Global Change
Ozone layer, global climate change, biodiversity loss
Article 1: Global Warming & Climate Change
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Summary: Global warming has become one of the most complicated issue discussed by world leaders. It is caused mainly by the burning of fossil fuels and forests. Much of the scientific community is concerned. Global emissions of carbon dioxide were at their highest in 2011 and were expected to continue rising, however, research has shown that they are actually falling slowly in developed countries. There are many predictions as to why this is: economic weakness, the transfer of manufacturing to developing countries and conscious efforts to limit emissions (such as renewable power targets). The big increase in the supply of natural gas from hydraulic fracturing is also a factor because it has replaced coal in many areas, resulting in lower emissions. In developing countries however, like China and India, emissions are growing. The international goal of limiting the ultimate warming of the planet is close to becoming unattainable, according to researchers affiliated with the Global Carbon Project. Scientists think that natural variability was a big part of recent extreme heat and drought but many express doubt and are still concerned about the possibility of global warming spiraling out of control.
Reflection: I was somewhat familiar with the issue of global warming prior to reading this article. I was also aware that people disagree on whether this is a real issue or not and, if so, what causes it. It seems that scientists are beginning to explain the causes of why there have been increases in temperature and to deal with the results of global warming. Overall, the article gave a lot of interesting information, such as that carbon dioxide emissions are actually begin to fall slowly in developed countries while they are continuing to rise in countries such as China or India. This seems to suggest that global warming may be an issue for some countries but not others.
Source: New York Times
Reflection: I was somewhat familiar with the issue of global warming prior to reading this article. I was also aware that people disagree on whether this is a real issue or not and, if so, what causes it. It seems that scientists are beginning to explain the causes of why there have been increases in temperature and to deal with the results of global warming. Overall, the article gave a lot of interesting information, such as that carbon dioxide emissions are actually begin to fall slowly in developed countries while they are continuing to rise in countries such as China or India. This seems to suggest that global warming may be an issue for some countries but not others.
Source: New York Times
Article 2: Biogeography
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Summary: In 1876, Alfred Russel Wallace, the founder of biogeography, drew a map which biogeographers still heavily rely on. It was an early attempt to divide and define the world according to its species. Though he faced many challenges due to the universal belief in evolution, Wallace effectively divided the world into distinct zoobiological regions in the 1870s. The map shows where different regions of historical species mix; it shows that certain animals are able to better mix with those of a different country than those related to them. For instance, a mouse in North Africa is shown to be more likely and able to mix with European mice than its South African cousins. Last month, a new improved map was revealed in Science magazine. This map is intended to be the new baseline for ecological and evolutionary studies, as well as conservation efforts, and offers scientists a comprehensive view of how animal species have changed over time and space.
Reflection: The map helps to educate people how animal species have changed over time. Before reading the article, I had never heard the term "biogeography." In the original instance, Wallace's effort was motivated by his belief in evolution, but even if one does not believe in evolution, there still seems to be value in mapping biodiversity in different parts of the globe. It was highly overdue and beneficial for scientists to improve and update Wallace's map due to changes in the world's species. I think it would be interesting to see a map based on a non-evolutionary perspective.
Source: Discover Magazine
Reflection: The map helps to educate people how animal species have changed over time. Before reading the article, I had never heard the term "biogeography." In the original instance, Wallace's effort was motivated by his belief in evolution, but even if one does not believe in evolution, there still seems to be value in mapping biodiversity in different parts of the globe. It was highly overdue and beneficial for scientists to improve and update Wallace's map due to changes in the world's species. I think it would be interesting to see a map based on a non-evolutionary perspective.
Source: Discover Magazine
Vocabulary
Hydraulic fracturing: The forcing open of fissures in subterranean rocks by introducing liquid at high pressure, especially to extract oil or gas
Fossil fuel: A natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms
Global Carbon Project: a network of scientists that tracks emissions with the goal of developing a complete picture of the global carbon cycle, including both its biophysical and human dimensions
Biogeography: the study of the distribution of species
The Wallace Effect: a hypothesis developed by British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace which holds that natural selection can contribute to the reproductive isolation of newly developing species by evolving barriers against hybridization (the act of mixing different species or varieties of animals or plants in order to produce hybrids)
Source: Dictionary.com
Hydraulic fracturing: The forcing open of fissures in subterranean rocks by introducing liquid at high pressure, especially to extract oil or gas
Fossil fuel: A natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms
Global Carbon Project: a network of scientists that tracks emissions with the goal of developing a complete picture of the global carbon cycle, including both its biophysical and human dimensions
Biogeography: the study of the distribution of species
The Wallace Effect: a hypothesis developed by British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace which holds that natural selection can contribute to the reproductive isolation of newly developing species by evolving barriers against hybridization (the act of mixing different species or varieties of animals or plants in order to produce hybrids)
Source: Dictionary.com
Article 3: Scientists Agree Overwhelmingly on Global Warming. Why Doesn't the Public Know That?
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Summary: This article is about climate scientists who agree that global warming is ultimately caused by human activities. John Cook, the survey's lead author, said, “Our findings prove that there is a strong scientific agreement about the cause of climate change, despite public perceptions to the contrary.” Many people believe that there are other factors that contribute to the cause of global warming. 69 percent of people believe that the Earth is warming; however, only 42 percent believe that the Earth is warming because of human activities. Only 45 percent of Americans said they believed there was scientific consensus, and 43 percent believe that science has not yet come to a clear conclusion on the cause of global warming.
Reflection: Over the past couple decades, melting of ice caps and increased temperatures have occurred, so many people believe that the Earth is warming. Some agree with climate scientists that global warming is caused by human activities while some are unsure of the cause and think that science has not revealed a clear reason for why global warming is occurring. I believe that human activity (emitting fossil fuels) does strongly contribute to the possibility of global warming. There may be other less significant factors, but this is probably the most significant one, and cutting back on this would likely reduce global warming.
Source: International Herald Tribune
Reflection: Over the past couple decades, melting of ice caps and increased temperatures have occurred, so many people believe that the Earth is warming. Some agree with climate scientists that global warming is caused by human activities while some are unsure of the cause and think that science has not revealed a clear reason for why global warming is occurring. I believe that human activity (emitting fossil fuels) does strongly contribute to the possibility of global warming. There may be other less significant factors, but this is probably the most significant one, and cutting back on this would likely reduce global warming.
Source: International Herald Tribune