1: Orientation Lab
- Page ID
- 50377
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Welcome to the Climate Change Lab! Throughout this course, we will use numerous resources from the American Meteorological Society (AMS), the National Weather Service (NWS), the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), and other agencies to work through the investigations in this lab manual. The questions in each of these investigations are mostly multiple-choice, with a few short written questions. The questions will be based on numerical data similar to Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\), which shows the famous Keeling curve.
In this introductory investigation, we'll define some basic standards, statistical measures, and tools that will make your life easier as you go through this course.
- Learn the basic procedures for submitting lab coursework as outlined by your instructor.
- Interpret global climate maps.
- Distinguish Global Warming from Climate Change.
Investigation 0 has 21 questions in total, and the list is continuous, carrying over from the first to the last subpages of the investigation.
- 1.1: Lab Procedures
- The lab manual consists of nine investigations featuring a mix of multiple-choice and written problems. Some activities utilize external websites for climate data and modeling. Updated in March 2026, users must note the potential variability of external resources. Students should follow their instructors' submission policies, while instructors are advised to personalize Investigation 0 to enhance clarity in instructions and procedures.
- 1.2: Maps and Geography
- We introduce key geographical tools for reading maps, emphasizing spatial orientation, continent and country identification, and the interpretation of average and anomaly climate data. It outlines a standard orientation rule for maps and discusses the significance of temperature averages versus short-term anomalies in climate studies. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of understanding color-shaded maps and includes practice examples for effective data interpretation.
- 1.3: Longitude and Latitude
- This page explains the latitude and longitude coordinate system used to identify Earth locations, comparing it to X-Y math coordinates. It describes longitude as measuring distance east or west of the Prime Meridian and latitude as north or south of the Equator. The page includes how to determine coordinates on a map and introduces the International Date Line at 180° longitude, highlighting its significance in timekeeping. These coordinates are crucial in fields like meteorology and geography.
- 1.4: Global Warming vs. Climate Change
- We define Global Warming and Climate Change, using graphs to illustrate global temperature anomalies. It clarifies the misconception that equates Global Warming with a single temperature anomaly and highlights the complexity of global climate conditions. It differentiates between Global Warming and Climate Change, noting that regional cooling can occur amidst overall warming.
- 1.5: Accessible Descriptions
- This page provides accessible descriptions for the images in the Investigation
Thumbnail: The Earth's coordinate system by Djexplo via Wikimedia Commons is licensed in the Public Domain.