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Complete all the questions mentioned in the document and need detailed answers
Meteorology 12: Module 1 Activity
Submit electronically via Canvas (.doc, .docx, or .pdf file format).
Please show your work and cite any sources you use! You may work with others, but you still
MUST submit your own work, in your own words (no copying from a friend!)
Email or see me in office hours if you have questions.
1. (2pts): Monthly measurements of atmospheric CO2 concentration at Mauna Loa began in March
1958. The average CO2 concentration for that month was 315.71 ppm. In 2020, the March
monthly average value was 414.51 ppm.
a. Calculate the total increase in March concentration (in ppm) from 1958-2020 (62
years… hint, subtract the 1958 value from the 2020 value).
b. Also calculate the average increase (in ppm) per year (hint: take the answer to the
previous question, and divide by 62).
2. The figure below shows how the mean (average) annual global temperature (for both land and
ocean) has changed from 1880 to 2018. It shows temperature anomalies relative to the 30-year
average for 1951-1980. Positive annual global temperature anomalies indicate that year was warmer
than the 1951-1980 average, while negative annual global temperature anomalies indicate that year
was cooler than the 1951-1980 average. The original data (used to create the figure) can be accessed
here: http://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/graphs_v3/Fig.A2.txt. (Go to the website to help you answer
this question!) Use the annual mean data (2nd column of table) to help answer the following
questions.
a) (1pt) When did the warmest year on record occur? What was the approximate anomaly value?
b) (1pt) When did the next three warmest years occur? Give their respective anomaly values as
well.
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c) (1pt) When was the most recent year that the average annual global temperature was below the
average (the 0.0 value)?
d) (1pt): Calculate how much the global average temperature increased from 1977 to 2018 (41
years). Then convert this increase to °F (to do so, multiply the change in Celsius by 1.8… DO NOT
ADD 32).
e) (1pt): Now, the global average temperature increased by 1.26°C (2.27°F) from 1917 to 2018, for
a rate of 0.012˚C/yr (0.22˚F/yr)… What is the rate of warming between 1977 to 2008 (hint: take
your answer above and divide by 41 years)?
f) (1pt) Comment on the significance of your finding, comparing it to the overall 100 year
temperature increase (Hint: Compare the rate of warming over the past 41 years to the rate of
warming warming over the past 101 years and explain why the difference is a big deal).
3. (2pts): 3 of the 5 biggest snowstorms in New York City recorded history (going back to 1869)
have occurred in the past 10 years (http://www.weather2000.com/NY_Snowstorms.html). A friend
says that this proves that global warming is not real. In 4-6 sentences, respond to your friends’
comment (hint: think about the difference between weather and climate)… do some research if you
need to (but cite your sources).
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Meteorology 12: Module #2 Activity
Submit electronically via Canvas (.doc, .docx, or .pdf file format).
Please show your work and cite any sources you use!
Email or see me in office hours if you have questions.
1. (10pts) Figure 1 below is a graph of Air Temperature (differences from 20th century average)
and Carbon Dioxide concentrations for the last 400,000 years. This was the same figure shown
in Lecture 5.
a. (3pts) When (how long ago) were the maximums (peaks) and minimums of temperature?
(Note: There are MORE than just one of each!!!)
b. (3pts) When (how long ago) were the maximums (peaks) and minimums of Carbon
Dioxide? (Note: There are MORE than just one of each!!!)
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c. (2pts) Did changes from Cold Periods (minimums) to Warm Periods (maximums) happen
suddenly (Less than 10,000 years) or gradually (More than 10,000 years)?
d. (2pts) Is there a relationship between Air Temperature and Carbon Dioxide? If so, explain
what it is, and how that might serve as a “warning sign” for us today?
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