Inconvient Truth Answers

Inconvenient Truth Focus Questions Self Check Key

1) Does science discover new information or does it refine, change and extend the information that is already present? Explain.

Although some science is classified as new, most work in science refines, changes and extends information that is already present as was exhibited in the case of global warming and rising yearly temperatures.

2) What is the most vulnerable part of the Earth’s ecosystem?

The atmosphere.

3) What chemical does this movie say it is vulnerable to?

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

4) What type of reaction produces this chemical? Give an example.

Combustion – 2 C8H18 + 25 O2 ( 16 CO2 + 18 H20

5) How long have we been studying CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere?

Since about 1958. Almost 50 years.

6) How far back in time can we measure CO2 concentrations?

1000 years in certain ice cores and 650,000 years in Antarctica Ice cores using isotopes of oxygen.

7) What is happening to our glaciers over the last 30 years and why is it a problem for 40% of the people in the world?

They have been melting and as a result 40% of people will run out of a fresh water supply.

8) How does temperature over time relate to CO2 concentration?

Increased CO2 Concentration always results in increased global temperatures.

9) What is ppm?

Parts per million – it is how CO2 and other chemicals are measured (example 300 ppm).

10) Is our atmospheric CO2 concentration within normal cyclical limits? Explain.

No, it is way above 300 ppm and is much above the cyclical highs and lows shown prior to the industrial revolution.

11) Is this a political, moral or spiritual issue? Justify your answer.

One could argue it is all three. Political as we need political solutions, moral as we have a moral responsibility to our future generations...