First Reflection Paper

The three themes of this course involve exploring concepts, testing theories, and
solving problems pertaining to climate change. The well-accepted, but still rejected
theory of Earths change is heavily supported by evidence of current anomalies and
historical examples of similar events. This reflection paper will delve into the three
themes and how they are reflected in this weeks materials.
Earth systems are interconnected. A change in one system can offset a ripple
effect in many others. In climate change, an increase in temperature can be caused by
many different changes and can set off many different effects. Something as simple as
an increase in sun exposure on the North Pole could raise the temperature by melting
ice and lower the albedo effect, causing a flux of salt into ocean waters, a rise in sea
level, and so much more. The author of the article Whats the Difference Between
Weather and Climate?, published by NASA, explains that regional climate changes can
alter many aspects of Earths systems and our use of them, including crop yields, water
resources, forest life, and general ecosystem productivity. This article also included
information about how the many aspects of climate are monitored by NASA satellites,
from the poles reflectivity to the ozone layer.
In Cosmos #12, the major impact that little
changes in Earth systems can have on climate is explored. Neil Degrasse Tyson
explains how oceans absorbs CO2, allowing algae and phytoplankton to
photosynthesize and store carbon. When these organisms die and become sediment,
that sediment is subducted and carbon enters the atmosphere and ecosystem once
again. Slight changes in the amount of carbon or distribution of carbon on a planet can
cause temperature changes, such as that of the situation on Venus, which now stores
the majority of its carbon in the scorching atmosphere. Such changes in this system can
heat the planet, causing other systems to account for, or to feed on, the change through
positive or negative feedback loops. Tyson explains that altering the amount of ice in
the North can cause a dampening of the Earths reflectivity, further decreasing
temperatures. When oceans warm, the shoreline is exposed to erosion and storming.
Exposed permafrost contains organic matter that, when rotting, releases greenhouse
gases such as methane and carbon dioxide. Warming temperatures evidently have an
impact on many human functions, according to the Global Change Research Program.
Some of these will be discussed within the third theme.
Science involves testing claims by using supporting evidence to formulate logical
explanations for phenomena. This requires the determination of how and in what ways
surfacing data supports a theory. When it comes to climate change, claim testing can
involve taking a look at how a certain impactor has affected climate in Earths history.
Although this theme was not heavily discussed this week, it was mentioned. In Comos
#12, Neil Degrasse Tyson explained that Charles David Keeling developed a way to

accurately measure atmospheric CO2 concentrations. The data reported that the
amount of CO2 rose in the winter and lowered in the summer. After applying the data to
simple seasonal ecology, he determined that plants in the summer quickly consume
carbon dioxide, lowering the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and
cooling the planet as a transition to winter. In winter, when there are fewer plants in full
productivity, carbon dioxide levels increase and warm the planet in preparation for
summer. Keeling applied the data to fundamental concepts and pieced together a
theory that is evident through the seasons. With the same data, he also observed a
spike in carbon dioxide levels in the modern era, which is another piece of evidence to
support the ongoing theory that modern climate change is speeding forward. In addition
to collecting data and presenting a theory, climate scientists must go about effectively
presenting data and convincing others that the data is supportive of the theory. Daniel
Crawford, a student at the University of Minnesota, was able to take the history of
temperature on Earth and turn it into a piece of music. His music demonstrated another
method of presenting climate data that can be much more communicable and relatable
to the public eye.
The final theme involves the challenges and potential solutions that result from
our changing climate. The key to solving climate change is understanding it, assessing
the challenges at hand and strategically altering current methods of industry, farming,
and resource utilization. Understanding climate change requires separating weather
from climate. NASAs article on the ...Difference Between Weather and Climate...
suggests that some scientists define climate as average weather patterns over a 30
year time period. Others require longer, or shorter data ranges. Either way, the
establishment of distinction between the straight and spiking lines, such as those
shown on NOAAs Climate Central temperature graphs, is the separation of climate and
weather. This separation is helpful in determining the degree of change that is
occurring. Assessing the challenges that arise with that change requires careful
prediction.The North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program
(NARCCAP) has completed in-depth studies and predictions on climate change by
region of the US. In the Southeastern region, for example, the program predicts that
increased temperatures will have a major effect on water. The melting of glaciers will
cause a rise in sea level, increasing the chances of saltwater intrusion into aquifers and
other freshwater sources, and altering the safety and cleanliness of that water. The rise
may also cause the flooding of beneath-sea-level cities. Hotter environments will kindle
algal blooms in water, which can damage the intricate balance of aquatic ecosystems
by blocking sunlight and changing water quality. In these new conditions, hurricanes will
grow stronger, and rainfall with increase annually. Knowing what to expect will help in
exploring how to prepare for such changes. Predictions, if based on solid evidence, can
provide the information needed to assess the required precautions.