Solar Energy In Colorado: A Case Study

These are called warming, or cooling periods. Currently earth is in a warming period, it’s natural. We have had 5 warming periods already and they go way back in time. So far the one we are in right now, is the only one that has involved humans. The evidence in graphs can prove that there has only been one warming period with humans.Our earth didn’t just start changing it’s climate.Climate change has been happening for millions, even billions, of years. It’s not important to us, we shouldn’t be worrying. Even scientists know this, “The world's climate has been changing for the past 20,000 year.” It’s most likely, been happening for even longer than this time. We aren’t the only things that contribute to climate change, theres tons of other things that emit carbon and other gases into the atmosphere..“The change in the orbit affects the heating of the earth... This can last from 10,000 to 100,000 years.” The reason it’s changing the heating is because earths orbit is usually in a circle, but it sometimes changes to an oval like orbit. When the orbit is “Oval like,” it’s closer to the sun. Therefore the earth is heated more, in some spots, when it’s in this orbit. These are some of the simplest reasons to prove my point, but there are plenty out there, look for

The United States is the second largest producer of greenhouse gases in the world, and yet is doing very little to fix this startling statistic (Dennis). The US’ reliance upon outdated energy sources continues to harm both the environment and the economy by producing millions of tonnes of pollution every year and costing the government billions of dollars (“Fact Sheet: Clean Power Plan”). Fossil fuels have been the main energy sources in America since the industrial revolution, and it is time to make a change. Renewable energy is energy harnessed from sources like the sun, wind, or water, and has little to no negative effects on the environment (“Renewable Energy Technology Basics”). The United States needs to integrate and increase the use of these types of energy across the country, as well as implement positive environmental policies, to prevent further pollution of the earth and combat the effects of climate change.

The increased temperatures are part of a natural cycle that the earth goes through. These cycles include both warming and cooling periods. The most recent warming period was approximately 1000 years ago known as the “Medieval Climate Optimum” (Robinson, Robinson, & Soon, 2008). During the Medieval Climate Optimum the average temperature was much warmer than what is now. 1000 years ago they didn’t burn hydrocarbons like we do now, and the temperatures then were warmer than they are now. 200 - 500 years ago the earth went through a cooling period known as a “Little Ice Age” (Robinson, Robinson, & Soon, 2008). We are currently recovering from that cooling period. During the Little Ice Age temperatures dropped well below average. However, a study of more recent history temperatures can also show that the climates are cyclic and not the result of human activities.

Global warmth starts with sunlight. The earth tries to absorb the largest amount of sunshine. “Temperatures are certain to go up further. But why should we worry about a seemingly small increase in temperature? It turns out that the global average temperature is quite stable over long periods of time, and small changes in that temperature correspond to enormous changes in the environment” (Riebeek. 2). This phenomenon has led to an unprecedented rise in

Recently, there has been a warmer climate change, causing earth to get warmer, as well as negatively affecting earth, animals, and humans. Since 1880, the average temperature of earth has risen about 0.8 degrees celsius, which is a drastic change, even though it may not seem like much. Also, there has recently been a large amount of greenhouse gases being released, which is a large cause of why earth is getting warmer. Many consequences come with this change in climate. The fast-changing climate on earth has caused countless consequences that could permanently affect the earth.

A report submitted to the Colorado Energy Office, titled “The Colorado Climate Change Vulnerability Study” presents key vulnerabilities the state is faced with due to climate change. The report highlights many areas, but it offers insight into negative effects from climate variability and how to adapt to them. Since the agricultural sector plays such a critical role in Colorado’s economy, its vulnerabilities are detailed at length. The report splits

Carbon dioxide is accumulating rapidly in the atmosphere, it is extending geographically as much as possible, and it is extremely expensive to fix, not to mention if it worsens. In Goodland’s research, the year 1990 was the warmest year, on record in more than a century, closely followed by the rest of the years of the 90’s. Since Goodland’s essay was written, 2016 was the warmest year ever recorded, followed closely by 2015 and 2014, according to the NOAA. The increase in climate is especially alarming because in the last 10,000 years, temperature did not change more than 2 to 4 degrees and it is currently steadily increasing at least .25 degrees every 10 years! Even though scientists all over the world disagree on the rate at which the world is warming they all agree on one thing: the world, is in fact, warming.

In the past 130 years, the average temperature increased by 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit, with more than half of its increased in the past 35 years.( Science for a healthy planet and safe world). In 2001 to 2010 it was the warmest decade since 1880. However this was the year when enough temperature records became able to calculate a global average. However it shows that average global temperature are likely to increase by 3.1 to 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit by end of the century depending on how much carbon is released.( Climate hot map). In the past 40 years it has been the warmer than average. The hottest year recorded. The other 12 hottest years recorded have all occurred since1998. ( Science for a healthy planet and safe world).

Colorado is famous for being rich in natural resources. From the treasured gold and silver that helped incorporate the state into the Union, to the great Colorado River that provides millions of people throughout the west with water everyday. Yet, some of the most impactful contributors to the history and culture have been the resources of coal, oil, gas and as other "energy" supplies. These energy resources have provided jobs along with wealth in abundance across the state in classic boom and bust fashion. Colorado’s coal, oil and gas industries have also fueled controversial topics, including coke mining and hydraulic fracking. Today the switch to sustainable measures taking place in Colorado, such as solar and wind power, continue to shape history and culture. The steps provide constructive jobs, advocate for energy efficiency and produce a positive model to inspire as well as guide other states into a environmentally conscious world.

The authors worn that Earth’s temperature is exponentially rising since early 20 century. The lecturer, also, insists this drastically crisis of planet earth.

In this current time period, our planetary temperatures have been far warmer than any record has shown in the past two thousand years. “However, evidence also suggests that some places were very much cooler than today including the tropical pacific. When the warm places are averaged out with the cool

The Ice (snow) in the Arctic is melting faster than usual. Sea levels are raising Increased heat waves.

The past century earths average temp has been rising faster than any time in the past 10,000 years and much of that change is due to humans

For over a hundred years, scientists have been carefully gathering and verifying data on the earth's temperature. The latest data reveals some striking trends:All 10 of the warmest years on record have occurred in the last 15 years The 1990's have already been warmer than the 1980's- the warmest decade on record The global average surface temperature has risen 0.5 degrees (site source)For the first time ever, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the authoritative international body charged with studying this issue, concluded that the observed increase in global average temperature over the last century "is

Earth is getting hotter. Almost every scientist agrees with this consensus. In fact with the dozen climate models in use today, almost all predict average temperature increases of about 3-11 degrees by the end of the century. This doesn’t seem too bad though, but keep in mind that it only took a drop of 10 degrees to encase much of North America in mile deep glaciers during the ice age(Doughton). Earth heating up can result in many different national calamities. One big disaster that can somewhat correlate with rising temperatures is wildfires. They match up with rising climates for 2