AY Honors/Climate Science - Advanced/Answer Key

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1. Earn the Climate Science Honor, and at least one of the following honors:

For tips and instruction see Climate Science.

2. What is industrialized agriculture? What are some positive and negative impacts that industrialized agriculture has had on earth’s climate? How has industrialized agriculture methods changed over the past 200 years?

Industrialized agriculture is a method of modern farming that refers to the advanced approaches in the production of fish, crops, poultry, and farmed animals. Its methods include advancements in a number of areas such as agricultural equipment, farming procedures, and international trade. Produce such as meat products, eggs, dairy, fruits and vegetables in the market for consumption are produced using these methods.

The impact of industrialized agriculture has been increasingly significant over the years. From raising livestock which emit methane gas as a waste product to cutting down large areas of the Amazon forest to meet the global need for meat and animal feed, the effects on Earth’s climate have become more evident. Industrialized agriculture wreaks havoc on the environment, endangers workers, and contributes to the pollution of the air, water, and soil.

3. Name at least two government agencies in your country and three non-government organizations (e.g. UN, IPPC) that provide research associated with climate change for the purposes of influencing government policy. Review a report published by each of these five entities and discuss the similarities and differences of their evidence and conclusions.

4. Research a climate change topic that may be controversial.

a. Identify a source from each side of the controversy that utilizes scientific evidence to support the authors’ conclusions.

b. Outline each argument providing the hypothesis, evidence, and conclusion for each side.

c. Examine your outlines to determine if your own personal biases affected your outlines.

d. Answer the following question: Can a person examine scientific evidence without allowing their personal biases to affect their examination?

5. What is permafrost? How does the Earth’s climate affect permafrost? Why is it important for scientists to monitor permafrost?

Permafrost is a thick layer of soil or ground that has remained frozen for more than two years. Such grounds are common in high mountains and higher altitudes on the earth’s surface.

As the temperature of the earth increases, the ice that resides in the permafrost will begin to thaw. This process exposes all of the soil and water that has be trapped, which has the potential of causing major stability issues for community roads and homes that have been built on it.

Permafrost contains plant material in soil, which has not decomposed. As a result, when it begins to thaw, decomposition takes place by means of microbes. This process releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere like methane and carbon dioxide. In addition, bacteria and viruses from long ago are also released, which can make humans and wildlife sick with little ability to develop proper treatment to protect the immune system.

This is why it is so important for scientists to monitor permafrost. Their ability to study regions from satellites in space rather than on the ground has given them the advantage to perform proper analyses and time to make preparations.

6. Research your state/provincial government’s efforts to address the effects of greenhouse gases. Be prepared to discuss your findings with a group.

7. Renewable energy has been postulated as a solution for reducing greenhouse gases. Do three of the following:

a. Illustrate through creative media the process of how greenhouse gases are theorized to affect change to our climate.

b. Research what efforts your local state/provincial government is taking to promote the adoption of renewable energy sources.

c. List ways you and your family can adopt renewable energy or reduce your energy footprint.

d. Where possible, invite a local expert to come speak to your group about climate change and renewable energy.

e. Find and review online resources, videos, news reports, and similar media and share them with your group.

8. Individually or as a group, complete one of the following:

a. Create a model of a water harvesting system. Prepare and give an oral presentation to a group, presenting your model, its effectiveness, and the local laws concerning gathering rain water.

b. Visit a park, museum, science center, or other facility that employs eco-conscious practices. Take a tour, talk to an employee, or in some other way learn about and evaluate the features you see.

References