National Louis University Science Discussion

It’s Only a Model

Scientists use models to understand relationships, learn more about how a process works, and often to predict future conditions or events. A few of the scientific models that you may be familiar with are those that predict earthquakes, predict future climate patterns, or predict wildlife populations. A common objection to climate change is that climate models are not capable of truly predicting future climatic conditions.

• How do researchers test models to make sure that they will be accurate?
• What is the importance of models to scientific research in the field of environmental science?
• Describe at least one example of how modeling is used in an environmental science application in your post

Resources:

• Read: NASA. (2017). Climate change: How do we know? Retrieved from https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
• Read: NASA. (2017). Frequently asked questions. Retrieved from https://climate.nasa.gov/faq/
• Read: EPA. (2017). Overview of greenhouse gases. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases
• Read: National Geographic. (2017). Effects of global warming [Web page]. Retrieved from http://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/global-warming-effects/
• Read: UK Environmental Change Network. (n.d.). 3.1 Factors affecting climate [Tutorial]. Retrieved from http://www.ecn.ac.uk/what-we-do/education/tutorials-weather-climate/climate/factors-affecting-climate
• Read: Global Carbon Atlas. (n.d.). Map view [CO2 map]. Retrieved from http://www.globalcarbonatlas.org/en/CO2-emissions
• View: Phet. (n.d.). The greenhouse effect [Simulation]. Retrieved from https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/greenhouse
• Watch: MinuteEarth. (2015). How do greenhouse gases actually work [Video file]? Retrieved from https://youtu.be/sTvqIijqvTg (3:08)
• Watch: Global Weirding K. Hayhoe. (2018). What about the ozone hole  Retrieved from https://youtu.be/wLRsFkwYaMw (8:33)
• Watch: TedEd. (2016). Can wildlife adapt to climate change? -Erin Eastwood. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCKRjP_DMII&list=PLXr6FLZknQc5ILVvuCnzPcxiW_VQfG_FR&index=13&t=0s (4:46)
• Watch: Bozeman Science. (2014). The Greenhouse Effect. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ojaDMadZXU. (8:27)
• Watch: SciShow. (2013). A history of Earth’s climate. Retrieved from
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC_2WXyORGA (11:19)