Ice-Albedo Feedback
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These materials were developed by CIRES CEEE at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Unit Driving Question:
Why might the Arctic be warming twice as fast as the rest of the world?
Lesson Driving Questions:
What You Will Be Doing:
Describe the ice-albedo feedback loop.
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These materials were developed by CIRES CEEE at the University of Colorado Boulder.
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Why might the Arctic be warming four times as fast as the rest of the world?
Figure from NASA
Unit Driving Question
These materials were developed by CIRES CEEE at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Driving Question(s) For This Lesson
1. What is a feedback loop?
2. How does a decline in sea ice lead to further melting of sea ice?
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Image: CIRES
These materials were developed by CIRES CEEE at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Part 1: Arctic Feedbacks
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Image: NASA
These materials were developed by CIRES CEEE at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Feedback Loop: a cycle within a system that increases (positive) or decreases (negative) the effects on that system.
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Image: CIRES
Does this image show a positive or negative feedback loop?
These materials were developed by CIRES CEEE at the University of Colorado Boulder.
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Positive Feedback - Increases Warming | Negative Feedback - Decreases Warming |
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Instructions: While watching the “Arctic Feedbacks” video, record all factors that increase (positive feedback) and decrease (negative feedback) warming in the Arctic.
These materials were developed by CIRES CEEE at the University of Colorado Boulder.
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Positive Feedback - Increases Warming | Negative Feedback - Decreases Warming |
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Instructions: While watching the “Arctic Feedbacks” video, record all factors that increase (positive feedback) and decrease (negative feedback) warming in the Arctic.
These materials were developed by CIRES CEEE at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Part 2: Testing ideas against real data
Over the course of this unit we’ve gathered evidence and developed predictions about why the Arctic is warming more rapidly than the rest of the world. It’s time for us to test our ideas and predictions against the following Arctic datasets:
Arctic Temperatures Sea Ice Extent Albedo
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These materials were developed by CIRES CEEE at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Arctic Dataset Predictions
Before we look at the data let’s make a few predictions:
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These materials were developed by CIRES CEEE at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Part 3: Albedo and Sea Ice Extent Line Graph
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Instructions
Step 1: The graph below shows only changes in sea ice extent from 2000-2021 (dashed gray line). Plot the Arctic albedo dataset from this table on the graph below.
Step 2: Refer to the graph to answer analysis questions #4-5.
These materials were developed by CIRES CEEE at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Part 4: Albedo and Temperature Scatter Plot
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Instructions
Step 1: Add a trendline to fit the data
Step 2: Refer to the scatter plot to answer analysis questions #7-9.
These materials were developed by CIRES CEEE at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Part 5: Summary Table
In groups, answer the questions below in no more than 3 sentences:
10. What did we learn about how a decline in sea ice leads to further melting of sea ice (ice-albedo feedback)?
11. How does what you learned relate to the unit driving question, “Why might the Arctic be warming four times as fast as the rest of the world?”
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Lesson name | What did we learn? | How does it relate to the unit driving question? |
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These materials were developed by CIRES CEEE at the University of Colorado Boulder.
End of Lesson
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These materials were developed by CIRES CEEE at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Optional Extension
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These materials were developed by CIRES CEEE at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Optional Discussion: Might vs. Is...
As the Arctic’s albedo increases (becomes more reflective), Arctic temperatures decrease. However, this relationship is more complicated than it might appear…
Discussion Question(s):
Why is the unit driving question, “Why MIGHT the Arctic be warming four times as fast as the rest of the world?” instead of “Why IS the Arctic warming four times as fast as the rest of the world?”
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These materials were developed by CIRES CEEE at the University of Colorado Boulder.
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Key:
Optional: Update Earth’s energy budget model
These materials were developed by CIRES CEEE at the University of Colorado Boulder.