10 Questions
What is the primary cause of the current rise in global average temperature?
The primary cause is humans burning fossil fuels.
What are some human activities that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions?
Fossil fuel use, deforestation, and some agricultural and industrial practices.
How do greenhouse gases contribute to global warming?
Greenhouse gases absorb some of the heat that the Earth radiates after it warms from sunlight. Larger amounts of these gases trap more heat in Earth's lower atmosphere, causing global warming.
What are some impacts of climate change on the environment?
Deserts are expanding, heat waves and wildfires are becoming more common, amplified warming in the Arctic has contributed to melting permafrost, glacial retreat, and sea ice loss.
What is the broader sense of climate change and what does it include?
In a broader sense, climate change includes previous long-term changes to Earth's climate.
What is climate change in common usage?
Climate change in common usage describes global warming—the ongoing increase in global average temperature—and its effects on Earth's climate system.
What primarily causes the current rise in global average temperature?
The current rise in global average temperature is primarily caused by humans burning fossil fuels.
What are some human activities that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions?
Fossil fuel use, deforestation, and some agricultural and industrial practices contribute to greenhouse gases, notably carbon dioxide and methane.
What are some impacts of climate change on the environment?
Climate change is causing a range of increasing impacts on the environment, including expanding deserts, more common heat waves and wildfires, melting permafrost, glacial retreat, and sea ice loss.
What do greenhouse gases do to the Earth's lower atmosphere?
Greenhouse gases absorb some of the heat that the Earth radiates after it warms from sunlight, trapping more heat in Earth's lower atmosphere and causing global warming.
Study Notes
Climate Change
- The primary cause of the current rise in global average temperature is the increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, primarily carbon dioxide, which trap heat from the Sun.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Human activities that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions include:
- Burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) for energy
- Deforestation and land-use changes
- Agriculture and livestock production
- Industrial processes and waste management
Global Warming
- Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation, trapping heat in the Earth's lower atmosphere, leading to global warming.
Environmental Impacts of Climate Change
- Climate change has significant impacts on the environment, including:
- Rising sea levels and melting of polar ice caps
- Changes in precipitation patterns, leading to droughts and floods
- Shifts in species distribution and extinction
- Disruptions to food production and supply chains
Broader Sense of Climate Change
- In a broader sense, climate change includes not only rising temperatures but also:
- Changes in precipitation patterns
- Increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events
- Ocean acidification and sea-level rise
Climate Change in Common Usage
- In common usage, climate change typically refers to the long-term warming of the planet, particularly since the mid-20th century.
Test your knowledge on climate change with this insightful quiz. Explore the causes, effects, and solutions to the global warming phenomenon.
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