Topic #2 - The Earth's Changing Climate

In class we had a quick look at how human activities might be changing climate.  This section from the textbook discusses some of the large changes in the earth's climate that were not caused by man.  You will also learn more about some of the techniques that scientists have used to determine past climates.

You can earn up to 9 pts on the content portion of your report and up to 6 pts for writing quality.

Content points will be awarded approximately as follows:
Up to 2.5 pts for listing and discussing some of the techniques scientists have used to determine past climates.

Up to 2.5 pts for a discussion of climates in the fairly distant past.  The earth is currently in an ice age, when did it begin?  For the last 1 or 2 million years the climate has alternated between glacial and interglacial periods.  What significant climatic events have there been in the past 20,000 years or so (i.e. mid-Holocene climatic optimum, Younger-Dryas event)? 

Up to 2.5 pts for a description of some of the climatic events that have occurred in the past 1000 years (Medieval warm period, Little Ice Age, Year without a summer)

Up to 1.5 pts for some discussion of the warming trend that has taken place in the past 100 years or so. 

Up to 1 pt for an explanation of the thermohaline (conveyor belt) ocean circulation and its effect on climate.

To maximize your chances of earning a high writing quality grade:
Explain the material in your own words - your report should be your understanding and explanation of the material.  Avoid generalites, try to  should include specific details and examples from the reading section.  Your report should be well organized and the separate sections or paragraphs of your paper should blend together into one seamless coherent report.  Your report should be nearly free of misspelled words and grammatical errors.