2 Global Warming

1. Patagonia is sandwiched between the mountains of which two countries?

Chile and Argentina

2. How long is the Patagonian ice field and where does it extend to?

7,000 square miles long, it extends to the Pacific Ocean

3. Within the last seven years, how much glacial mass has been lost in Patagonia?

10 percent of glacial mass has been lost in Patagonia

4. In Montana, there were more than 150 glaciers, but now how many are there?

There are fewer than 40

5. What crucial information does ice tell scientists?

Ice tells scientists that global warming is occurring at the moment. Ice also tells scientists when global warming has occurred in the past.

6. How far back does the ice’s “logbook” go?

Ice’s “logbook” goes back hundreds of thousands of years.

7. Where is the world’s second largest concentration of ice?

The world’s second-largest concentration of ice is Greenland.

8. In Antarctica, how many years back does the ice scientists have go back to?

In Antarctica, ice scientists have to go back more than 600,000 years.

9. In the last 100 years the earth’s temperature has climbed how much?

In the last 100 years, the earth’s temperature has climbed one degree.

10. In 2006 in Sydney, Australia temperatures topped at how high?

In 2006 in Sydney, Australia, temperatures have topped as high as 111 degrees

11. In Chicago in 1995, temperatures over 100 degrees killed how many people in 5 days?

In Chicago in 1995, temperatures over 100 degrees killed 739 people in 5 days.

12. Of the 21 hottest years on record, how many have occurred since 1980?

Of the hottest 21 years on record, 20 have occurred since 1980.

13. What is trapped and preserved in ice that many scientists measure?

Atmospheric gasses are trapped and preserved in ice and measured by scientists.

14. Which gas follows the rise in temperature to perfection?

Carbon dioxide follows the rise in temperature to perfection.

15. The levels and concentration of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere today are higher than has been seen in how many years?

The levels and concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today are higher than it has been seen in the past 600,000 years.

16. What does carbon dioxide help do to earth?

Carbon dioxide helps keep the earth warm.

17. Without carbon dioxide how cold would earth be?

Without carbon dioxide, the earth would be 60 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than it is now.

18. What is the Amazon often referred to as?

The amazon is often referred to as a rainforest.

19. Oil, coal and natural gas make excellent what?

Oil, coal, and natural gas make excellent fuels.

20.  Polar bear population has declined from 1200 in the 1980s to how many today?

Polar bear population has declined from 1200 in the 1980s to under 950 today.

21. The average weight of these polar bears has decreased since the 1980s by how much?

The average weight of these polar bears has decreased since the 1980s by 15%.

22. In 1979 how much area did sea ice cover?

In 1979 almost 1.7 billion acres were covered in sea ice.

23. What percent of the earth’s surface is covered by ice?

About 10% of earth’s surface is covered by ice.

24. Where are the largest concentrations of ice on the planet? What percentage of the earth’s fresh water is locked up in these two places?

The largest concentration of ice on the planet is Greenland and Antarctice. More than 75% of earth’s freshwater is locked up in these two places.

25. How high above sea level is the Pacific island of Tuvalu?

The Pacific island of Tuvalu is about 16 feet above sea level.

26. Since the 1840s records show that sea levels have risen how much?

Since the 1840s, records show that sea levels have risen by 6 inches.

27. In the last 100 years the oceans have risen how much?

In the last 100 years the oceans have risen by 4 to 10 inches.

28. When ocean temperatures warm what happens to the water?

When ocean temperatures warm, the water expands and takes up more space.

29. What is the projected rise of the sea level by the end of this century?

The projected rise of the sea level by the end of this century is 3 feet.

30. How much have the ocean temperatures risen? (hint: it’s similar to the air)

The ocean temperatures have risen by 1 degree.

31.  How many hurricanes were there in 2005?

There were 28 hurricanes in 2005.

32. What speeds were the winds of Hurricane Katrina?

The speed of the winds of Hurricane Katrina were 175 miles per hour.

33. What percentage of New Orleans flooded during Katrina?

80% of New Orleans flooded during Katrina.

34. How far out can the winds of a hurricane extend?

The winds of a hurricane can extend by 100 miles or more.

35. What was the temperature of the earth during the last ice age?

The temperature of the earth during the last ice age was 12 degrees Fahrenheit colder than it is today.

36. Can corral survive without algae?

Corral can’t survive without algae.

37. By the end of the century we could lose how many of the species on the planet?

By the end of the century, we could loose half of the species on the planet.

38. How many billion people live on our planet?

8 billion people.

39. More than how many people live in China?

More than a billion people live in China.

40. China is the second leading source of Greenhouse gas emissions. Who is the first?

China is the second leading source of Greenhouse gas emissions and the U.S. is the first.

41. The US makes up only  _______% of the earth’s population but it is responsible for ____% of the Carbon Dioxide released into the atmosphere.  

The US makes up only 5% of the earth’s population, but it is responsible for 25% of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.

42. Who has the highest hybrid electric bus fleet?

The highest hybrid electric bus fleet belongs to New York.

43. Ellis Island and the statue of liberty now run on electricity generated from what?

Ellis Island and the statue of liberty now runs on electricity generated from Wind Power.

44. What percentage of the steel in the “green” building of New York is made of recycled material?

80 percentage of the steel in the “green” buildings of New York is made of recycled material.

45. Using more recycled material means using less energy that emits more carbon.

46. The green building uses how much less electricity than other skyscrapers surrounding it?

The green building uses 25% less electricity than other skyscrapers surrounding it.

47. How much Carbon Dioxide do “The Smiths” produce every year?

“The Smiths” produce 50 tons of carbon dioxide every year

48. By 2025 China will produce how much carbon dioxide annually? 

By 2025 China will produce 6 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually.

49. Scientists believe we must cut carbon dioxide levels by 50% by the year 2050.