Climate How Long have we known

To-Do Date: Apr 19 at 9:30am

How long have we known that greenhouse gases trap heat?  A LONG time!  The first scientist to experimentally show that carbon dioxide can trap heat was a woman scientist, Eunice Foote, in the 1850s.

Watch the video below for a quick primer on the history of climate science and how long we've known about the warming potential of greenhouse gases. 

Study Guide

Use the following study guide question 

5. What is the history of climate research?

• • • When did  scientists start to contribute to our knowledge of climate science?
    • What did they conclude about our atmosphere, CO2, fossil fuels and climate? 
    • Why does CO2 go up every winter and down every summer?
    • How does the increase in air temperature affect the ability of the air to hold water?  What does this mean for precipitation patterns?
    • Why is Dr. Hansen particularly concerned about sea level rise?
    • Which scientific bodies have accepted the evidence that humans are causing climate change?

 

Optional Resources

• • Here is another Global Weirding Video (Links to an external site.) about how long we've known about climate change and the early scientist working in the field, going back 200 years!  
  • Here's a NY Times article about the evidence that Exxon knew about the link between fossil fuels and climate change for decades but misled the public:  NY Times: Exxon Misled the Public on Climate Change, Study Says (Links to an external site.)

 

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