18 Questions
What determines the temperature of Earth?
The amount of sunlight Earth receives and the atmospheric retention of re-radiated heat
What is the main reason for the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere?
Agriculture, deforestation, and burning of fossil fuels
What would happen to the Earth's surface if there was no greenhouse effect?
Most of the surface water would be frozen
What is the main function of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
To absorb infrared radiation from the Earth's surface
What has been the trend in carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere over the past few centuries?
A rapid increase
What is the term for the natural phenomenon that occurs on Earth and other planets, where certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat?
The greenhouse effect
What is the effect of atmospheric aerosols on air mean temperature in the USA?
A decrease of around 1°C
What is the consequence of drought on the global warming process?
It accelerates global warming due to the decrease in growth of trees and other plants.
What is the effect of particles of ash and sulfur dioxide on incoming solar radiation?
They scatter incoming solar radiation, counterbalancing the effect of greenhouse gases.
What is the projected consequence of global warming on glaciers?
They will shrink rapidly.
What is the impact of wildfires on the atmosphere?
They add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
What is the consequence of global warming on ecosystems?
They will collapse and become less diverse.
What is the primary cause of a rise in Earth's temperature, according to the concept of radiative forcing?
The Earth receives more incoming energy from sunlight than it radiates to space
What period of climate history is associated with increased solar radiation?
The Medieval Warm Period
What is the primary mechanism by which volcanic eruptions influence the climate?
The reflection of sunlight by aerosols
What is the observed trend in the troposphere and stratosphere since 1975 that contradicts the expectation of a hotter sun?
The troposphere has warmed while the stratosphere has cooled
What is the role of solar variation in climate change over geological timescales?
It is the main driver of climate change over geological timescales
What is the outcome of a negative radiative forcing?
A net loss of energy and cooling
Test your knowledge on global warming and climate change, including historical records and geologic evidence. Learn about the average temperature over the last 1000 years and more.
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