CSF101 Global warming and climate change

Take a moment to think about what you understand of global warming and climate change. Consider these questions:

  1. How does the above explanation of basic scientific principles fit with your understanding of global warming and climate change?
  2. At a basic level, how might the climate system be affected if the concentration of gases making up the atmosphere and ozone layer are changed?
  3. Is that system likely to remain unchanged?

As the explanation says “the chemical matter we have on Earth will always be here”, and it’s the chemicals we’ve been putting into the Earth’s multiple systems which are contributing to global warming and climate change. I also understand the idea that energy radiates into the Earth’s system and should then be radiated back into space.

At a basic level, however, the unnatural substances which have been added into the Earth’s atmosphere over time have upset the balance and have created a sort of thermal blanket which is ‘containing’ the sun’s energy and preventing it from being radiated back into space. This is raising the temperature of the Earth’s surface.

The climate system will continue to be affected (resulting in ongoing climate change), unless we can find ways to embrace restorative and regenerative practices which not only stop the damage but also restore the natural balance.

How does the above explanation of basic scientific principles fit with your understanding of global warming and climate change?
The biosphere is an interconnected system. Global warming affects the global climate. Natural climate systems tend to buffer around suitable conditions for life. Human intervention (resulting in global warming) disrupts these natural climate systems.
At a basic level, how might the climate system be affected if the concentration of gases making up the atmosphere and ozone layer are changed?
Affects the amount of radiant energy that can be released from the earths atmosphere into space.
Is that system likely to remain unchanged?
No. Humans have already caused significant changes to the atmospheric composition. Although there have been many political and social movements to combat climate change, climate models and research papers conclude that it’s going to get worse before it gets better.The CO2 tipping point of 350ppm was reached in 2013.