Where scientists and engineers share expertise and experiences with learners from around the world!

Is the global climate changing? Is the world getting warmer?
Yes. But let’s look more closely at Temperature Change History and what that means.

• How do we know what the temperature of the Earth was like thousands and millions of years ago?
  proxy data provides the clues!
• Read about the latest report on Global Warming from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

What is the "greenhouse effect"? The Greenhouse Gases are the reason for the extra warmth is that there are gases in the atmosphere that absorb energy before it is lost into space and then slowly release it back into the atmosphere. Explore an animation that shows how Carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbs energy radiated by the Earth and then releases it back into the atmosphere.

What is The Carbon Cycle? Carbon dioxide is constantly being removed from the atmosphere as part of the carbon cycle. If this did not happen, the world would heat up and become a lot like Venus. The mechanisms that take carbon out of the atmosphere are called " Carbon Sinks ." Carbon Dioxide (CO2) has been entering the atmosphere from many sources for millions of years. One of these sources—the burning of fossil fuels by humans—began with the Industrial Revolution. It is now a big source of carbon dioxide and is having a major effect on the balance of the carbon cycle.

CO2 Production—An International Perspective
On average, in 2002, a person in the United States used 10 times more energy than a person in China and over 25 times more than someone in India.

Stock and Flow
Stocks and flows play a key role in generating some of the most perplexing dynamics we encounter.
In this simulation, we see what happens when you change how fast water flows into a bathtub. When the water flows into the tub at a greater rate than it is flowing out, what happens?

What causes the Earth’s climate to change?
The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is closely related to global temperature.
Read more about CO2 and Temperature Change.

Feedback
Feedback shows up in many situations. It plays a significant role in the Earth’s climate system.
Read more about the Feedback effect.

What causes the Earth’s climate to change?
Climate change is complex—there are many dynamics involved. A major factor may be the relationship between the Earth and the Sun.

The Impact of Global Warming
Over the past 425,000 years the earth has gone through four ice ages punctuated by brief warm periods. We are currently in such a warm period. . The consensus among climatologists is that there will be a continued increase during the rest of this century. OK. But is this a problem?

Tragedy of the Commons
When doing what's good for you isn't good for you.
Picture yourself in a rural setting with villages surrounded by grassland open to herdsmen to graze their animals. This “commons” is available to all without restriction. click here to learn more.

The Climate Challenge: Our Choices
The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is increasing. The world is getting warmer. If this continues, the ecosystems and economies of the world will be dramatically altered. What can be done about this?

- Energy Efficiency

Alternatives to Fossil Fuels
Ever-increasing worldwide use of oil, gas, and coal—fossil fuel—leads to more carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, which in turn causes global warming. In addition, fossil fuel is a limited resource. The next step: to develop the other energy sourcesa, ones that produce little or no CO2 emissions.

Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) capture and storage has the potential for significantly reducing the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere. The technologies needed to separate CO2 from other gases and to sequester CO2 are known.
Read more about Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage

Weyburn Oil Field—Enhanced Oil Recovery
The Weyburn oil field, operated by EnCana, Canada’s largest oil company, is 130 km (80 mi) southeast of the city of Regina in Saskatchewan province. The Weyburn oil field was discovered in 1954 with an estimated 1.4 billion barrels of original oil in place.
Read more about Weyburn Oil Field

Sleipner—A CO2 Capture-and-Storage Project
The Sleipner field is in the North Sea, about 250 km (155 mi) west of Stavanger, Norway. It is operated by Statoil, Norway’s largest oil company. The Sleipner field produces natural gas and condensate (light oil) from the Heimdal sandstones, which are about 2,500 m (8,200 ft) below sea level.
Read more about the Sleipner Project.

Related Links

• Climatic Research Unit of the University of East Anglia.


• The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.
• SEED Related Activities and Links.