Questions and Answers
The amount of heat received from the sun and the amount of heat the earth radiated out to space is more or less the same in the long run; nature is in ______.
equilibrium
Carbon dioxide in the air can hinder heat from radiating back to ______.
space
If the amount of carbon dioxide in the air increases, the capability of the earth to shed excess heat will ______.
reduce
The term for the rise in the earth's temperature due to increased carbon dioxide is known as ______.
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Electrical power companies burn coal, petroleum or natural gas to generate ______.
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Reducing the number of trees leads to less absorption of carbon dioxide and results in a rise in the earth's ______.
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The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicted a climatic warming trend of ______ degrees Celsius per decade.
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The report compiled by 1250 expert authors from 130 countries provides a rigorous assessment of published and peer-reviewed research on ______.
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Climate change can be caused by natural variability or as a result of human ______.
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Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), trap heat in the ______.
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The Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that the observed increase in temperature is likely due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas ______.
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Ocean acidification occurs when carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater and forms a weak ______ acid.
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Burning fossil fuels adds CO2 to the atmosphere, raising current levels to the highest amount in the last ______ years.
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The heat content of the Earth's surface primarily comes from the ______.
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Increasing carbon pollution is leading to rising global sea ______.
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Scientists agree that the worst effects of climate change can be avoided by reducing pollution to an acceptable ______.
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Study Notes
Definition of Climate Change
- Climate change refers to alterations in climate over time due to natural variability or human activities.
- Natural variability is influenced by interactions among the atmosphere, oceans, land, and solar radiation changes.
Evidence from Geological Record
- Historical climate changes have been documented in the geologic record.
Human-Induced Climate Change
- Fossil fuel combustion (oil, coal, natural gas) significantly increases carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere.
- Current CO2 levels are the highest in 650,000 years.
- The Fourth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) asserts most temperature increases since the mid-20th century are likely due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations.
Impacts of Climate Change
- Notable changes include rising global average temperatures, melting snow and ice, and rising sea levels.
- Increased heat affects atmospheric and oceanic circulation, influencing weather patterns.
Ocean Acidification
- Approximately 25% of human-generated CO2 is absorbed by oceans, forming carbonic acid.
- Ocean acidification negatively impacts marine organisms, with some showing early signs of distress.
Equilibrium and Global Warming
- The Earth’s temperature is primarily influenced by solar radiation, with a balance between absorbed heat and radiated heat.
- CO2 prevents the escape of heat from the Earth, acting as a thermal blanket, which contributes to global warming as CO2 concentrations rise.
Daily Activities Impacting Climate
- Electricity generation from fossil fuels contributes to increased CO2 emissions.
- Deforestation for paper and wooden products reduces the number of trees that can absorb CO2, exacerbating the problem.
Consensus on Climate Change
- The majority of scientists agree human activities have significantly contributed to climate change, raising global temperatures.
- Climate change has been validated by scientific organizations globally, correlating with a warming trend of 0.2 degrees Celsius per decade, as predicted by the IPCC.
- The warmest decade on record was 2000-2009; temperatures were higher than the previous decades.
- Carbon dioxide levels, global temperature, and sea level changes align with IPCC projections outlined in their Fourth Assessment Report, incorporating findings from extensive peer-reviewed research.
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Description
This quiz explores the concept of climate change, including its definitions as per the IPCC and its natural variability. Understand how human activities contribute to climate conditions and the historical context from geological records. Test your knowledge on the critical aspects of climate change and its broader implications.
