Published on EGEE 401: Energy in a Changing World (https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee401)

Home > EGEE 401 > Unit 2, Lesson 4 > Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse Gases

Differences between 1990 USDA hardiness zones and 2006
Figure 4.2: Differences between 1990 and 2015 USDA hardiness Zones.
Credit: Arbor Day Foundation: Hardiness Zones: Map Change [1] (click on credit link to access larger view of map)

Plant Hardiness Zone Maps (PHZM) are the standard used by gardeners and growers to determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree F zones. For example, the lowest average temperature in one zone may be -50 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit, while the minimum average temperature in another may be +30 to +40 degrees Fahrenheit. These zones shift as local temperatures (and average annual minimums) rise.

Reading Assignment

Visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website for Climate Change [2].

Summer 2017 note to class...

You will see the chilling words, "We are currently updating our website to reflect EPA's priorities under the leadership of President Trump and Administrator Pruitt" in place of the climate change resources formally available. For purposes of this course, please use the link given to access the archived "January 19 snapshot" of the EPA Climate Change resources, from the last administration.

For more info, you may wish to read, "The EPA climate website taked down for review was accurate, scientists say [3]" (Washington Post, May 4, 2017)

  • Under "Why is the climate changing?" open and read the "Basic Information" page. Notice the "Glossary" in left menu on this page. This is a recommended resource for understanding Climate Change Terms.
  • Scroll down and in the "Learn More" box, select "Frequently Asked Questions." Review all.
  • Select "Impacts" (in menu on left side). Explore the impacts of climate change "by region" for your area. (Not required, but I recommend exploring "by state" too, very interesting.)
  • Also under "Impacts," Explore the impacts of climate change "by sector." Click through and scan each.
    • Agriculture
    • Coasts
    • Ecosystems
    • Energy
    • Forests
    • Human Health
    • Society
    • Transportation
    • Water Resources

Reading Assignment

Access the EPA Report, Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990 - 2012 (APRIL 2016) [4] Scan down the page to Full Report and related links. Read the Executive Summary (or scan closely, especially the first 16 pages. More, if you're interested and have time!)

Not required, but here is another EPA resource you may find of interest and helpful: Overview of Greenhouse Gases [5]

Interactive Assignment

Visit The Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego site, The Keeling Curve [6] and explore. Pay special attention to different data views.

 


Source URL: https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee401/content/p4_p3.html

Links
[1] http://www.arborday.org/media/map_change.cfm
[2] http://epa.gov/climatechange/index.html
[3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/05/04/the-epa-is-reviewing-its-climate-change-website-these-scientists-say-it-was-already-accurate/?utm_term=.45fd2f3b56da
[4] https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/us-greenhouse-gas-inventory-report-1990-2014
[5] https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases
[6] http://keelingcurve.ucsd.edu/