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Questions and Answers
What is the strongest greenhouse gas that plays a significant role in climate feedback cycles?
What is the strongest greenhouse gas that plays a significant role in climate feedback cycles?
Which process describes the generation of more clouds as a result of increased water vapor in the atmosphere?
Which process describes the generation of more clouds as a result of increased water vapor in the atmosphere?
How does greater ocean acidity relate to atmospheric CO2 levels?
How does greater ocean acidity relate to atmospheric CO2 levels?
What has contributed to the rise of sea levels since 1880?
What has contributed to the rise of sea levels since 1880?
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What happens to global temperatures when ocean biological productivity increases?
What happens to global temperatures when ocean biological productivity increases?
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What is the approximate increase in CO2 levels over the past 60 years?
What is the approximate increase in CO2 levels over the past 60 years?
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In the context of the feedback cycles, what effect does cloud formation have on sunlight?
In the context of the feedback cycles, what effect does cloud formation have on sunlight?
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How has climate change specifically impacted glaciers observed in Vancouver Island?
How has climate change specifically impacted glaciers observed in Vancouver Island?
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Which factor is NOT directly associated with the positive feedback loop of water vapor?
Which factor is NOT directly associated with the positive feedback loop of water vapor?
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What is the outcome of lower carbonate formation due to higher atmospheric CO2 levels?
What is the outcome of lower carbonate formation due to higher atmospheric CO2 levels?
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Which factor contributes to the increase in severe weather events globally?
Which factor contributes to the increase in severe weather events globally?
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What temperature was recorded during the arctic heat wave on August 8, 2024?
What temperature was recorded during the arctic heat wave on August 8, 2024?
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What role does rock dust play in ocean biological productivity?
What role does rock dust play in ocean biological productivity?
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What is one major effect of melting permafrost in Northern Canada?
What is one major effect of melting permafrost in Northern Canada?
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Why are warmer oceans a concern regarding hurricanes?
Why are warmer oceans a concern regarding hurricanes?
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What is the observed trend of average global temperature from 1979 to 2019?
What is the observed trend of average global temperature from 1979 to 2019?
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What does albedo measure in relation to Earth's climate?
What does albedo measure in relation to Earth's climate?
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Which greenhouse gas is identified as the strongest in terms of its effect on climate?
Which greenhouse gas is identified as the strongest in terms of its effect on climate?
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How does Earth primarily lose energy to space?
How does Earth primarily lose energy to space?
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Which factor does NOT contribute to changes in incoming solar radiation?
Which factor does NOT contribute to changes in incoming solar radiation?
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What is the main role of greenhouse gases in climate regulation?
What is the main role of greenhouse gases in climate regulation?
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Which determines how much light is absorbed by Earth?
Which determines how much light is absorbed by Earth?
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In terms of geologic timescales, which statement is true regarding Earth's energy balance?
In terms of geologic timescales, which statement is true regarding Earth's energy balance?
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What characteristic of the ocean enhances its ability to exchange carbon dioxide with the atmosphere?
What characteristic of the ocean enhances its ability to exchange carbon dioxide with the atmosphere?
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Which of the following is a source of carbon dioxide?
Which of the following is a source of carbon dioxide?
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What process contributes to the long-term storage of carbon in the earth?
What process contributes to the long-term storage of carbon in the earth?
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Which condition leads to the transformation of organic matter into coal?
Which condition leads to the transformation of organic matter into coal?
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What is a necessary component for maintaining consistent energy availability in green technology?
What is a necessary component for maintaining consistent energy availability in green technology?
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What effect does deforestation have on the carbon cycle?
What effect does deforestation have on the carbon cycle?
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What is a consequence of increased carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere?
What is a consequence of increased carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere?
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Which material is crucial for the production of lithium-ion batteries?
Which material is crucial for the production of lithium-ion batteries?
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What role do methanogens play in the carbon cycle?
What role do methanogens play in the carbon cycle?
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What role does geology and earth science play in addressing climate change?
What role does geology and earth science play in addressing climate change?
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Which of the following is a key goal of the Paris Agreement?
Which of the following is a key goal of the Paris Agreement?
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Which process would likely increase methane emissions into the atmosphere?
Which process would likely increase methane emissions into the atmosphere?
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How does the carbon cycle influence climate?
How does the carbon cycle influence climate?
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What is one challenge faced in completely transitioning to electric energy sources?
What is one challenge faced in completely transitioning to electric energy sources?
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What is a suggested action at the individual level to reduce CO2 production?
What is a suggested action at the individual level to reduce CO2 production?
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Which type of nuclear energy has the potential to produce minimal waste?
Which type of nuclear energy has the potential to produce minimal waste?
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Which element is NOT considered a rare earth element used in technology?
Which element is NOT considered a rare earth element used in technology?
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What is one of the main observed impacts of climate change?
What is one of the main observed impacts of climate change?
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How does an increase in global warming affect different climatic regions?
How does an increase in global warming affect different climatic regions?
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What is one potential climate engineering solution to reduce incoming solar flux?
What is one potential climate engineering solution to reduce incoming solar flux?
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What method can be used to capture and store CO2 from the atmosphere?
What method can be used to capture and store CO2 from the atmosphere?
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Which of the following impacts is NOT predicted to worsen due to climate change?
Which of the following impacts is NOT predicted to worsen due to climate change?
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What is a likely effect of climate change on storm patterns globally?
What is a likely effect of climate change on storm patterns globally?
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Which of the following renewable energy sources is considered effective in areas with abundant water flow?
Which of the following renewable energy sources is considered effective in areas with abundant water flow?
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How does ocean iron fertilization help combat climate change?
How does ocean iron fertilization help combat climate change?
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Study Notes
Lesson 7: Present Day Climate Change
- The climate is a consequence of energy balance between the sun, the atmosphere, and the Earth's surface.
- Earth's energy balance factors include greenhouse gases, albedo, and feedback cycles.
- Albedo is the fraction of incoming solar radiation reflected away from Earth.
- Higher albedo means more reflection and lower absorption.
- Ice, snow, and clouds increase albedo, while forests and dark soil decrease it.
- Incoming solar radiation is mostly shortwave radiation.
- Earth emits longwave radiation.
- Greenhouse gases absorb longwave radiation and re-emit it in all directions.
- Water vapor is the most potent greenhouse gas.
- Other greenhouse gases absorb longwave radiation where water vapor doesn't.
- The amount of incoming solar radiation can change:
- Earth's orbit can change over 10,000 to 100,000 year timescales.
- The Sun has become about 30% brighter since its formation.
- The carbon cycle involves sources and sinks of carbon dioxide (CO2).
- Sources include burning fossil fuels, cellular respiration, and volcanic activity.
- Sinks include the weathering of rocks, photosynthesis, and the ocean.
- The ocean absorbs CO2, which in turn forms carbonic acid.
- CO2 and methane (CH4) from fossil fuels and other sources are increasing, leading to increased greenhouse effect.
- Feedback cycles affect climate change by either amplifying or stabilizing it.
- Positive feedback amplifies changes, while negative feedback stabilizes changes.
- Water vapor/temperature feedback: Warmer air can hold more water vapor, which increases evaporation, which in turn warms the atmosphere.
- CO2/ocean acidity feedback: Increased CO2 leads to more carbonic acid in the ocean, which reduces the ocean’s capacity to absorb CO2, also impacting marine life.
- Ice/albedo feedback: Melting ice reduces albedo, causing more sunlight absorption, which leads to further melting.
- Ocean biological pump: Changes to oceanic biological productivity can affect levels of CO2.
- CO2/vegetation feedback: Warmer temperatures increase plant growth, which absorbs CO2, decreasing atmospheric levels.
- Climate change from rapid forcing, such as volcanic eruptions, can affect global climate.
- Humans are rapidly emitting CO2, which is disrupting Earth's energy balance.
- A global effort to mitigate climate change is necessary.
- Countries have signed international agreements, like the Paris Agreement, to limit temperature increases.
- Individual actions can make a difference as well.
- Strategies to reduce CO2 emissions include using renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, developing green technologies, and reducing food waste.
- Climate engineering, such as increasing Earth's albedo or removing CO2, have also been proposed.
- Exploration for and extraction of new critical minerals is needed for a full energy transition.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the factors influencing climate change and the role of greenhouse gases in feedback cycles. This quiz covers key concepts such as ocean acidity, sea level rise, and the impact of climate change on glaciers. Challenge yourself with questions related to atmospheric CO2 levels and severe weather events.
