The document discusses whether the world is getting warmer due to human-caused climate change. It first provides background on Earth's climate history, noting that the planet formed over 4.6 billion years ago as a hot world with liquid water present by 4.3 billion years ago. Life emerged around 3.8 billion years ago and photosynthesis began between 3.5-2.5 billion years ago, reducing greenhouse gases and causing the Earth to cycle between cooling and warming periods. In more recent history, the Earth began experiencing cycles of glacial and interglacial periods around 3 million years ago.
The document discusses whether the world is getting warmer due to human-caused climate change. It first provides background on Earth's climate history, noting that the planet formed over 4.6 billion years ago as a hot world with liquid water present by 4.3 billion years ago. Life emerged around 3.8 billion years ago and photosynthesis began between 3.5-2.5 billion years ago, reducing greenhouse gases and causing the Earth to cycle between cooling and warming periods. In more recent history, the Earth began experiencing cycles of glacial and interglacial periods around 3 million years ago.
The document discusses whether the world is getting warmer due to human-caused climate change. It first provides background on Earth's climate history, noting that the planet formed over 4.6 billion years ago as a hot world with liquid water present by 4.3 billion years ago. Life emerged around 3.8 billion years ago and photosynthesis began between 3.5-2.5 billion years ago, reducing greenhouse gases and causing the Earth to cycle between cooling and warming periods. In more recent history, the Earth began experiencing cycles of glacial and interglacial periods around 3 million years ago.
• If so, are the actions of mankind to blame for earth’s temperature increases? • What can/should be done about these issues? History of Earth’s Climate • Earth formed ~4.6 billion years ago • Originally very hot • Sun’s energy output only 70% of present • Liquid water present ~4.3 billion years History of Earth’s Climate • Life appeared ~3.8 billion years ago • Photosynthesis began 3.5-2.5 billion years ago – Produced oxygen and removed carbon dioxide and methane (greenhouse gases) – Earth went through periods of cooling (“Snowball Earth”) and warming • Earth began cycles of glacial and interglacial periods ~3 million years ago Earth’s Temperature Solar Sun Energy