Climate Change Unit 4: Understanding the Greenhouse Effect

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What is the primary function of the greenhouse gases in the Earth's climate system?

To absorb heat from the sun
To trap heat from the Earth's surface (correct)
To influence the Earth's magnetic field
To regulate the Earth's rotation

What is the main purpose of a greenhouse?

To study the greenhouse effect
To conserve water
To grow plants, especially in the winter (correct)
To generate electricity

Which of the following is NOT a natural process that produces greenhouse gases?

Growth and death of plants and animals
Decaying of wood and other biodegradable materials
Water cycle
Industrial activities (correct)

What is the term used to describe the rise in global temperature due to the process of trapping heat from the Earth's surface?

Greenhouse effect (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of the greenhouse effect?

It traps heat from the Earth's surface and re-emits it downwards (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following greenhouse gases is produced by volcanic activities?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the average temperature of the Earth due to the natural greenhouse effect?

15°C (D) Signup and view all the answers

What would be the Earth's average surface temperature without the greenhouse effect?

-15°C (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

Industrialization and modern lifestyle (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the increase in the greenhouse effect due to human activities?

Enhanced greenhouse effect (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of global warming today?

Human activities (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the combustion of fossil fuels during the Industrial Revolution?

More carbon dioxide emissions (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor controlling climate change?

The balance of energy between the Earth and its atmosphere (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the UNFCCC, what is the primary cause of climate change?

Human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between climate change and climate variability?

Climate change refers to a change in the mean state of the climate, while climate variability refers to variations in the mean state and other statistics (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of the climate system?

The moon (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the time scale of climate variability?

Decades or longer (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which organization defines climate change as 'any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity'?

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between weather and climate?

Weather is short-term, while climate is long-term (A) Signup and view all the answers

Is it possible to stop climate change from happening if we stop emitting greenhouse gases now?

Maybe, but it would require a significant reduction in emissions (C) Signup and view all the answers

Is Typhoon Yolanda a direct result of climate change?

It's unclear, more research is needed to determine the cause (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why it's difficult to predict weather from day to day?

Because of the natural variability of the weather (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the greenhouse effect, and is it good for the planet?

A natural process that traps heat, and it's bad for the planet (D) Signup and view all the answers

Is climate change a part of the natural cycle of the Earth's climate?

Maybe, but human activities have amplified the natural cycle (B) Signup and view all the answers