In the past 100 years sea surface temperature has been raised by 1.2 degrees Fahrenheit. In the next 100 years it is estimated that sea surface temperature will rise another 2 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit in the Atlantic Ocean. Global
climate change has been linked to an increase in greenhouse gasses. This
increase has been caused by human activities since 1750 (industrial revolution)
and is now much higher than we have seen historically. When solar radiation
comes from the sun, it first hits our earth’s atmosphere at which point about
30% of the energy is reflected away, the rest comes to earth where about 20% is absorbed within the atmosphere, and about 50% is absorbed by
the earth’s surface. When the solar radiation (which is short wave) is absorbed
by earth some is converted into long wave radiation and it is reflected back
into space. This is where greenhouse gasses come into play; when the
re-radiated long wave radiation hits them, they will block it from leaving our
atmosphere. Thus, an increase in greenhouse gasses increases the amount of
radiation that is stopped from leaving our atmosphere, heating up the planet.
It
is easier for air to change temperature than water, which is why we haven’t
seen as much of a difference in sea surface temperatures as we have in air
temperatures yet. The ocean acts as a temperature sink, it can absorb a large
amount of radiation without a large change in sea surface temperature, for now
this is keeping our system in balance.
Scientists
have looked at ice cores and other proxies and found that current levels of
carbon dioxide and methane (main contributors of global warming) are higher
than they have been in the past 420,000 years. It has also been recorded that
past climatic changes occurred over a much greater period of time than it is
occurring today. This quicker rate allows less time for species to adapt, or
move to a new environment, it will likely cause a mass extinction and a huge loss
of biodiversity.
I like the graphics you included on this page, they help to illustrate the point you are making well. I might try to add a bit more context to your claims by citing sources directly, or at least linking the reader to the relevant science. Instead of saying "scientists have looked at [...]", say what scientists looked and give the reader the opportunity to go read about what they actually looked at, then you can give your analysis of their findings.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to always be obviously tying this in to your main point about manatees. The data for change is definitely presented well, you just need to provide it in context of your subject.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very detailed easy to follow description of what climate change is, but it might be nice to tie it into how it effects manatees just briefly to lead into the next part of your blog. I do like how you explained climate change, it was easy to follow and well presented.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of the comments above. Though this page is an excellent quick description of ocean warming, I think you need to be sure to tie it in to manatees. Make sure you keep the focus of your blog.
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