Lec 16

Question 1

what is an example of a positive feedback loop in long-term temp?

Answer 1

CO2 solar radiation due to solar cycles

Question 2

Define the CO2 positive feedback loop?

Question 3

Define positive feedback

Question 4

What are long-term temperature changes linked to?

Answer 4

solar cycles that changed CO2 concentrations

Question 5

If the relationship between the Earth and Sun is unchanged:

Is it reasonable to predict that solar cycles are responsible for modern CO2 levels and warming?

Answer 5

No. If levels are unchanged, another factor has to be at play.

Question 6

Using the direct testing of solar hypothesis, what were the results?

Answer 6

1. Solar radiation and temperature follow similar patterns until about 1960
2. Starting in the 1960’s, radiation was roughly stable and then decreased at the end of the time series
3. Temperature increases most rapidly around 1970

Question 7

What do the results from the direct testing fpr the solar hypothesis reveal?

Answer 7

The most rapid global warming in the past 50 years is not driven by solar radiation changes

Question 8

Regarding the direct test of solar hypothesis, until 1960, warming and solar irradiance followed _____ ______

Answer 8

similar pattern

Question 9

Regarding the direct test of solar hypothesis, post 1960 -> solar irradiance would predict ____ while temperatures increased due to increased ____ ____ ____ concentrations

Answer 9

cooling ; green house gasses

Question 10

In regard to modern warming matches CO2 trends:
the global mean temperature anomaly from 1880-2021 compared with the 20th century mean:

Answer 10

we have had more “hotter-than-average” years since 1980; we haven’t had a single “colder-than-average” year since 1980

Question 11

Considering what we know of the earth is not normal for the vast majority of the human experience since the innovation of ____ ____

Answer 11

mass industrialization

Question 12

What are the basic ideas of known climate models?

Answer 12

We can use known factors to compose scenarios based on modern decision making

Question 13

What are known climate models for?

Answer 13

Based on previous average temperatures, we can depict them on figures to predict model’s calculations. The calculations present weather expectations and the reality, determined by average human decisions.

Question 14

What does the known climate model predict we are headed (best and worst case scenario)

Answer 14

1. best -> immediate and rapid emissions reduction (2.5*F warming by end of the century)
2. worst -> we keep going about the climate how we already are (more than 8*F warming)

Question 15

What does 8*F determine for the future climate on a planetary level?

Answer 15

4.5C/8F was what changed the “ice age unit” to where we are today.

Question 16

If we add two ice-age degrees energy (9*F), we enter ______

Answer 16

the cretaceous era (unrecognizable).

Question 17

Define weather:

Answer 17

short term variation in temperate and precipitation

Question 18

How do weather systems compare longterm?

Answer 18

they are chaotic and unpredictable

Question 19

Weather varies: (4)

Answer 19

hourly, daily, yearly, seasonably

Question 20

Define climate

Answer 20

long term average weather conditions

Question 21

Define climate change:

Answer 21

persistent changes in average weather conditions

Question 22

Is climate predictable?

Answer 22

Yes. Based on average increase in typical conditions of a given area compared to average on planet as a whole