Data Visualization of GHG Emissions


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Tool Name World’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions
DisciplineEnvironmental Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineGreenhouse gas emissions
Climate TopicClimate variability record, The Greenhouse Effect
Type of ToolData Visualization
Grade LevelHigh school, Undergraduate
Data by the World Resources Institute (WRI)
Hosted atCAIT Climate Data Explorer
Computer SkillsBasic

Classroom/Laboratory Activity: Reconstruction of Paleoclimate by Using Isotopic Composition Data

A classroom/laboratory activity to learn about the isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen, analyze the isotopic composition of ice, and understand how isotopic compositions can be used to recreate past temperatures and climate.

Students will plot graphs to analyze data from the Vostok ice core in Antarctica, learn about the ice age and the gas age, calculate past temperatures using hydrogen isotope data, and discuss the possible impacts of changes in carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) concentrations on climate.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. How can you use hydrogen isotope data in an ice core to determine temperature?
  2. How can the isotopic composition of air bubbles in ice cores be used to recreate past climate?

About the Tool

Tool Name Lab: Vostok Ice Core
Discipline Chemistry, Earth Sciences
Topic(s) in Discipline Isotopes, Isotopic Ratios, Isotopic Composition in paloeclimate reconstructions
Climate Topic Climate and the Cryosphere, Climate Variability Record
Type of Tool Laboratory Activity
Grade Level Undergraduate
Location Antarctica
Vostok Station
Language English
Developed by  Stephanie Pfirman, Barnard College
Hosted at Columbia University: The Climate System course taught by Peter Schlosser, Stephanie Pfirman, Mingfang Ting, Jason Smerdon
Access Online, Offline
Computer Skills Intermediate

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Classroom/Laboratory Activity: Regression Analysis of Global Temperature Data

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Classroom/Laboratory Activity: Linear Regression on Arctic Ice Data

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