Climate Change: Causes, Effects, and Mitigation

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Questions and Answers

Describe how an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration can lead to ocean acidification, and what are the potential consequences for marine organisms?

Increased atmospheric CO2 dissolves in the ocean, forming carbonic acid, which lowers the ocean's pH (ocean acidification). This can hinder shell formation in marine organisms like shellfish and corals, impacting marine ecosystems.

Explain how deforestation contributes to climate change and describe one potential strategy to mitigate this impact.

Deforestation reduces the number of trees available to absorb CO2, leading to higher atmospheric concentrations. Reforestation or afforestation projects can help mitigate this by planting new trees to sequester carbon.

Describe the difference between climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation, providing an example of each approach.

Mitigation aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., switching to renewable energy), while adaptation involves adjusting to the effects of climate change (e.g., building sea walls).

How do changes in land use, such as urbanization, affect local and regional climate patterns, and what are some strategies to minimize these impacts?

Urbanization increases surface temperatures due to the urban heat island effect. Strategies include using green roofs, planting trees, and utilizing reflective materials to reduce heat absorption. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how changes in cloud cover, influenced by climate change, can create both positive and negative feedback loops, affecting global temperatures.

Increased cloud cover can reflect sunlight, cooling the planet (negative feedback). However, high clouds can also trap heat, warming the planet (positive feedback). Signup and view all the answers

Describe one way that melting glaciers contribute to sea level rise, and what are two potential consequences of rising sea levels for coastal communities?

Melting glaciers add water to the ocean, increasing its volume and causing sea level rise. This can lead to increased flooding and displacement of coastal populations. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how permafrost thaw contributes to climate change, including the specific greenhouse gases released and their relative global warming potentials.

Permafrost thaw releases methane and carbon dioxide, potent greenhouse gases. Methane has a significantly higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide over a shorter period. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in global climate patterns and explain how climate change might affect the intensity or frequency of ENSO events.

ENSO affects global temperatures and precipitation patterns. Climate change may increase the frequency or intensity of El Niño events, leading to more extreme weather conditions. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of a 'carbon footprint' and describe three specific actions an individual can take to reduce their personal carbon footprint.

A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases generated by our actions. Individuals can reduce their footprint by using public transport, reducing meat consumption, and conserving energy at home. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how climate change can affect the distribution and prevalence of infectious diseases, providing one specific example.

Climate change can expand the geographic range of disease vectors, such as mosquitoes, leading to an increased risk of diseases like malaria and dengue fever in new areas. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is a computer program?

A sequence of instructions that a computer can interpret and execute.

What is programming?

The process of writing, testing, repairing, and maintaining the source code of computer programs.