Question 1

Understanding Earth’s energy balance is essential to understanding the issue of global warming. For example, the solar energy striking Earth’s surface averages 168 watts per square meter(W/m2), but the energy leaving Earth’s surface averages 390 W/m2. Why isn’t Earth cooling rapidly?

Although the amount of energy leaving the Earth’s surface is about double that striking the Earth surface, the Earth does not cool rapidly because the surface absorbs a large amount og energy from the atmosphere due to the greenhouse effect.

Question 2

Decide and explain where the statement (“This winter has lowered my concerns about global warming…”) is correct or incorrect.

Incorrect. Global warming causes adverse climate changes, not just warmer global temperature. Warmer temperatures in one region cause colder winters in another. For example, a hotter, less icy Arctic causes creates a lump of warm air in the lower atmosphere that forces the jet stream to become wavier, dipping south in some places. Thus, the harsh winter as depicted by the thick layer of snow in the comic is a consequence of global warming and should be a concern.

Question 3

One of the first radar devices developed during World War 2 used microwave radiation of a wavelength that triggered the rotation of a water molecules. Why was the design not successful?

The design is not successful because the absorption of microwave radiation by water in the atmosphere interferes with the detection of the intended objects.

Question 4

Now that you have studied air quality (Unit 1), stratospheric ozone depletion (Unit 2), and global warming (Unit 3), which do you believe poses the most serious problem for you in the short run, and which poses the most serious problem in the long run?

I believe that air quality poses the most serious problem in the short run as the effects of bad air quality requires immediate attention. For example, in recent years when PSI levels rise to unhealthy levels in Singapore, people with asthma needed medical attention. Also, school and flights have to be cancelled and delayed. Thus, due to the adverse immediate effects, this is the most serious problem in the short run for me.

In the long run, the most serious problem is global warming. Since the adverse effects of global warming like rising sea levels and extreme climate change are delayed, there is a lack of awareness and sense of urgency in people. This causes people to only take action to curb this problem after the dire consequence are too late to be salvaged. This will inevitably cause the effects to multiply in the long run, leading to catastrophic effects.