Grant Noble

March 9, 2010

First Draft

Global Warming and Hurricanes.

I argue that global warming causes a rise in water temperature, and thus affects the strength of hurricanes, which in turn is hurting both the economy and wildlife in the devastated area. As global temperatures go up, so does the SST, “sea surface temperatures”. When the SST goes up the strength and intensity of storms goes up, and when the intensity goes up Hurricanes damage the economy and wildlife.

In the past, Sea Surface Temperatures, “SST “have always been going up and down, either due to the seasons, or the co2 levels in the atmosphere. In the last 40 years however there has been an increase in SST, from 1970 to present we have undergone a 1-degree temperature change. A raise in SST affects everything from the bleaching to coral reefs, to larger storm, and this is due to human’s impact on the earth, and our CO2 inputs into the atmosphere.

Global warming is caused when CO2 or other green house gasses are put into the atmosphere through combustion. When the suns rays hit the earth, some of the rays bounce off while others hit the planet. The rays that do hit the planet bounce off the earth hit the atmosphere and bounce back, and escape, making the planet warm and inhabitable. If we didn’t have an atmosphere, it would be like the moon, very hot during the day, and freezing at night. The problems with these gasses are, they are not letting the ray’s escape as much. The rays are being trapped on earth for a longer period of time, and are overheating the earth. The main way green house gasses are produced is through combustion. Everything on earth contains carbon, and when something is burned that carbon is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Some of the main contributors to carbon dioxide are your cars, and your electricity, through the burning of coal, and petroleum.

As SST go up, so does the intensity of storms. We have graphs that prove all the way back to 1850 that, as SST go up so does the number of named storms. “A storm large enough to be named”

This is because of the way hurricanes are created. A Hurricane is caused when ocean temperatures reach 80 degrees, and the ocean water starts to evaporate rapidly. The higher the temperature the more water is going to be evaporated. The hot air rises while the colder air is condensed into clouds. As more and more water is sucked up, the clouds begin to spin, and create wind. That is why hurricanes are normally found over tropical oceans where the water temperature is warm enough for it to evaporate. While storm amounts are not growing all over the world, the North Atlantic shows a drastic increase in tropical storms and hurricanes. In the last 35 years the number of category 4 and 5 hurricanes have almost doubled along with an increase in wind speed and size.

1945-1955 1995-2005

#Named storms 115 165

# Hurricanes 74 112

# Category 4+5 19 28

Scientist predict that the number of level 4 and 5 hurricanes will double, corresponding to a 60 percent increase in damages along the coast line.

When a hurricane makes landfall it brings death and destruction along with it. With a hurricane come strong winds, storm surge, and flooding, all of which create damages to property. At a category one level a hurricane will do as little damage as damaging tree’s and shrubbery, but as storm levels increase so does the damage it carries with it. At a category five level, storms will create extensive damage to homes, blow away small buildings, and flood anything less than 15 feet from sea level. This involves extensive damages from flooding and from house close to the ocean. Already the average cost of hurricanes a year is estimated at 1-3 billion dollars in damages, just imagine what would happen to the economy if we had a category 4 or 5 every year. Hurricane Katrina, cost the United States 110 billion dollars, and Hurricane Andrew cost the U.S. 28 billion. If that amount were to double the economy would crumble.

Not only do larger hurricanes mean more damage to infrastructure, but it also takes away from jobs. After Hurricane Katrina unemployment went from 5.8 percent to 11. 5 percent, nearly 400,000 jobs were lost, and when so many people are job less, there is no money circulating.

Hurricanes both negatively effect humans, and sea life. When a hurricane comes through, especially a large one, they destroy coral reefs. Many coral reefs, such as ones inhabited with Elkhorn coral, were destroyed, the branches would snap off, hurting fish, and stirring up sediment. Hurricanes destroy biodiversity among coral, because it makes only the stronger coral survive. Hurricanes have, in some places, totally transformed the layout of the reef. They have created slower growing dome shaped corals that can withstand the constant pummeling of the waves. When the coral is destroyed, fish lose an area to feed and breed, and the biodiversity of fish in that area die off.

Even though hurricanes hurt coral reefs, they have positive roles as well. NASA, has proven that hurricanes help create plankton blooms, in what else would be a dessert of an ocean. When a hurricane goes over an area of water it sucks phytoplankton “plant plankton” from deeper waters to the surface of the water, creating a plankton boom. This once dormant plankton, or “Marine Snow” reacts with the sunlight and produces chlorophyll. “Chlorophyll is what makes phytoplankton photosensitize” The hurricane is creating an upwelling and is producing nutrients to help feed fish, and recycles old water, and reduces CO2 in the atmosphere.

From the research I have done 2120 does not seem like a very friendly place to live, especially on the east coast. With the amount of category 4 and 5 hurricanes predicted to double, and the economy the way it is, this is sounding like something out of the movies. Thankfully these are only predictions; there is no telling what is to happen in the future. The saying holds true though, it is better to be safe than sorry. If we don’t look towards a renewable future, CO2 levels will continue to rise along with SST, we are the future, and we have the power to change it.

One of the ways we can lower our CO2 emissions is through riding our bikes. As I said previously CO2 is caused through combustion, and cars being run on petroleum cause a lot of CO2. Just biking 4 miles saves 15 pounds of pollutants from being put into the atmosphere. Another way is to cut down on CO2 emissions, is to cut down on electricity. Coal burning power plants make up for roughly 52% of the U.S.’s electrical needs, and produce harmful chemicals such as CO2, sulfur oxides, and mercury. All in all it is up to us to make the changes necessary, to change the world.

Works Cited

"About HRD." DOC/NOAA/OAR/AOML: Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. Web.

. "Access : Meteorology: Are There Trends in Hurricane Destruction? : Nature." Nature Publishing Group : Science Journals, Jobs, and Information. 22 Dec. 2005. Web..

BORENSTEIN, SETH. "Global Warming To Bring Stronger Hurricanes, Scientists Predict." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Web.

"Global Warming Will Bring Violent Storms And Tornadoes, NASA Predicts." Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. 31 Aug. 2007. Web.

Holland, G. J. Mixing Politics and Science in Testing the Hypothesis That Greenhouse Warming Is Causing a Global Increase in Hurricane Intensity. Web. Aug. 2006.

Knutson/Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory/NOAA, Thomas R. "Global Warming and Hurricanes." 26 Jan. 2010. Web.

Changes in Tropical Cyclone Number, Duration, and Intensity in a Warming Environment -- Webster et al. 309 (5742): 1844 -- Science." Science/AAAS | Scientific research, news and career information. Web. 26 Feb. 2010.

Mozer, David. "60 Benefits of Bike Commuting & Recreational Bicycling." International Bicycle Fund: Promoting Bicycle Transport and Economic Development and Cultural Understanding Worldwide. Web.

"Roundup Coal-Fired Power Plant." Montana River Action - Home Page. Web.

From the research I have found it seems like the amount of storms, and the intensity of the storms is increasing. Global warming is heating up water in the tropics, and is making that water evaporate at an alarming rate. This raise in SST “ Sea Surface Temperature” seems to correlate with a raise in the amount of hurricanes. A hurricane is caused when water starts to evaporate rapidly; the hot air rises while the colder air is condensed into clouds. As more and more water is sucked up, the clouds begin to spin, and create wind. That is why hurricanes are normally found over tropical oceans where the water temperature is around 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

While storms amounts are not growing all over the world the North Atlantic shows a drastic increase in tropical storms and hurricanes. In the last 35 years the number of category 4 and 5 hurricanes have almost doubled along with an increase in wind speed and size.

Works Cited

"Changes in Tropical Cyclone Number, Duration, and Intensity in a Warming Environment -- Webster et al. 309 (5742): 1844 -- Science." Science/AAAS | Scientific research, news and career information. Web. 26 Feb. 2010. .

Coral is a very fragile species, and are essential to life in the ocean and bio diversity in the ocean. One of the main things effecting the coral population is global warming. When coral gets too warm it becomes bleached and dies. It only takes a 1-degree Celsius change in summer for coral to become bleached because they are already so close to there lethal limits. UV radiation also affects the coral, and is increased because of the earths thinning ozone layer, and may also lead to bleaching. Bleaching of coral is happening world wide and is destroying our natural underwater forests.

Springer Berlin / Heidelberg. "Response of Hawaiian and other Indo-Pacific reef corals to elevated temperature." Springer links. Web.

Web.

I was really amazed at the shear number of watts the world uses, and how we as humans power it. It was kind of scarring me to think that we would have to make a power-plant everyday for 50 years to have enough power to power the world, and that almost ever water way thinkable has a damn on it. It was crazy to think all the things we already have in place like wind energy, and geothermal energy, and that they don't really do that much in the grand scheme of things. it was really interesting to know the life span of all the fossil fuels and to know that we could have nearlly 2000 years left before we ran out of coal. It was nice to see that this man has hope. With all that information daunting him everyday, it is amazing to think that he can fix it. I like his solar paint idea, and i think this is a great guy to do it. He understands the problems and he understands what's needed. For the paint to be cheap, and have a zero co2 impact. All in all a very interesting video, and taught me a lot about what might happen in the distant future, and what i can do to help

Grant Noble

Effects of Deforestation on Global Warming

One of the reasons why deforestation effects global warming is because trees are sinks. In a tree’s lifetime it is sucking in all of the carbon, and pollution from the air and is transferring it into the ground, taking away carbon from the atmosphere. When a tree is cut down, it is a double whammy; it is takes away a sink, and in turn creating a source. What was once taking away carbon dioxide is now being burned and readmitted in to the atmosphere as green house gasses. Deforestation alone contributes nearly 22% of human caused carbon admissions, and “the burning of forests releases about two billion metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year.” The rainforests are important, because they are the world’s lungs, they convert CO2 into oxygen, and are responsible for 20 percent of the world’s oxygen. The more we cut down trees the less oxygen is produced, and the more CO2 we have in the atmosphere. “According to FAO figures, some 13 million ha of forests worldwide are lost every year, almost entirely in the tropics.” For you to understand the amount of pollution I am talking about I found this quote from “http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/deforestation-the-hidden-cause-of-global-warming-448734.html” “In the next 24 hours, deforestation will release as much CO2 into the atmosphere as 8 million people flying from London to New York.” Now that’s a lot of CO2.

Even though it seems like deforestation is a never-ending problem, it is a problem that can be solved with little to no technology. All that needs to be done is have political will, enforcement, and incentives. People just need to understand that the earth is more important then the money in there pocket.

Works Cited

"Deforestation causes global warming." FAO: FAO Home. Web. 11 Feb. 2010. .

"Deforestation: The hidden cause of global warming - Climate Change, Environment - The Independent." The Independent | News | UK and Worldwide News | Newspaper. Web. 10 Feb. 2010. .

Ecomii - The credible, comprehensive resource for a healthier more sustainable lifestyle. Web. 11 Feb. 2010. .

"Impact of Deforestation - Atmospheric Role of Forests." Rainforests. Web. 11 Feb. 2010. .

How to grow carrots

Carrots grow well in 65-degree soil

A ph of 6.5 is the best soil, and the carrots cannot have too much nitrogen or they will grow multiple roots.

The soil has to be very loose or it would interfere with the roots.

They are a cool climate plant and should be planted in the winter time.

Dig out about a foot by a foot of soil and add compost for seeds

speed germination, which can take 10 days or more, by soaking seeds in water for 6 hours before you plant them. “ I don’t really understand what they mean by this”

If the soil is cold, lightly dust the seed with soil.

If the soil is warm burry down ¼-1/2 inch.

Trim seedling leafs they don’t get tangled.

They need a lot of space to grow

1st source

I am doing my project on deforestation, and I learned that almost all off the united states and 75% of Canada were forests, and now there are barely any left. Almost half of all the forests in the world are gone, and another 16 hectors disappears every year. Deforestation is ruining the forest, and is also raising the Co2 levels in the atmosphere. Deforestation ruins the forest now, and for generations to come, the forests never grow the same again. They grow back with different species, and typically grow smaller. The cutting of trees also leads to less Biodiversity. “Many Different Species” The cutting of trees destroys animal’s homes, and many rain forest dwellers have very sensitive habitat and can not handle change. Biodiversity is important for the circle of life, because if one spices of animal dies, there will be many more just like it to take its place. If there are very few species, if one animal goes extinct, it may wipeout a whole other species.

2nd source

The rainforest not only keeps plants and animals alive, but also humans. The indigenous people who live in the forest need the forest to survive. They use the forest as their homes, and also use the forest for food, and water. These people take good care of the forest because it is so important to their survival. These people understand how to utilize the forest with out killing it, and what cycles work best for harvesting. Some people don’t preserve the forest, and just use the forest as a means to make money. These people cut down trees for rare woods, Plant crops, and raise cattle on the land. They don’t understand that the rainforest is a delicate place. When farmers are planting crop they use only one type of crop. By doing this they are sucking all of the nutrients out of the soil. After about two years all of the nutrients are gone and the farmers move on to another patch of rain forest to destroy. People also use the forest for cattle and plant savanna grass for the cows to eat. Once the grass is eaten and all the nuitrents are taken out, the ground is so compacted by the cows that it is hard for life to live there any more.

http://www.earlham.edu/~pols/17Fall96/inneske/effects.HTM

3rd source

Even recently the rain forest are being cut down. From 2000 to 2006 150,000 square kilometers were deforested, one of the main contributors being beef. From 1990 to 2001 Europe’s beef imports from Brazil rose 34%, and created a first time growth in Brazilian cattle production. With ever growing cow population, soybean crops, and illegal logging operations the rain forest it being damaged.

http://www.mongabay.com/brazil.html

Grant Noble

Environmental Science

1/22/10

Deforestation

I am doing my project on deforestation, and I learned that almost all off the United States and 75% of Canada were forests, and now there are barely any left. Almost half of all the forests in the world are gone, and what’s left is dropping fast. Deforestation is ruining the forest, and is also raising the Co2 levels in the atmosphere. Deforestation ruins the forest now, and for generations to come, the forests never grow the same again. They grow back with different species, and typically grow smaller. The cutting of trees also leads to less Biodiversity. “Many Different Species” The cutting of trees destroys animal’s homes, and many rain forest dwellers have very sensitive habitat and cannot handle change. Biodiversity is important for the circle of life, because if one spices of animal dies, there will be many more just like it to take its place. If there are very few species, if one animal goes extinct, it may wipeout a whole other species.

The rainforest not only keeps plants and animals alive, but also humans. The indigenous people who live in the forest need the forest to survive. They use the forest as their homes, and also use the forest for food, and water. These people take good care of the forest because it is so important to their survival. These people understand how to utilize the forest with out killing it, and what cycles work best for harvesting. Some people don’t preserve the forest, and just use the forest as a means to make money. These people cut down trees for rare woods, Plant crops, and raise cattle on the land. They don’t understand that the rainforest is a delicate place. When farmers are planting crop they use only one type of crop. By doing this they are sucking all of the nutrients out of the soil. After about two years all of the nutrients are gone and the farmers move on to another patch of rain forest to destroy. People also use the forest for cattle and plant savanna grass for the cows to eat. Once the grass is eaten and all the nutrients are taken out, it is hard for life to live there any more.

Even recently the rain forest is being cut down. From 2000 to 2006 150,000 square kilometers were deforested. One of the main contributors to this is beef. Cows have a hard time living in the forest; the farmers cut down the trees and allow the cattle to graze freely. From 1990 to 2001 Europe’s beef imports from Brazil rose 34%, and created a first time growth in Brazilian cattle production. This led to many more people getting into the cattle business, and clearing more land for cattle. With ever growing cow population the forests are struggling, and with soybean planting, and illegal logging, no one knows how long we can hold on to the rain forest.

Works Cited

"Deforestation in the Amazon." Tropical Rainforest Conservation - mongabay.com. Web. 22 Jan. 2010. .

"Deforestation." The Global Change Program at the University of Michigan. Web. 22 Jan. 2010. .

"Effects of Deforestation." Earlham College Richmond, Indiana. Web. 22 Jan. 2010. .