Josh Sidener and Hurricanes

Essential Questions: 1. The earth systems affect each other when matter or energy passes through one to another. For example, this can happen when water vapor evaporates from a lake (hydrosphere) into the atmosphere, and comes back down to the geosphere as rain. Then, the plants in the biosphere absorb it to aid in photosynthesis. 2. An understanding of environmental science is a large part of what allows us to predict natural disasters, which is crucial to handling them. Understanding environmental science also allows us to know what each natural disaster is, which further helps us prepare for it. 3. To make a sustainable future, we need to emit less greenhouse gasses. There are many ways to accomplish this, but in my opinion, the most important thing is for corporations or the government to make efforts. People in power making a change will matter almost infinitely more than a single person creating a change in their lifestyle. The government has the power to create legislature that will greatly affect the amount of greenhouse gas emissions we produce. And many corporations are responsible for massive amounts of emissions as well. Reaction to our findings: Before I researched hurricanes, I thought that they were really complicated and I didn't understand how they worked. Now I understand how the different temperatures interact to create rotation in the atmosphere, and ultimately create a hurricane. I learned to look at the larger ideas instead of trying to vigorously understand every little thing.