EXHIBITION GUIDES

Exhibition Guide for Global Warming Facts & Our Future

THE CONTENT OF THE GLOBAL WARMING FACTS & OUR FUTURE EXHIBITION

The Global Warming Facts & Our Future exhibition presents current knowledge about the potential causes and impacts of climate change and about potential human responses to mitigate its harmful effects. The exhibition is divided into five stations, each with information and interactive experiences for students.

Station 1: The Greenhouse Effect
The main messages of station 1 are:

• Human influence on the natural climate system is leading to a changing but uncertain future.
• The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that warms the Earth.
• The greenhouse effect is amplified by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases.
• There is a range of international perspectives on climate change.

The centerpiece of this station is a hands-on demonstration illustrating the natural greenhouse effect and the role of higher greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in amplifying the warming. Students actually feel the warming effect of increased trapping of infrared radiation.

Station 2: The Natural Carbon Balance and Causes of Climate Change
The main messages of station 2 are:

• The natural Earth system maintains a carbon balance.
• Human carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions will disrupt the balance for a long time.
• Forcing/feedback interactions make the climate dynamic.
• Greenhouse gases are the primary forcing factor.
• The natural climate system is complex but has identifiable elements.
• Natural climate changes illustrate forcing and feedback.
• Climate changes affect human events.
• The paleoclimatological record can be read in tree rings, ice, sediment, coral, and other forms of evidence.

The centerpiece of this station is a large, permanently sealed glass sphere containing an ecosystem that persists because of the cycling of carbon and other chemicals. This station demonstrates that carbon is cycled through living systems as part of the Earth system, which controls Earth’s climate. The exhibit builds understanding of the components of the natural climate system and the role played by in that system. It also presents CO₂ evidence for changes in levels of that correlate with human activities. The station asks students to consider factors that influence the natural system, and two unique timelines offer evidence regarding past climates. This station also presents evidence of past impacts of climate change on society.

Station 3: A Century of Change
The main messages of this station are:

• The increases in atmospheric CO₂ levels and temperature are real.
• “The changes observed over the past several decades are likely mostly due to human activities, but we cannot rule out that some significant part of these changes is also a reflection of natural variability” (National Research Council, 2001).
• Twentieth-century temperature changes are locally varied.
• Contemporary observation techniques yield greater spatial and temporal resolution than does paleoclimatic evidence.
• CO₂ and other greenhouse gas emissions arise from a variety of sources.
• While CO₂ is the most significant greenhouse gas, other powerful greenhouse agents might be controlled less expensively in the near term.

The centerpiece of this station is a large glass timeline showing the relationship between temperature and CO₂ during the 20th century. Students can slide a plasma screen along the timeline to view an animation of temperature change over the 20th century. An interactive element allows students to examine regional temperature changes by year. Other displays include a description of the various sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

Station 4: A Changing but Uncertain Future
The main messages of this station are:

• Despite variation among models, almost all agree that CO₂ concentrations and temperature will continue to rise.
• Uncertainties in the details of climate projections are due to uncertainties in human behavior, models, and natural variability.
• U.S. residents currently account for significantly higher emissions of CO₂ on average than do people in most other countries.
• Future atmospheric CO₂ levels depend on human choices.
• Projecting future human emissions involves uncertainties about geo-economic and geo-political forces.
• CO₂ emissions are unevenly distributed among nations and regions. The nature of the uneven distribution depends on whether emissions are measured as total emissions, emissions per unit of gross domestic product, or emissions per person.
• The distribution of emissions will change in the next 20 years.
• Effective mitigation would likely require both personal and corporate action.
• Some mitigation actions are more effective than others.
• Stabilizing atmospheric CO₂ at today’s level would require approximately a three-quarters reduction in emissions.

This station uses computer-modeling systems to project possible scenarios given various forecasts of CO₂ emissions. Students also will see how human choices can influence the future through choices affecting population sizes, the economy, and technology. Current and projected future CO₂ emissions from various nations are presented in graphic format. Using a computerized tool, students will be able to assess the effectiveness of personal and national choices.

Station 5: Climate Change Hits Home
The main messages of this station are:

• “Despite the great uncertainties, greenhouse warming is a potential threat sufficient to justify action now” (National Research Council, 1992).
• Climate change will affect many aspects of human life and ecology.
• There will be large regional differences in impacts and in the ability to respond to climate change.
• Mitigation and adaptation responses involve compromises that affect personal lifestyles and national and international policy.
• Choices regarding possible responses vary from person to person.

In this station, students consider the impact of climate change on different geographic regions. For example, a large interactive display allows students to see what would happen if the sea level rises due to a warmer climate, and students are asked to think deeply about the possible impacts resulting from such a sea level rise. This station confronts students with the need for analytical thinking and problem solving to make decisions related to climate change.