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Questions and Answers
What is the primary cause of the enhanced greenhouse effect?
Which of the following describes the greenhouse effect?
Which type of data can be derived from ice cores?
What role do tree rings play in understanding climate change?
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What time frame does temperature data gathered from thermometers span?
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Which fossil fuel is formed primarily from decomposed plants and animals?
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What does global warming primarily refer to?
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What is the Little Ice Age?
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Which gas is primarily responsible for the enhanced greenhouse effect?
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How has the melting ice in Hudson Bay affected polar bears?
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What does the width of a tree ring indicate?
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Which human activity is a major contributor to the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
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What role do trees play regarding carbon dioxide?
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What is one social effect of climate change on populations living in low-lying coastal areas?
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What is the primary greenhouse gas produced by cattle during digestion?
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How does population growth influence greenhouse gas emissions?
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What happens to precipitation levels in some areas of the world due to climate change?
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What impact does deforestation have on the atmosphere?
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Which of the following factors contributes to water scarcity in certain areas?
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What percentage of greenhouse gas emissions is attributed to agriculture?
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What is a potential economic impact of climate change on certain countries?
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Which of the following is a consequence of rising sea temperatures?
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How is climate change affecting hurricane behavior?
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Which geographical area is likely to flood more often due to climate change?
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What effect does increasing temperatures have on biodiversity?
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What is a possible environmental effect of climate change on glaciers?
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Which of the following statements about coastal erosion is accurate?
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What is an expected benefit for farmers at higher latitudes due to climate change?
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What is a likely impact on populations of polar bears due to climate change?
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What is the primary purpose of the command word 'identify' in exam questions?
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When using the phrase 'to what extent' in an exam question, what should your response include?
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What is a suggested revision strategy according to the content?
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Which of the following is a recommended website for revision purposes?
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What type of reasoning is best used in the phrase 'this means that' when constructing an argument?
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Study Notes
Climate Change Definitions
- Climate change refers to significant shifts in global temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other climate indicators over extended periods, typically decades or longer.
- Global warming is a gradual increase in Earth's temperature, primarily attributed to the greenhouse effect.
- The greenhouse effect is a natural process where certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap solar heat, making the planet warmer than it would be without an atmosphere.
- Enhanced greenhouse effect: Human activities, particularly burning fossil fuels, agriculture, and deforestation, are amplifying the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming.
- Fossil fuels: These fuels, formed from decomposed plants and animals over millions of years, contain carbon and hydrogen, and their combustion releases greenhouse gases.
Evidence for Climate Change
- Ice cores: These samples taken from glaciers or ice sheets provide information about past climates by analyzing air bubbles trapped within ice layers, revealing temperature and atmospheric composition over time.
- Temperature Records: Thermometers have been used reliably since the 1850s, providing consistent short-term data on climate change, displayed through graphs.
- Tree Rings: The width of each growth ring in a tree reflects the climate conditions for that year, with wider rings indicating warmer and wetter periods.
Human Causes of Climate Change
- Fossil Fuels: Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, intensifying the greenhouse effect and driving global temperature rise.
- Deforestation: Removing trees disrupts the natural carbon cycle, leading to increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
- Population Growth: As the global population increases, so does the demand for food and resources, leading to intensified agriculture and livestock raising, which release greenhouse gases.
- Agriculture: Agricultural practices, including livestock raising and rice cultivation, contribute significantly to methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas.
Social Effects of Climate Change
- Coastal Migration: Rising sea levels threaten low-lying coastal areas, forcing displacement and potential overcrowding in other regions.
- Water Scarcity: Variations in precipitation patterns can lead to water scarcity in some areas, impacting human populations and agricultural systems.
- Increased Flooding: Higher precipitation levels in certain regions can lead to more frequent and severe flooding, causing damage to homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
Economic Effects of Climate Change
- Increased Costs: Extreme weather events necessitate greater investment in forecasting, prevention measures, and disaster relief efforts.
- Agricultural Impact: Agricultural production may be affected by changing temperature and precipitation patterns, potentially impacting food security and economic stability.
Environmental Effects of Climate Change
- Ice Sheet and Glacier Melt: Rising temperatures cause ice sheets and glaciers to melt, releasing stored water into the oceans and contributing to sea level rise.
- Sea Ice Loss: Melting sea ice, particularly in the Arctic, results in habitat loss for polar bears and other Arctic wildlife.
- Sea Level Rise: Continued sea level rise threatens coastal communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems due to flooding and erosion.
- Coral Bleaching: Warmer ocean temperatures cause coral reefs to expel algae, resulting in coral bleaching and potential ecosystem collapse.
- Biodiversity Changes: Shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns alter species distributions and biodiversity, potentially leading to habitat loss and species extinction.
Hurricanes and Climate Change
- Warmer Sea Temperatures: Rising sea temperatures provide fuel for hurricanes, making them stronger and more intense.
- Hurricane Expansion: Hurricanes are increasing in frequency and intensity due to warmer sea temperatures and are expanding their range to areas previously unaffected.
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Description
Explore key definitions and evidence of climate change, including concepts like global warming, the greenhouse effect, and fossil fuels. This quiz aims to enhance your understanding of how human activities impact our climate and the methods used to study these changes over time.