10 Questions
True or false: Climate change refers only to the current increase in global average temperature caused by human activity?
False
True or false: Climate change includes previous long-term changes to Earth's climate?
True
True or false: The current rise in global average temperature is slower than previous changes?
False
True or false: Greenhouse gases trap heat in Earth's lower atmosphere, causing global warming?
True
True or false: Climate change is not impacting the environment in any significant way?
False
Climate change describes global warming—the ongoing increase in global average temperature—and its effects on Earth's climate system.
In common usage
The current rise in global average temperature is primarily caused by humans burning ______
fossil fuels
Fossil fuel use, deforestation, and some agricultural and industrial practices add to ______
greenhouse gases
Greenhouse gases absorb some of the ______ that the Earth radiates after it warms from sunlight.
heat
Amplified warming in the Arctic has contributed to melting ______, glacial retreat and sea ice loss.
permafrost
Study Notes
Climate Change
- Describes global warming and its effects on the Earth's climate system
- Also includes previous long-term changes to the Earth's climate
Causes of Climate Change
- Primarily caused by humans burning fossil fuels
- Fossil fuel use, deforestation, and some agricultural and industrial practices add to greenhouse gases
- Notable greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide and methane
Effects of Greenhouse Gases
- Absorb heat that the Earth radiates after warming from sunlight
- Larger amounts of these gases trap more heat in Earth's lower atmosphere, causing global warming
Impacts of Climate Change
- Deserts are expanding
- Heat waves and wildfires are becoming more common
- Amplified warming in the Arctic has contributed to:
- Melting permafrost
- Glacial retreat
- Sea ice loss
- Higher temperatures are a consequence of climate change
Test your knowledge about climate change and its causes in this informative quiz. Explore the impacts of global warming and previous long-term changes to Earth's climate system. See how much you know about the role of fossil fuel usage in driving climate change.
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