Podcast
Questions and Answers
The increase in greenhouse gasses has occurred primarily in the past 50 years.
The increase in greenhouse gasses has occurred primarily in the past 50 years.
True
The warming between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius is considered ______ for ecosystems and species.
The warming between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius is considered ______ for ecosystems and species.
critical
What is the expected outcome if current carbon dioxide emissions continue?
What is the expected outcome if current carbon dioxide emissions continue?
Corals will not survive this century.
The climate has always changed and will continue to change.
The climate has always changed and will continue to change.
Signup and view all the answers
How many of the ten warmest years on the planet have occurred since 2005?
How many of the ten warmest years on the planet have occurred since 2005?
Signup and view all the answers
The recent increase in greenhouse gas emissions has been occurring more rapidly than previous warming periods.
The recent increase in greenhouse gas emissions has been occurring more rapidly than previous warming periods.
Signup and view all the answers
What are three major impacts of climate change on human life and communities?
What are three major impacts of climate change on human life and communities?
Signup and view all the answers
What did scientists observe in global average surface temperature between 1880 and 2019?
What did scientists observe in global average surface temperature between 1880 and 2019?
Signup and view all the answers
The scientific method is not being used to conduct climate change research.
The scientific method is not being used to conduct climate change research.
Signup and view all the answers
Some climate skeptics argue that there is not enough data to adequately understand climate change.
Some climate skeptics argue that there is not enough data to adequately understand climate change.
Signup and view all the answers
What are the major consequences of climate change, and what these changes mean for us?
What are the major consequences of climate change, and what these changes mean for us?
Signup and view all the answers
The oceans are acting as a heat and carbon sink, but in the past 50 years, heat and carbon are actually changing the chemistry of the oceans, a process known as ocean acidification.
The oceans are acting as a heat and carbon sink, but in the past 50 years, heat and carbon are actually changing the chemistry of the oceans, a process known as ocean acidification.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the expected outcome of continued carbon dioxide emission trends?
What is the expected outcome of continued carbon dioxide emission trends?
Signup and view all the answers
Climate change is not altering the oceans in significant ways.
Climate change is not altering the oceans in significant ways.
Signup and view all the answers
The rise in ocean temperatures has been accelerating at an alarming rate, increasing the frequency and intensity of catastrophic weather events around the globe.
The rise in ocean temperatures has been accelerating at an alarming rate, increasing the frequency and intensity of catastrophic weather events around the globe.
Signup and view all the answers
The oceans play an important role in regulating the climate by acting as a heat and carbon sink. As greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere and as temperatures rise, the oceans are absorbing the bulk of that heat and carbon.
The oceans play an important role in regulating the climate by acting as a heat and carbon sink. As greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere and as temperatures rise, the oceans are absorbing the bulk of that heat and carbon.
Signup and view all the answers
The increased temperature of seawater causes the oceans to expand in size, combined with increased meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets because of rising global temperatures, leading to sea level rise.
The increased temperature of seawater causes the oceans to expand in size, combined with increased meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets because of rising global temperatures, leading to sea level rise.
Signup and view all the answers
The increasing acidity of the oceans has reduced marine life and habitats by 30%.
The increasing acidity of the oceans has reduced marine life and habitats by 30%.
Signup and view all the answers
Climate change is affecting our planet only in the way it warms the atmosphere.
Climate change is affecting our planet only in the way it warms the atmosphere.
Signup and view all the answers
The oceans absorb heat and carbon from the atmosphere and act as a carbon sink.
The oceans absorb heat and carbon from the atmosphere and act as a carbon sink.
Signup and view all the answers
All climate change research is done using the scientific method and is published in peer-reviewed journals.
All climate change research is done using the scientific method and is published in peer-reviewed journals.
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Climate Change
- Global sea levels have risen 8 to 9 inches since 1880.
- Scientists predict anywhere from an additional 1 to 8 feet of sea level rise.
- The rate of sea-level rise depends on coastal geography, erosion and other local factors, and ocean currents.
- Sea-level rise is problematic for many reasons, and a large percentage of the world's population lives at or near sea level.
- Eight of the US's ten largest coastal areas (Lindsey, 2019) are at risk.
- Forty percent of the population in cities like Jakarta, Indonesia; Bangkok, Thailand; Lagos, Nigeria; Manila, Philippines; Dhaka, Bangladesh; Shanghai, China; and Calcutta, India is at risk.
- Places like Miami, Florida are already experiencing "sunny-day flooding."
Climate Change and Agriculture
- Climate change impacts agriculture significantly.
- Crop yields will decline, and regions worldwide may experience food scarcity.
- Farmers experience increased temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and more extreme weather events.
- Rising carbon dioxide levels decrease the nutrient yield of important crops such as wheat, rice, soybeans, and other key grains and legumes.
- Scientists have found that rising carbon dioxide levels reduce the levels of zinc, iron, protein, and other essential vitamins in staple crops.
Climate Change and Biodiversity
- Climate change is a threat to biodiversity.
- 8.7 million species exist on Earth; only 1.2 million have been discovered by humankind.
- Many species have not adapted quickly enough to the changes in precipitation patterns.
- Ecosystems experience increases in temperature and changes in precipitation patterns, and certain species are unable to adapt quickly enough.
Climate Change and Wildfires
- The lack of rain or humidity dries out trees and vegetation, creating ideal situations for wildfires and enabling rapid spread.
- The 2018 "Camp Fire" in California is an example of rapid wildfire spread in drought conditions.
- Butte County in California had not received more than half an inch of rain for seven months.
- The dryness, combined with winds of 35 miles per hour, led to one of the most devastating wildfires California's history.
- 14,000 buildings were destroyed and damage ran into the billions of dollars.
Climate Change and the Oceans
- Oceans play an important role in regulating the climate by acting as a heat and carbon sink.
- Over 90 percent of Earth's warming in the past fifty years has occurred in the oceans.
- This absorption of heat and carbon is causing ocean acidification.
- Ocean acidification dissolves the shells and skeletons of marine life, impacting marine organisms and coral reefs.
- Coral reefs provide critical habitat for marine life and are currently at risk.
- Increased seawater temperatures cause glaciers and ice sheets to melt, leading to sea level rise.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz explores the impact of climate change on global sea levels and its implications for agriculture. Learn about the rise in sea levels since 1880, the risk to coastal cities, and how climate change affects crop yields worldwide. Test your knowledge on these critical environmental issues.
