous oxide emissions. Increased agriculture, deforestation, landfills, industrial production, and mining also contribute a significant share of emissions. 7. The most important ecosystems of New Jersey that would be vulnerable to climate change are the coastal wetlands and the forested Pine Barrens. The Pine Barrens cover approximately 1 million acres of the Outer Coastal Plain in southern and central New Jersey. The Pine Barrens provide the habitat for rare and unusual species, including the pine barrens treefrog, which is protected by the Endangered Species Act. Because there are few natural corridors that would allow migration of species, their ability to adapt and migrate in response to climate change could be limited.Plant and animal species near the borders of their ranges are likely to be most affected by climate change. Species better adapted for cool conditions would need to migrate northward, while southern species of plants and animals (including noxious weeds such as kudzu and insect pests such as fire ants) could spread into the state.New Jersey's coastal wetlands are among the largest and most diverse in the mid-Atlantic region. Sea level rise would alter flooding and salinity, with substantial impacts on wildlife and fisheries. Losses of tidal freshwater wetlands would be especially harmful to foraging grounds for wading birds.

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