Climate Change and Greenhouse Gases Quiz

The natural trapping of heat by certain gases in the atmosphere, like carbon dioxide and water vapor, which warms the Earth's surface.

A change in the Earth's climate over a long period, primarily due to increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

The layer of the atmosphere closest to Earth, where most weather occurs.

A natural process where the Earth's surface cools as water evaporates, rises, condenses, and releases heat higher in the atmosphere.

A natural cycle that involves the exchange of carbon between Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and living organisms.

The thinning of the ozone layer, which protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

The primary greenhouse gas that humans have added in large quantities to the atmosphere, mainly through burning fossil fuels.

The period in Earth's history where temperatures are relatively warm and stable, between ice ages.

The process of burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere.

Cutting down forests and burning grasslands to make space for agriculture and cities releases CO2 and nitrous oxide.

Livestock, mainly cows, release methane during their digestion process. This contributes to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

Growing rice in flooded fields and using synthetic fertilizers releases nitrous oxide into the atmosphere, a potent greenhouse gas.

The average global temperature near the Earth's surface has been increasing over time. This rise is mostly due to human activities that increase greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

The gradual increase in the Earth's average temperature, primarily caused by human-produced greenhouse gases.

The long-term changes in the Earth's climate patterns, including temperature, precipitation, wind, and sea level.

The ability of a surface to reflect sunlight back into space. Ice and snow have high albedo, while darker surfaces like water and forests have low albedo.

A process where an initial change in a system leads to further changes in the same direction, amplifying the initial effect.

Melting ice caps reduce the Earth's albedo, causing more sunlight to be absorbed and further warming the planet.

The release of methane from thawing permafrost contributes to global warming, creating a cycle where warmer temperatures cause more permafrost to thaw, releasing even more methane.

Most climate scientists agree that human activities are significantly influencing global warming, and it will continue to increase in the 21st century.

The IPCC and other climate scientists acknowledge that current climate models need improvement to accurately predict future climate changes.

The rate of change in Earth's temperature is a greater concern than the magnitude of change itself.

The IPCC warns that Earth's temperature change will be the most rapid in the last 1000 years.

The oceans act as a buffer against rising temperatures by absorbing a significant portion of excess CO2 and heat.

A warmer planet leads to increased rainfall and glacial melting, potentially altering the North Atlantic current, slowing or even stopping its flow.

The oceans are a massive storage reservoir for CO2 and heat, but their capacity to absorb more is uncertain, and their potential to release stored heat and CO2 back into the atmosphere is a major point of concern.

Scientists are unsure how quickly the heat absorbed by the ocean from the atmosphere can be transferred to the deep ocean by currents and mixing processes.

The possibility that the oceans might release stored heat and CO2 into the atmosphere in the coming decades is a concerning factor for global warming.

Scientists are exploring various natural and human-induced factors that could amplify or diminish anticipated changes in the troposphere's average temperature.

The process where warmer temperatures lead to the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from sources like bogs and permafrost, further increasing global warming.

A potential consequence of global warming where rising sea levels could cause flooding in coastal areas and threaten islands.

The contamination of coastal freshwater sources with saltwater as sea levels rise, potentially impacting drinking water and agriculture.

The debate among scientists, economists, and policymakers about the urgency and methods of addressing climate change.

The argument that the potential risks of climate change are so significant that immediate action is necessary despite uncertainties.

The scientific consensus that Earth's temperature is likely to rise this century and that human activities contribute to this change.

The belief that further research is needed before taking significant action on climate change.

The potential for significant economic, ecological, and social consequences due to climate change, motivating proactive responses.

Changes in ocean currents, especially the conveyor belt, are believed to have contributed to significant temperature variations during past ice ages. Scientists are investigating how these currents function to determine if they might slow down or stop in the future and the potential impact on global and regional temperatures.

When the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2), it becomes more acidic. This can negatively impact marine life, especially organisms like corals that depend on calcium carbonate to build their skeletons. Corals are already stressed by warming waters, and ocean acidification adds another layer of pressure.

Scientists have discovered evidence in ocean sediment cores that indicate a massive decrease in calcium carbonate levels 55 million years ago. This event is thought to be linked to a large release of methane, which warmed the planet and led to ocean acidification, ultimately causing the disappearance of calcium carbonate.

Greater concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere lead to increased ocean acidification. This means that activities that release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere contribute to the problem.

Given the understanding of ocean acidification, schemes involving the disposal of CO2 into the ocean are now considered unwise due to the potential harm it could cause to marine ecosystems.

Aerosols and soot from human activities can temporarily affect the temperature of the troposphere, the lowest layer of the atmosphere. These pollutants can either warm or cool the air, but their effects will decrease as air pollution declines.

Increased CO2 in the atmosphere might initially stimulate plant photosynthesis, leading to a temporary removal of CO2. However, other factors, like water availability and soil nutrients, can limit or offset this effect.

Higher temperatures in the troposphere can potentially increase methane emissions from natural sources like wetlands and permafrost. This creates a feedback loop, as methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to further warming.