Climate Change Seminar 2015-2016

Final Combined Essay.

Instructions:
1. Place your completed essays in the appropriate locations.
2. If you wish to try to get expert in the 3 learning targets you can add an overall
introduction and conclusion and add transitions between sections. Also include pictures,
in-text references and an overall bibliography for Expert.

Section 1: Natural Resources & Impact of human Pollution

Look at the ground, look at the sky, and look at the ocean. Look at all these beautiful creations
in the world. How do all these things tie together? All of these things are apart of earth and
impact it somehow, good and bad. Fossil fuels from the ground, climate change, and oceans are
all very important factors of the planet earth. Now lets learn about them and how they impact
planet earth.
How Fossil Fuels are Formed:
Fossil Fuel Essay
Do you ever wonder where the energy we use comes from? Guess what? The energy we use
comes from fossil fuels. What are fossil fuels? Fossil fuels are formed from prehistoric plants
and animals that lived hundreds and millions of years ago. In this essay you will read about how
fossil fuels are formed, what role the carbon cycle plays in the formation of fossil fuels, and what
the fossil fuels are.
In fact, when the plants and animals died, they decomposed and were buried under layers of
mud, rock, and sand. Hundreds and thousands feet of the earth covered the dead plants and
animals. During the millions of years that passed, the dead plants and animals slowly
decomposed into organic materials and formed fossil fuels. The three different types of fossil
fuels are natural gas, petroleum, and coal. The different types of fossil fuels were formed
depending on what combination of animal and plant debris was present, how long the material
was buried, and what conditions of temperature and pressure existed when they were
decomposing. For instance, petroleum and gas are formed from water plants and animals. The
heat, pressure, and bacteria cooks the organic material under slit. Petroleum is formed in the
cooler and more common areas, but natural gas is formed in deeper and hotter areas
underground. Coal goes through the same process, but is formed from dead trees or ferns. Coal
is also most commonly formed in swamps covered by seawater in different temperatures.
Petroleum forms the quickest. Again, fossil fuels are produced by the decomposition of dead
plants and animals from hundreds and thousands of years ago, and each fossil fuel has their
own way of forming.
(Coal Formation)

In addition, fossil fuels form during the carbon cycle. Plants absorb CO2 by a process called
photosynthesis.The carbon from CO2 becomes part of the living plants. It also finds its way into
the cells of animals that eat the plants.The remains of dead plants or dead animals decompose
and produce gaseous CO2 which is returned to the atmosphere.The decay process, which
occurs in the presence of abundant oxygen from the air, completes the carbon cycle by
returning gaseous CO2 to the atmosphere. Fossil fuels form from the lack of oxygen during the
decaying process. The carbon atoms from the dead plants and animals are used to form the
fossil fuels. Lastly, the carbon cycle is an essential part of the fossil fuels because the carbon
produced in the carbon cycle is used to for the formation of fossil fuels.
(Carbon cycle)

Next, the fossil fuels are made of different ingredients and have different uses. Coal is
considered the remnant of plants that grew in swamps hundreds of millions of years ago, and
thus its source is often characterized as terrestrial.
Coal contains lignin, a carbon-based natural polymer that provides rigidity to non aquatic
plants and enables them to stand upright against the pull of gravity. Coal is commonly burned in
power plants that generate electricity. Coal is the fossil fuel that causes the most pollution
because of the sulfur in the coal.
Petroleum is an extremely complex mixture of hydrocarbons, which can be separated into
liquid (oil) and gas fractions. Compared to coal, petroleum being a liquid is easier to transport.
Petroleum also varies greatly in composition and distribution throughout the world, elaborate
systems of refining and transport have been developed.
Natural gas consists mainly of methane (CH 4 ), and can contain up to 20 percent of other
gases. Natural gas has become the favorite fuel of industrial nations. Although it is considered a
"clean" and environmentally friendly fuel, compared to petroleum and coal, it is a major
greenhouse gas. In summary, these fossil fuels have many different factors. They each have

something that they are most commonly used for and they are made up of different
combinations.

Overall, fossil fuels are very unique. Petroleum, natural gas, and coal are all formed from
plants and animals that died years ago, they are all formed in the process of the carbon cycle,
and they have different factors that separate them from each other. These fossil fuels create the
energy we use in our everyday lives.

Combustion and CO2 Formation:

Each fossil fuel has a unique structure, just as each person has their own unique
traits. The structure of coal varies depending on which coal you are describing. Lignite
is the softest and least developed type of coal. It is high in moisture, contains low fixed
carbon, and has low energy. Anthracite is another type of coal. Anthracite is the hardest
type of coal. It contains about 95 percent fixed carbon, it has very little moisture, and it
is rich in energy. Petroleum is a mixture of hydrocarbons which can be separated into
liquid and gas. Hydrocarbons are compounds that contain only carbon and hydrogen.
Petroleum consists of 83-87% of carbon, 10 to 14% of hydrogen, and smaller
percentages of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. There are various petroleum products such
as: gasoline, wax, fuel oil, and asphalt. Natural gas is colorless, odorless, and nontoxic,
but highly flammable. Natural gas- consists mainly of methane, can contain up to 20%
of other gases. Natural gas can consist of 20% mostly ethane, possibly propane,
butane, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. Some natural gases contain small amounts of
hydrogen, argon, carbon monoxide, or hydrogen sulfide. Certain gas wells in Oklahoma
also contain helium.
(Lignite coal)
(Anthracite coal)

The process of combustion allows fossil fuels to release CO2 into the atmosphere.
Combustion is the burning of fossil fuels. A hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen to create

carbon dioxide, water, and heat. One molecule of the hydrocarbon, methane, combined
with two oxygen molecules, react to form a carbon dioxide molecule, and two water
molecules usually given off as steam or water vapor. The carbon dioxide and water is
then released into the atmosphere. Different hydrocarbons release different amounts of
carbon dioxide. The longer and more complex the hydrocarbons are, the more carbon
dioxide it produces. Coal releases more carbon dioxide than oil and gas because it has
the longest and most complex hydrocarbons. Carbon dioxide is always produced in
combustion. It does not matter what type of hydrocarbon is being combined with
oxygen, carbon dioxide will always be produced. The only way for carbon dioxide to be
eliminated is if the fossil fuels were not burned at all. Most of the fossil fuels, when
combusted, can be harmful air pollutants. Natural gas is the cleanest and safest for the
air when combusted.
(Hydrocarbon Combustion)

Combustion produces the energy that we use in our daily lives. The energy is stored
in the compounds in the bonds that bind atoms together. During combustion, the bonds
are breaking and reforming. It takes chemical energy to break and reform bonds. The
chemical energy transforms into heat and light energy. The energy given off is mainly
heat. The energy is then used for our everyday uses like cooking or watching TV.
Carbon Dioxide Concentration & Greenhouse Effect:
Carbon Dioxide Concentration and Greenhouse Effect Paragraphs

In recent years, scientists have noticed that CO2 concentration levels have
doubled compared to the levels several hundred years ago and how CO2 relates to the
temperature. The levels of CO2 in the atmosphere are higher than they have been at
any time in the past 400,000 years. During ice ages, CO2 levels were around 200 parts
per million (ppm), and during the warmer interglacial periods, they were around 280
ppm. The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has jumped 41 percent since the
18th century. And more recently in 2013, CO2 levels exceeded 400 ppm for the first
time in recorded history. Scientist have also noticed how the CO2 concentration levels
and global temperature correspond with one another. When the carbon dioxide
concentration goes up, temperature goes up. When the carbon dioxide concentration
goes down, temperature goes down. Part of the correspondence is due to the
relationship between temperature and the solubility of carbon dioxide in the surface
ocean, but the majority of the correspondence is consistent with a feedback between

carbon dioxide and climate. Scientists fear that in the future the CO2 level will continue
to double or even triple over the years and the correspondence between CO2 and the
temperature will change over time. This correspondence with CO2 and temperature is
likely due to a process called the greenhouse effect.
(CO2 Levels Progression Graph)

(CO2 Levels and Temperature Comparison Graph)

The greenhouse effect is the process of keeping the earth warm and CO2 has the
same job as the glass in an actual greenhouse. In an actual greenhouse, the glass of a
greenhouse allows the suns radiation in, which warms the ground inside, which in turn
warms the air above the ground by longwave radiation. The glass then acts like a
barrier to keep the warm air inside from mixing with the cooler air outside the
greenhouse. CO2 traps the heat inside of the earth. CO2 along with other greenhouse
gases let the suns shortwave radiation in. Then the ground, clouds, and other earthly
surfaces absorb this energy and release it back towards space as longwave radiation.
The CO2 and other gases absorb the longwave radiation from the earth and emit it back

into the atmosphere. The radiation is reflected as heat and warms the earth. Burning
fossil fuels gives us extra heat. Now you know why they call it the greenhouse effect.
CO2 concentration relating to temperature and the greenhouse effect are very important
factors in learning about the earth.
(Greenhouse Effect)

Section 2: Climate Change

Evidence of Climate Change:
Additionally, the earths climate has changed and keeps changing. Carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gases cause the earth to warm. The warming of the earth is an example of climate
change. Climate change is a change in global climate patterns. What evidence is there that the
climate is changing? Climate change is the key element for global surface temperature, glacier
volume shrinkage, and sea level increase.
Scientists measure the earths surface temperature. The earths surface has warmed twice as
much over the past 15 years.To get a complete picture of the earths temperature scientists
combine measurements. Scientists combine measurements from the air and the ocean surface
collected by ships and buoys, and sometimes satellites too. The temperature at each land and
ocean station is compared to what is normal or expected for the location and time. The
differences are called anomalies, which help scientists determine how temperature is changing
over time. The resources used to study global temperature are from four datasets. The four
datasets are called HadCRUT4, GISTEMP, MLOST, and JMA. Out of the four, GISTEMP shows
the fastest results and JMA is the slowest. The datasets are different because they function
differently in areas in the world with measurement errors and other issues. Once scientists work
out the temperature anomalies, they then divide the earth into grid boxes to work out average
temperatures for both hemispheres. They combine all the data from the land and ocean
stations. Smaller grid boxes are more accurate with the average temperature. GISTEMP has
the most detailed grid boxes and the other data sets have grid boxes measuring five by five
degrees. Scientists measure the temperature in other ways, like using other instruments, or
measuring the height to where the heat is, but these datasets are the main way. Measuring the

surface temperature of the earth includes combining measurements, using datasets, and finding
out the average temperature.
(GISTEMP Datasets)

Another result of climate change is the loss of glacier volume. Along with finding the earths
surface temperature, scientists have discovered that the US and Greenland are losing glacier
volume. Greenland is practically melting away. The melting of Greenland glaciers is
accelerating. As the temperature rises, large lakes form on the surface of the ice. Rivers flow
down into giant holes in the ice, which drain through tunnels in the ice sheet and into the ocean.
The ice sheet is very porous, like a sponge. Glaciers in the US are also disappearing. Glaciers
on Mount Baker, in Washington, and other mountains in North Cascades are thinning and
retreating. Seven have disappeared over the past few decades and others have lost one-fifth of
their volume. Two of the largest glaciers of Yosemite National Park have died or do not exist
anymore. In Alaska, a study of 116 glaciers estimated that they lost about 75 billion metric tons
of ice every year from 1994 to 2013. In Montana, Glacier National Park had 150 glaciers in
1850, but now have 25 left. The melting glaciers are crucial to many tribes in the US. The
glaciers on Mount Baker provide a water source for the tribes. The glacial melt keeps stream
cool for fish. The Nooksack Indian Tribe had relied on salmon from the glacier by Nooksack
River. Without the glacial runoff, rivers will become dry and warm, so there will be less salmon.

The melting of glaciers in Greenland and the US, are disappearing fast and who knows how to
save them.
(Glacier)

The melting of the glaciers, has also caused sea levels to rise. The rise in sea levels is linked
to melting glaciers and ice caps, ice loss, and thermal expression. The sea levels rises because
of the runoff from melting glaciers and polar ice caps. Glaciers and ice caps usually melt in the
summer. In the winter, the snow is supposed to balance out the the melting. Recently, though,
higher temperatures cause by global warming have led to higher than usual summer melting
and less snowfall. The imbalance results in a gain in runoff versus evaporation for ocean,
causing sea levels to rise. Another cause of sea level increase is ice loss from Greenland and
West Antarctica. Increased heat is causing massive ice sheets that cover Greenland and
Antarctica to melt quickly. Scientists also believe that meltwater from above and seawater from
below is seeping beneath Greenlands and West Antarcticas ice sheets, causing them to move
more quickly into the sea. Higher sea temperatures are causing large amounts of ice shelves
that extend out from Antarctica to melt from below, weak, and break off. The last cause of sea
level rise is thermal expression. When the water heats up, it expands. About half of the past
centurys sea level rise is related to warmer oceans occupying more space. Most predictions
say that oceans will continue to rise. A recent study says we can expect oceans to rise between
2.5 and 6.5 feet by 2100.
(Sea)

In conclusion, the fact that the earth is getting warmer is noticed by scientists because they
measure the earths surface temperature, the melting of glaciers, and the sea level increase. All
of these elements tie together because of climate change. Climate change is changing the world
and will continue to in the future. These are the results of climate change.

Section 3: Freshwater & Ocean Systems

Role of Oceans in Climate Change:
To change the topic, oceans are so very beautiful. Some of us know what oceans really do for
the earth, even fewer of us appreciate what they do. Oceans are the reason that the weather is
not going crazy. Oceans have slowed the appearance of climate change in three ways. Oceans
have slowed the appearance of climate change by absorbing heat, the sea ice reflecting solar
radiation, and the acidification of oceans. By the end of this paper you will have a new
appreciation for oceans.
The first way is oceans absorbing heat.The earths oceans have soaked up more than ninetenths of the atmospheres excess heat. The excess heat or energy is trapped by greenhouse
gas emissions. The heat is then soaked up by oceans. Oceans have been heating at a rate of
0.5 to 1 watt of energy per square over the past decade. That's more than 2x10 to the 23 power
joules of energy. That's equivalent to about five Hiroshima bombs exploding. The Oceans can
store a lot of heat. Oceans can absorb 1000 times more heat than the atmosphere. Since the
oceans are can handle the heat, they have a high heat capacity. Globally oceans may hold 24 to
58 percent more heat than previously recorded. The heat is estimated to be going 2,000 meters
deeper than previously recorded. The excess heat resides in the upper layer of the ocean. The

heat is stored in the upper 700 meters of the ocean. We know where the heat is because of
argo floats. Argo floats measure ocean water temperature of the upper layer of the ocean. There
are about 3,000 floats globally. The heat gets there by thermohaline circulation. Ocean currents
push the excess heat into deep water and trap the heat. If the currents begin to slow down, that
would cause a huge problem and lead to major increases in global temperatures.
(Argo Floats)

The second way is Arctic sea ice reflecting solar radiation. Arctic sea ice reflects radiant
energy emitted from the sun back into space. Arctic sea ice is frozen ocean water. It forms,
grows, and melts in the ocean. It also keeps the polar regions cool and plays a part in keeping
the global climate under control. 80 percent of the solar radiation strikes the sea ice and is then
reflected back into space. Solar radiation is absorbed by objects causing these objects to warm
up. It only warms the objects, not the air around it. Thats why rocks are hot when in the sun.
Darker objects warm up faster, like rubber mulch on playgrounds. Solar radiation absorption is
limited by arctic sea ice because there is no absorption unless the sea ice melts. Albedo
measures how much energy is being absorbed and reflected. Albedo varies between 0 and 1. It
commonly refers to the whiteness of a surface. 0 means black and 1 means white. Sea ice has
a higher albedo compared to other earth surfaces. Sea ice varies from 0.5 to 0.7. This means
sea ice reflects 50 to 70 percent of solar energy. The albedo of oceans is 0.6. This means
oceans absorb 60 percent of energy. Over the past decades sea ice has been declining.
Scientist continue to watch the sea ice and predict there will be an even larger melt in the future.
The melting of sea ice is a positive feedback loop. A feedback loop is how a change in one
environment can cause a change in another environment, which changes the first condition
again. A feedback loop is more commonly known when it is positive. A positive feedback occurs
when one process causes another process to occur, which causes the first process to occur
more frequently. As sea ice melts there is more heat being absorbed by water, and causes the
water to get warmer, and causes ice to melt faster. Permafrost is another positive feedback
loop. If either of these positive feedback loops gets out of control, that could lead to a climate
change that will be unstoppable and irreversible. Since the year of 2000, the rate of solar
absorption in the Arctic has increased by 5 percent. That is about 10 watts per square meter.
Thats equal to a 10-watt light bulb shining over every 10.76 square feet of the Arctic Ocean for
the entire summer.
(Albedo)

(Arctic Sea Ice)

The third and final way is ocean acidification. Acidity in the oceans negatively affects the
animals in the ocean and the environment. CO2 is the root cause of acidity in the ocean. Each
day humans are releasing 22 million tons of carbon dioxide. 1 quarter of that carbon dioxide is
being absorbed by oceans. According to chemistry, when carbon dioxide mixes with water, it
becomes an acid. In this case, as a result, the ocean becomes acidic. If it continues at its
current rate, the oceans acidity is predicted to double at the end of the century. The ocean
acidity harms the marine organisms. Ocean species, crabs or oysters, build protective shells to
survive. Rising acidity make the organisms have to work harder to build their shells, which
makes their energy level to decrease. When the acidity is too high, the shells dissolve leaving
the organisms vulnerable. The water is becoming more and more corrosive. That also affects
the terrapods, or small plankton to decline. If terrapods go extinct, then fish would likely decline
because terrapods are a main source of food for fish. If fish declined, that would be
disconcerting to humankind. Acidity is also destroying coral reefs. Acidity along with the warm
temperatures in the ocean cause corals to be unable to form skeletons quickly and reefs to
crumble and disappear. 25 percent of marine animals live on coral reefs. There are ways to stop
ocean acidification. Some ways are building more marine protected areas and reducing
pollution. The only way to stop acidification alone is to release less carbon dioxide.
(Oysters)
(Coral Reefs)

Lastly, oceans work in many ways to keep the earths climate in order. Oceans work like a
sponge and absorb heat, they work with sea ice as it reflects heat, and also holds acid. The
ocean is pretty strong for being able to handle all of that. This paper was filled with information
that I hope makes you look at oceans more clearly and admiring. Oceans are really something.

As I have said, fossil fuels, climate change, and oceans affect the earth in a positive way and
a negative way. Each of these factors are unique in their own way and share a special
connection with the earth. Now you know what they are and what they do.

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