Assignment 2B for Group 5 - Communicating and Learning Online - Swinburne University Craig Barnsley Tami Jones Fiona Pidgeon

1. Global Warming
Craig Barnsley
Tami Jones
Fiona Pidgeon
Group 5 – Learning and Communicating Online

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
• Introduction
3
• Climate Change
5
• Melting Ice Glaciers
8
• Rising Ocean Temperatures
11
• Conclusion
14
• References
15
LEARN
HOW TO
HEALTHE
green
FOR THE FUTURE
Craig Barnsley
Tami Jones
Fiona Pidgeon
Group 5 - Learning and Communicating Online
WORLD

3. Introduction
This is a collaborative presentation using credible on-line resources and peer reviewed articles. The
research included has been applied to the learnings of Metzer (2007). Particular importance and
emphasis was placed on addressing the following research criteria; accuracy, authority, objectivity,
currency, and coverage or scope. Please refer to the concluding slides for a list of references and links
LEARN
HOW TO
HEALTHE
Collaboration through Online Learning [Image].
Retrieved from http://www.coachcarole.net/
Craig Barnsley
Tami Jones
Fiona Pidgeon
Group 5 - Learning and Communicating Online
WORLD

4. Introduction
In this presentation we will outline some of the elements of Global warming in particular; Climate Change,
Melting Ice Glaciers and Rising Ocean Temperatures. This will be assessed against a research criteria
focusing on five key themes; Fact vs Fiction, Cause and Effect, Supporting Evidence, Preventative
Actions and Resolution Outcomes….
Craig Barnsley - Fiona Pidgeon - Tami Jones
The video describes ‘How Global Warming Works’ in just under four minutes.
How Global Warming Works [Image & Video] Retrieved from http://www.howglobalwarmingworks.org/in-under-4minutes-ba.html.
LEARN
HOW TO
HEALTHE
green
FOR THE FUTURE
Craig Barnsley
Tami Jones
Fiona Pidgeon
Group 5 - Learning and Communicating Online
WORLD

5. Climate Change
Current CO2 Level [Image] Retrieved from
http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence)
Cause and Effect
Fact vs Fiction
Climate change is supported by many facts and a lot of
fiction.
Fact: Climate change is, as arguably agreed by
scientists, a direct result of human activity.
Fiction: CO2 gases are the main contributing factor
towards climate change. It is important to consider a
wide range of sources when understanding climate
change.
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FOR THE FUTURE
There are a variety of causes that contribute to
climate change but more significantly, it is the
gases produced by human activity as well as
water vapour production. The global average
temperature, since the late 19th century, has risen
0.85oC and has continued to do so since the
middle of the 20th century (since greenhouse
gases have increased).
Supporting Evidence
The evidence for climate change is
overwhelming. On average, the global
temperature has increased 0.6oC with the 12
warmest years on record occurring since 1998.
But also changing are the patterns in rainfall,
snow, droughts and storms. This in turn has also
had effects on plant and animal behaviour.
Craig Barnsley
Tami Jones
Fiona Pidgeon
Group 5 - Learning and Communicating Online
LEARN
HOW TO
HEALTHE
WORLD

6. Climate Change
Supporting Evidence
The evidence for climate change is overwhelming.
On average, the global temperature has increased
0.6oC with the 12 warmest years on record
occurring since 1998. But also changing are the
patterns in rainfall, snow, droughts and storms.
This in turn has also had effects on plant and
animal behaviour.
Preventative Action
In Australia, the Government has investigated
various preventative actions that can be
considered to minimalise further global warming.
The Government is looking at improved agricultural
and water management practices as well as
sustainable mining, manufacturing, architecture,
business and financial services and tourism.
green
FOR THE FUTURE
Global Surface Temperature and Carbon Dioxide [Image].
Retrieved from
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impact
s/science/global-thermometer-still-climbing.html
There also needs to be further concentration on
climate change measures for individuals and this will
come about as a result of further media campaigns.
Other ways include reducing emissions by using less,
using something else which is less harmful and also
looking at how we can capture and store those
emissions.
Craig Barnsley
Tami Jones
Fiona Pidgeon
Group 5 - Learning and Communicating Online
LEARN
HOW TO
HEALTHE
WORLD

7. Climate Change
Resolution Outcomes
At the 22nd Annual meeting of the
Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum, the Australian delegation wrote a draft resolution (3.1) for the
cooperation to face climate change.
This draft resolution calls upon all signatories to consider policymaking in the area of climate change as
well as move climate change to the forefront of their agendas and budgets. There is also a call to
implement innovative models of sustainable development.
"I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of
power! I hope we don't have to wait 'til oil and coal run out before
we tackle that."
Thomas Edison (1847–1931)
Edison, T [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.biography.com/people/thomas-edison-9284349
Craig Barnsley
Tami Jones
Fiona Pidgeon
Group 5 - Learning and Communicating Online
LEARN
HOW TO
HEALTHE
WORLD

8. Melting Ice Glaciers
Everywhere on Earth ice is changing. The famed
snows of Kilimanjaro have melted more than 80
percent since 1912. Glaciers in the Garhwal
Himalaya in India are retreating so fast that
researchers believe that most central and eastern
Himalayan glaciers could virtually disappear by
2035. Arctic sea ice has thinned significantly over
the past half century, and its extent has declined
by about 10 percent in the past 30 years. NASA's
repeated laser altimeter readings show the edges
of Greenland's ice sheet shrinking.
Spring ice break up in river [Image]. Retrieved from
https://ecogirlcosmoboy.wordpress.com/category/communicat
ion/science-communication/
As the Earth system warms due to rising levels of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, observations
show that land-based glaciers are melting fast in many
places around the world - in the United States, Europe,
South America, and Asia. Because of ice-albedo
feedback, as ice melts, albedo rises, producing further
warming and faster melting. Model predictions indicate
that the remaining large glaciers in Glacier National
Park will be gone by 2030.
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FOR THE FUTURE
Spring freshwater ice breakup in the Northern
Hemisphere now occurs nine days earlier than it
did 150 years ago, and autumn freeze-up ten
days later. Thawing permafrost has caused the
ground to subside more than 15 feet (4.6 meters)
in parts of Alaska. From the Arctic to Peru, from
Switzerland to the equatorial glaciers of Man Jaya
in Indonesia, massive ice fields, monstrous
glaciers, and sea ice are disappearing, fast.
Craig Barnsley
Tami Jones
Fiona Pidgeon
Group 5 - Learning and Communicating Online
LEARN
HOW TO
HEALTHE
WORLD

9. Melting Ice Glaciers
When temperatures rise and ice melts, more water
flows to the seas from glaciers and ice caps, and
ocean water warms and expands in volume. This
combination of effects has played the major role in
raising average global sea level between four and
eight inches (10 and 20 centimeters) in the past
hundred years, according to the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The Greenland, Alaskan and West Antarctic ice
sheets together hold about 25% of the fresh water
on the planet. The effects of the collapse of either
ice sheet would be huge. Once you lose one of
these ice sheets, there's no putting it back for
thousands of years, if ever. If they disintegrate, sea
level could rise nearly 20 metres, possibly in only
one decade. This would swamp most cities and
ports, as well much of the best agricultural land,
where over 6 billion people inhabit. Similarly the
western Antarctica’s mass is disappearing at about
240 cubic kilometres per year. Depletion of ozone
is adding to this problem for it has encouraged
hotter winds to flow across the Antarctic.
Melting point: Grey Glacier in Chile's Torres del
Paine National Park, part of the southern Patagonian
ice field, as seen from the International Space
Station in July 2007. Credit: NASA [Image].
Retrieved from
http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/news/meltingglaciers-raising-sea-levels-more-polar-ice-sheets/
LEARN
HOW TO
HEALTHE
Craig Barnsley
Tami Jones
Fiona Pidgeon
Group 5 - Learning and Communicating Online
WORLD

10. Rising Ocean Temperatures
Figure 1: Changing heat content of the global ocean, with respect to the mean of 1993 to 2008.
(2010). [Image] Retrieved from
http://www.nature.com.ezproxy.lib.swin.edu.au/nature/journal/v465/n7296/fig_tab/465304a_F1.html
Fact vs Fiction
Is global warming really causing the ocean
temperature to rise? There are many
inconsistencies in the data to support rising ocean
temperatures due to the enormous size of the
ocean, and the amount of naturally occurring
variability caused by whether phenomena.
“In spite of all the difficulties, Lyman et al are able
to demonstrate a robust warming of the globe
between 2003 and 2008” (Lyman & Good et al.,
2010). However this data is only measured to a
depth of 700 meters. A reappraisal of the messy
data on upper-ocean heat content for 1993–2008
provides clear evidence for warming. But
differences among various analyses and
inconsistencies with other indicators merit attention
(Trenberth 2010).
Craig Barnsley
Tami Jones
Fiona Pidgeon
Group 5 - Learning and Communicating Online
LEARN
HOW TO
HEALTHE
WORLD

11. Rising Ocean Temperatures
Supporting Evidence
The amount of information available in regards to
Rising Ocean Temperature caused by climate
change is extensive to say the lease.
Organisations, Governments, and international
councils on climate change are researching and
discovering new information daily. The most
objective evidence is outlined by the International
Panel on Climate Change. ―Because of its scientific
and intergovernmental nature, the IPCC embodies
a unique opportunity to provide rigorous and
balanced scientific information to decision makers.
By endorsing the IPCC reports, governments
acknowledge the authority of their scientific
content. The work of the organization is therefore
policy-relevant and yet policy-neutral, never policyprescriptive.” (Ipcc.ch, 2014)
Average sea surface temperature [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/images/indicator_downlo
ads/sea-surface-temp-map-download-2012.png
Preventative Actions
Continued emissions of greenhouse gases will lead to
further climate changes. Future changes are expected
to include a warmer atmosphere, a warmer and more
acidic ocean, higher sea levels, and larger changes in
precipitation patterns. The extent of future climate
change depends on what we do now to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. The more we emit, the
larger future changes will be (Epa.gov, 2014).
Craig Barnsley
Tami Jones
Fiona Pidgeon
Group 5 - Learning and Communicating Online
LEARN
HOW TO
HEALTHE
WORLD

12. Rising Ocean Temperatures
Resolution Outcomes
There is an overwhelming need for international cooperation to reduce the rising ocean temperatures, and
climate change as a whole. As new technological and scientific methods are discovered, a shared and
collaborative approach will lead to the best outcomes. A basic problem here is that cooperation is needed
among a very large group of unrelated individuals, in effect the entire human population (Gsottbauer & Van
Den Bergh, 2012).
Tropical Ocean Temperatures over the past 3.5 Billion Years. (2010). [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo/pubs/herbert2010/fig1.jpg
LEARN
HOW TO
HEALTHE
Craig Barnsley
Tami Jones
Fiona Pidgeon
Group 5 - Learning and Communicating Online
WORLD

13. Rising Ocean Temperatures
Cause and Effect
The cause of Rising Ocean Temperature can be
attributed to many things, however ―The observed
widespread warming of the atmosphere and
ocean, together with ice mass loss, support the
conclusion that it is extremely unlikely that global
climate change of the past 50 years can be
explained without external forcing and very
likely that it is not due to known natural causes
alone (Pachauri & Reisinger, 2008).
The minor increases of 0.1°c per year may seem
like an insignificant rise, however even a small
change in water temperature can be detrimental to
marine life, reproduction and feeding patterns to
name just a few (Sanctuaries.noaa.gov, 2014).
Changes in coral reef [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.wilderness.org.au/global-warming-andoceans
Craig Barnsley
Tami Jones
Fiona Pidgeon
Group 5 - Learning and Communicating Online
LEARN
HOW TO
HEALTHE
WORLD

14. Conclusion
Global warming is not just an issue for industry, but for individuals and governments alike around the
globe. This presentation has demonstrated the impact of climate change across the globe with global
temperatures having risen 0.6oC and governments across the world committing to changing practices.
Melting glaciers have been discussed with evidence demonstrating that they are disappearing fast. We
have also seen the ever changing effects on the globe to ocean temperatures as a result of global
warming.
Click on the video below to view how the global temperatures have changed.
Watch 131 Years of Global Warming in 26 Seconds [Video] Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuY7GnmabfA
LEARN
HOW TO
HEALTHE
Craig Barnsley
Tami Jones
Fiona Pidgeon
Group 5 - Learning and Communicating Online
WORLD

15. green
FOR THE FUTURE
References
22nd Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum. (2013). Australian Delegation. Draft Resolution
3.1 Cooperation To Face Climate Change (Outcomes Of COP 19). Retrieved from
http://www.22appfmexico.org/docs/Australia4.pdf
Australian Government. Department of the Environment. (2013). Australian Government Response to the
Productivity Commission Inquiry into Barriers to Effective Climate Change Adaption. Retrieved from
http://www.climatechange.gov.au/climate-change/adapting-climate-change/climate-change-adaptationprogram/barriers-effective-climat-0
Average sea surface temperature [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/images/indicator_downloads/sea-surface-temp-map-download-2012.png
Changes in coral reef [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.wilderness.org.au/global-warming-and-oceans
Climate Change Challenge.Org. (n.d.) Appropriate Quotations on Climate Change
and Renewable Energy. Retrieved from http://www.climatechangechallenge.org/Media/Quotations.htm
Collaboration through Online Learning [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.coachcarole.net/
Current CO2 Level [Image] Retrieved from http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence)

16. References
Edison, T [Image] (2013). Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/thomas-edison-9284349
European Commission. (2014). What’s causing climate change? Retrieved from
http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/brief/causes/index_en.htm
Figure 1: Changing heat content of the global ocean, with respect to the mean of 1993 to 2008.
(2010). [Image] Retrieved from
http://www.nature.com.ezproxy.lib.swin.edu.au/nature/journal/v465/n7296/fig_tab/465304a_F1.html
Friends of Science. (n.d.). Providing Insight into Climate Change. Myths/Facts. Common Misconceptions
about Global Warming. Retrieved from http://www.friendsofscience.org/index.php?id=3
Global Surface Temperature and Carbon Dioxide [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/science/global-thermometer-still-climbing.html
Gsottbauer, E. & Van Den Bergh, J. C. (2012). Bounded rationality and social interaction in negotiating a
climate agreement. International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law And Economics, pp. 1—25
How Global Warming Works [Image & Video] Retrieved from http://www.howglobalwarmingworks.org/inunder-4-minutes-ba.html

17. References
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, (IPCC). (2014). Organization. Retrieved from
http://www.ipcc.ch/organization/organization.shtml#.UuLtvhB9JhE
Lyman, J. M., Good, S. A., Gouretski, V. V., Ishii, M., Johnson, G. C., Palmer, M. D., Smith, D. M. & Willis, J.
K. (2010). Robust warming of the global upper ocean. Nature, 465 (7296), pp. 334--337.
Metzger, M. J. (2007). Making sense of credibility on the Web: Models for evaluating online information and
recommendations for future research. Journal of the American Society for Information Science &
Technology, 58(13), 2078-2091. doi:10.1002/asi.20672
Melting point: Grey Glacier in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park, part of the southern Patagonian ice
field, as seen from the International Space Station in July 2007. Credit: NASA [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/news/melting-glaciers-raising-sea-levels-more-polar-ice-sheets/
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). (n.d.). Global Climate Change. Vital Signs of the
Planet. Climate Change: How do we know? Retrieved from http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence
National Climatic Data Center. (n.d.). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Societal Impacts.
Retrieved from http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/societal-impacts/

18. References
National Geographic. (2014). Signs from Earth: The Big Thaw. Retrieved from
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/big-thaw/
National Geographic. (2014). The Great Energy Challenge. Climate Change Myths: Sorting Fact from
Fiction. Retrieved from http://energyblog.nationalgeographic.com/2010/12/21/climate-change-myth/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2010). National Marine Sanctuaries. Changing climate
and changing sanctuaries. Retrieved from
http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news/features/0609_changingclimate.html
Natural Resources Defense Council. (2014). Global Warming. An Introduction to Climate Change.
Retrieved from http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries. (2014). Primary Industries Science and Research.
Causes of Climate Change. What is climate change? Retrieved from
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/topics/climate-change/causes
Pachauri, R. K. & Reisinger, A. (2008). Climate change 2007. synthesis report. contribution of working
groups i, ii and iii to the fourth assessment report. Geneva (CH): IPCC.

19. References
Planet Extinction. (n.d.). Collapse of the Greenland Glaciers. Retrieved from
http://www.planetextinction.com/planet_extinction_greenland.htm
Trenberth, K. E. (2010). Global change: the ocean is warming, isn't it?. Nature, 465 (7296), pp. 304--304.
Tropical Ocean Temperatures over the past 3.5 Million Years. (2010). [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo/pubs/herbert2010/fig1.jpg
Union of Concerned Scientists. Global Warming. Global Thermometer Still Climbing. Retrieved from
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/science/global-thermometer-still-climbing.html
United States Environmental Protection Authority. (2013). Climate Change. Future Climate Change.
Retrieved from: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/future.html
Watch 131 Years of Global Warming in 26 Seconds [Video] Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuY7GnmabfA
Windows2Universe. (2014). Changing Planet: Melting Glaciers - Windows to the Universe. Retrieved from:
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/changing_planet/melting_glaciers_intro.html