Question: The concerns of acid rain vary across the globe. Many countries in North America and Europe have websites dealing with acid rain. Either search to locate one (“Canada, acid rain”) or use these links to websites in Canada, the UK, or Europe. What are the issues in the country you selected? Does the acid deposition originate outside the borders of the country?

Our Group’s Answer: Concerns of acid rain in Canada relates to the imbalance of alkalinity of the soil and the aquatic ecosystem. The high levels of acid and calcium deposition around Canada (in United States) greatly affected the ecosystems of Canada and the quality and quantity of lifeforms had been affected significantly.

References: https://www.ec.gc.ca/Air/default.asp?lang=En&n=AA1521C2-1

Team Question Session 3

1. Understanding Earth’s energy balance is essential to understanding the issue of global warming. For example, the solar energy striking Earth’s surface averages 168 watts per square meter (W/m2). But the energy leaving Earth’s surface averages 390 W/m2. Why isn’t Earth cooling rapidly?

Apart from absorbing heat from the Sun, the Earth also has the ability to radiate heat itself. Thus, although a significant portion of the solar energy that strikes the Earth’s surface eventually leaves, the additional amount of heat radiated by the Earth causes the energy leaving the Earth’s surface to exceed 300W/m2. The overall effect is a gain in thermal energy for Earth.

Even though the rate of  solar energy striking the earth’s surface is 168W/m2 and the energy leaving Earth’s surface is 390Wm­-2, there is also the effects of greenhouse gases such as CO2, water vapour and methane which was not taken into account in the question. These greenhouse gases trap a significant portion of the heat that is leaving the Earth’s surface which therefore causes the rate of cooling of Earth to be slowed down.

2. Do you think the statement made by cartoon is justified? Explain.

“This winter has lowered my concerns about global warming …”

Global warming could lead to issues such as changes in the amount of rainfall and other weather patterns e.g. excessive snow or unexpectedly low temperatures during winter. Thus, a extreme winter season proves that global warming is a problem and not otherwise.

3. One of the first radar devices developed during World War II used microwave radiation of a specific wave range that triggers the rotation of water molecules. Why was the design not successful?

At different temperatures, the movement of water molecules changes. Thus, using a specific wavelength to trigger the rotation of water molecules may not work at all places due to different weather conditions i.e. in different countries

 If radiation is absorbed by water it will have limited range as well as heat up anything containing water molecules in its range of action

4. Now that you have studied air quality (Unit 1), stratospheric ozone depletion (Unit 2) and global warming (Unit 3), which do you believe poses the most serious problem for you in the short run? In the long run?