The lab involves analyzing CO2 emissions data from NOAA to write a scientific report addressing whether CO2 emissions have increased or decreased over the past 40 years. It discusses the natural balance of warming and cooling processes in Earth's climate, emphasizing the role of anthropogenic activities in enhancing warming through greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, it outlines strategies for pollution reduction and the importance of identifying pollution sources.

1. In this lab, you will gather data about CO
2
emissions using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Web site (Earth System Research Laboratory,
n.d.) to help you write up a scientific report centered around
known phenomena of CO
2
emissions, related to the following question:
Would you expect to see an increase or decrease in CO
2
emissions in the data over the past 40 years? Why?
Part 1
:
Introduction
The natural balance that occurs between global atmospheric
cooling and warming processes provides an important
contribution to the Earth’s varied climates.
Troposphere gases
Planetary albedo from clouds low in the troposphere, sulfur
dioxide (SO
2
) from active volcanoes, snow, and ice all reflect incoming solar
radiation back into space. This causes a
cooling
effect on climates within a geographical area.
Clouds
high
in the troposphere and greenhouse gases such as water vapor(H
2
O), carbon dioxide (CO
2
) , methane (CH
4
) , and nitrous oxide (N
2

2. O) have a
warming
effect.
Along with the solar activity, these cooling and warming
processes help ensure that the planet’s average surface
temperature is a net value that is above freezing, helping to
ensure that life is possible.
Theory on CO
2
Emissions
It has been hypothesized that anthropogenic effects (conditions
caused by human activity) that are associated with industry,
agriculture, and fossil fuel use have enhanced these warming
processes by contributing greenhouse gases such as N
2
O, CH
4
,and CO
2
into the troposphere. As a result, CO
2
is believed to contribute the most to the atmospheric warming
process.
Pollution
Pollution
is a substance that produces a detrimental change in the
environment because of its composition and abundance.
Anthropogenic sources of CO
2
fit this description because of the perception that there is
evidence of a positive correlation between the increases in
anthropogenic CO
2
and increases in temperature. In turn, as temperatures increase,
climates can change worldwide, unbalancing ecosystems across
the globe.

3. Strategies
Strategies and prediction models can be used to decrease or
eliminate the effects that are associated with a particular
pollutant. First, the cause of the pollution must be identified.
Then, scientists can create innovate ways to reduce or eliminate
its production.
Part 2:
Earth System Research Laboratory
Click on the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Earth System
Research Laboratory, Global Monitoring Division Website.
or
https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/obop/
(Earth System Research Laboratory, n.d.). Here you will
identify important sources of CO
2
emission to help you complete your lab assignment.
Reference
Earth system research laboratory: Global monitoring division
. (n.d.). Retrieved from the U.S. Department of Commerce,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Research
Web site: http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/obop//