CLIMATE CHANGE(aka, Global Warming)

The Basics

Climate vs. Weather

Weather: short term and local

Climate: long term and regional A trend that spans decades A trend that is “global”

Seeing 3 feet of snow on the ground in January is NOT proof against CLIMATE change

CC is many controversies

Is Climate Change happening?

If it is happening, is human activity contributing to it, and to what degree? Anthropogenic is the nerd word for “human caused”

What effects will Climate Change create? Melting polar ice caps Rising sea levels Redistribution of moisture Extinction of species

Background

We love using fossil fuels for producing energy

Using fossil fuels produces CO2

CO2 is a greenhouse gas

The Greenhouse Effect may be contributing to CC

Greenhouse Effect animation

Is human produced CO2 enhancing the Greenhouse Effect and contributing to CC?

Making Your Own Judgement

You will watch two documentaries with your BS detectors on:

An Inconvenient Truth

The Great Global Warming Swindle

You will write a position paper justifying and summarizing your opinion on the three controversies