Climate Change Explained

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Questions and Answers

Explain how an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration can lead to ocean acidification and describe one potential consequence for marine life.

Increased atmospheric CO2 dissolves in the ocean, forming carbonic acid, which lowers the ocean's pH. This acidification can hinder the ability of shellfish and corals to build and maintain their calcium carbonate shells and skeletons.

Describe how deforestation contributes to climate change, naming at least two specific mechanisms.

Deforestation reduces the number of trees available to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Burning trees during deforestation also releases stored carbon directly into the atmosphere, acting as a positive feedback loop.

Outline the difference between climate and weather, and provide an example illustrating this difference.

Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place, while climate describes long-term patterns of weather in a region. For example, a blizzard is weather, while the average winter temperature in Canada is climate.

Describe how melting permafrost contributes to a positive feedback loop in climate change.

Melting permafrost releases previously frozen organic matter, which decomposes and releases methane and carbon dioxide, both potent greenhouse gases, into the atmosphere. This accelerates warming, leading to more permafrost thaw. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how changes in land use, such as urbanization, can impact local temperatures and precipitation patterns.

Urbanization replaces vegetation with buildings and pavement, which absorb more solar radiation and increase surface temperatures, creating urban heat islands. This can also alter local wind patterns and precipitation. Signup and view all the answers

What are climate models, and why are they important for understanding future climate change scenarios?

Climate models are computer simulations of the Earth's climate system, using mathematical equations to represent physical processes in the atmosphere, oceans, and land. They're vital for projecting future climate scenarios under different greenhouse gas emissions pathways. Signup and view all the answers

Briefly describe the concept of radiative forcing and how it relates to greenhouse gases.

Radiative forcing is the measure of the change in the Earth's energy balance caused by a factor such as greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to a positive radiative forcing, causing warming. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how ice cores can provide historical data about Earth's climate.

Ice cores trap air bubbles containing atmospheric gases from the time the ice was formed. By analyzing these gases (e.g., CO2, methane) and isotopes in the ice, scientists can reconstruct past temperatures and atmospheric composition. Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of albedo relate to climate change, and what are two examples of surfaces with contrasting albedo?

Albedo is the measure of how much solar radiation a surface reflects. Surfaces with high albedo (e.g., snow, ice) reflect more sunlight, cooling the planet, while surfaces with low albedo (e.g., forests, asphalt) absorb more sunlight, warming the planet. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the difference between climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation, and provide one example of each.

Climate change mitigation involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow down or prevent further warming (e.g., transitioning to renewable energy). Climate change adaptation involves adjusting to the effects of climate change that are already happening or are expected to happen (e.g., building seawalls to protect against sea-level rise). Signup and view all the answers

Explain how changes in ocean currents, such as the Gulf Stream, could impact regional climates.

Ocean currents like the Gulf Stream transport heat around the globe. If the Gulf Stream weakens or shifts, it could lead to colder temperatures in Europe and alter precipitation patterns along its path. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in addressing climate change.

The IPCC is a leading international body for assessing climate change, providing comprehensive scientific assessments of the state of knowledge on climate change, its impacts, and potential response options. It synthesizes the work of thousands of scientists worldwide. Signup and view all the answers

What is a carbon footprint, and what are two actions individuals can take to reduce their carbon footprint?

A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases generated by our actions. Individuals can reduce their footprint by using public transportation instead of driving alone or by reducing meat consumption. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the concept of 'tipping points' in the context of climate change, and provide one potential example.

Tipping points are thresholds beyond which a change in a climate system becomes self-perpetuating and irreversible. An example is the collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Signup and view all the answers

How do aerosols in the atmosphere affect climate, and what are two examples of aerosols?

Some aerosols (e.g., sulfate aerosols from volcanic eruptions) reflect sunlight back into space, causing a cooling effect. Others (e.g., black carbon) absorb sunlight, causing a warming effect. The net effect of aerosols on climate is complex. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'greenhouse effect,' and how does it naturally regulate Earth's temperature?

The greenhouse effect is the process by which certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat radiating from Earth's surface. This process naturally warms the Earth, making it habitable. Without it, Earth would be too cold to support life. Signup and view all the answers

How can changes in agricultural practices contribute to either mitigating or exacerbating climate change?

Practices like no-till farming and cover cropping can help sequester carbon in the soil, mitigating climate change. Conversely, deforestation for agriculture and the use of nitrogen fertilizers can release greenhouse gases, exacerbating climate change. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of carbon sequestration and provide one example of a natural carbon sink.

Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. Forests are natural carbon sinks that absorb CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and store it in biomass and soil. Signup and view all the answers

Define the term 'sea-level rise' and describe two factors that contribute to it.

Sea-level rise is the increase in the average height of the ocean's surface. It's primarily caused by thermal expansion of seawater as it warms and by the melting of glaciers and ice sheets. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. What are the main goals of each?

The Kyoto Protocol was an international treaty that committed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Ocean Acidification Cause & Consequence

Deforestation's Impact on Climate

Deforestation reduces CO2 absorption and releases stored carbon, increasing atmospheric greenhouse gases.

Climate vs. Weather

Weather: short-term atmospheric conditions; Climate: long-term weather patterns. Ex: Blizzard (weather) vs. average winter temperature (climate).

Permafrost Feedback Loop

Melting permafrost releases organic matter that decomposes into methane and CO2, accelerating warming.