Gary Horner Solutions for Chapter: Evidence, Exercise 25: Summative assessment

This graph shows the Antarctica mass variation since $2002$. 

Apart from the overall trend in the data, hypothesise why there are small upward and downward variations in the total land ice mass within a calendar year.

This graph shows the Antarctica mass variation since $2002$. 

Estimate the change in mass for the period $2004–2008$.

This graph shows the Antarctica mass variation since $2002$. 

Analyse the data and comment whether the rate of loss of mass is increasing or decreasing, in the decade following $2008$. Support your argument with mathematical evidence.

Explain why glacial ice, and the air bubbles trapped within it, is such an important tool in the study of climate. Include details of the various types of information scientists can ascertain from this scientific endeavour

What modelling can be undertaken to help scientists in their future work for predicting climatic changes from glacial ice?

How does the prediction of climate changes by the scientists support government and the United Nations’ actions?

The $20$th century has been a time of rapid glacial retreat. What do some scientists attribute this to?

Create a detailed diagram to explain the roles played by humans, manufacturing, transportation and public infrastructure, agriculture, fossil fuel energy production and other similar factors in causing global warming and glacial retreat.