Chapter 35 – Antarctica: Researching Climate Change at the Coldest Place on Earth
Main Ideas
November 27, 2012
Details
Essential Question
How might global warming affect the environment in the world’s coldest places?
The geographic
setting
Antarctica - coldest & driest continent on Earth, land buried under glaciers (98%)
avg temp - South Pole is –74°F (spilled coffee can turn to ice before it hits the ground)
southernmost point on Earth
Antarctic Treaty – reserves Antarctica for scientific investigation
International
Research
global warming: the gradual increase in the temperature of Earth’s surface over time. This
warming may be the result of natural causes. It may also be caused by human activity.
warming not uniform. Some places are warmer. Some are cooler.
Global Warming
Theory
3 key ideas
1) Earth’s climate is getting warmer
2) Trend caused by human activity
3) Global warming is harmful to people and many biomes
greenhouse effect: the process by which gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun and
keep it close to Earth’s surface. This trapped heat may contribute to global warming.
People burning fossil fuels (coal, oil , natural gas) blamed
Support for Global
Warming Theory
Three pieces of evidence
1)climate records – show rising surface temps
2) glacier records – melting as temps rise
3) rising levels of greenhouse in atmosphere
Traced to start of Industrial Revolution – start of use of fossil fuels
Results could cause problems – loss of plants and animals, hunger, flooded islands & cities
Doubts About
Global Warming
Theory
Studying
Temperatures in
Antarctica
1) Temps at upper atmosphere show little sign of warming
2) Warming is due to natural causes
3) Rising temps would not be so disastrous (warmer winters, expanded cropland)
Scientists study core samples and record climatic changes from past to present
Studying Ice Shelves
in Antarctica
Researchers study ice shelves to see if they are growing or melting
Studying Penguins
in Antarctica
Researchers study penguins to see if temps are rising in Antarctica
Thinking Globally
& Global
Connections
Scientists study temperatures, ice shelves and penguin populations, but results are not conclusive
– opinions vary.
Producers of greenhouse gases are not always directly affected
People can reduce greenhouse gases by cutting back on fossil fuels