BioBeyond Unit 7: Designer Planet

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BioBeyond Unit 7: Designer Planet Based on the information in the images to the right, which of the following areas will be impacted if we reach 2 degrees Celsius of warming? Select all that apply. ... - ✔✔Food Coasts Water Ecosystems Health Which of the temperatures below do you think is a good target for maximum warming in the next 100 years? For reference, we were at about +0.6oC from the 1951-1980 average in 2014. Next, you'll test scenarios to reach the target you choose. You'll be scored for completing this screen, not any particular response. - ✔✔+2 degrees C from the baseline What is the level of warming by 2150? - ✔✔8 What is the temperature rise by 2150 with your likely scenario? - ✔✔8 Let's see just how good we are as a society - if we put in maximum effort on every single possible technology as soon as possible, where would our temperature rise be by 2150? - ✔✔2 Is your initial target possible with the technologies you tested? - ✔✔No What are some of the environmental impacts of your targeted warming level? Use the data at right for reference. - ✔✔Your response should be more than 100 characters. What do you think some of the economic impacts of your targeted warming level will be? These could be related to the costs of getting to your target with current technology, or costs from the environmental impacts you identify. - ✔✔Your response should be more than 100 characters. Do you think this target is likely to be met with current technology? Enter your answer and justification to the right. - ✔✔Your response should be more than 100 characters. Think back to what you've done so far - what are the factors that affect the temperature of the Earth? - ✔✔Solar luminosity Albedo Atmosphere Distance from the Sun Which of these factors do you think are areas that could be changed deliberately by human endeavor in the near future? Select all that apply - you will be scored based on completion, not accuracy. - ✔✔Earth's albedo (ratio of reflected sunlight) Composition of Earth's atmosphere Energy reaching Earth from the Sun In 1991 an event occurred which changed the Earth's albedo temporarily - what was that event? - ✔✔A massive volcanic eruption If human-made aerosols were introduced into the atmosphere, how could they help reach your warming target? - ✔✔Aerosols reduce the amount of solar energy reaching Earth, reducing its temperature Do you think this would be a good idea? Why or why not? - ✔✔Your response should be more than 100 characters. What would be the impact on Earth's climate of reducing the brightness of the Sun? - ✔✔Less energy would arrive at Earth, and the overall temperature would drop Take a moment to think about the possibility of reducing the brightness of the Sun deliberately. - ✔✔Your response should be more than 100 characters. If carbon dioxide is behind the warming trend, why not just remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere? What effect might this idea have on Earth's climate? - ✔✔Carbon dioxide concentrations and temperatures would drop slowly Take a moment to think about the concept of storing carbon dioxide within deep geologic formations. - ✔✔Your response should be more than 100 characters. Think back to your experiences with photosynthesis - what is a benefit to humans that might come from biomass absorption of carbon dioxide that wouldn't come from factories liquifying and storing it? Select all that apply. - ✔✔More oxygen will be present in the atmosphere Some of the biomass might be able to be eaten or turned into fuel Take a moment to think about the concept of storing carbon dioxide using biomass. - ✔✔Your response should be more than 100 characters. Where does your initial model get our planet in 100 years with these new technologies added? To read the graph with climate intervention technologies, read the temperature value of the lowest black line - ✔✔4.8 Below, finalize your target for warming above the baseline. You will not be able to change it after this screen. Remember, targets above 3oC have been ruled out by world governments due to their impact. - ✔✔2 Think about your plan for a moment. What are some human consequences of your plan? Will cities, states, and countries be flooded? What about agriculture? What about the cost of technologies? - ✔✔Your response should be more than 100 characters. Think about your plan for a moment. What are some ecological or environmental consequences of your plan? - ✔✔Your response should be more than 100 characters. [Show More]

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