Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the difference between weather and climate?
Which of the following best describes the difference between weather and climate?
- Weather refers to long-term atmospheric conditions, while climate refers to short-term conditions.
- Weather is measured over long spans of time, while climate can change rapidly.
- Weather is the average of atmospheric conditions over a limited area, while climate is the condition at a specific point.
- Weather is short term and in a limited area that can change rapidly, while climate is long term and over a wide area. (correct)
Which of the following is an example of an abiotic factor that affects climate?
Which of the following is an example of an abiotic factor that affects climate?
- Photosynthesis
- Latitude (correct)
- Transpiration
- Digestion
Why are greenhouse gases considered essential to Earth's climate?
Why are greenhouse gases considered essential to Earth's climate?
- They reflect all solar radiation back into space, maintaining a constant temperature.
- They block all solar radiation from reaching the Earth's surface to prevent overheating.
- They absorb all infrared radiation emitted by the Earth, preventing any heat loss.
- They trap some infrared radiation, warming the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere. (correct)
Based on the information provided, how would the average temperature of Earth potentially be affected if there were no greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
Based on the information provided, how would the average temperature of Earth potentially be affected if there were no greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
What is the primary cause of the alteration of the greenhouse gas content in the atmosphere that leads to global warming?
What is the primary cause of the alteration of the greenhouse gas content in the atmosphere that leads to global warming?
Which of the following provides evidence of climate change from Earth's past atmosphere?
Which of the following provides evidence of climate change from Earth's past atmosphere?
What trend is indicated by tree ring data regarding climate change?
What trend is indicated by tree ring data regarding climate change?
Which of the following is an observed effect of climate change on plant and animal life?
Which of the following is an observed effect of climate change on plant and animal life?
In the context of greenhouse gas emissions, what is the contribution of the 'Industrial Processes' sector?
In the context of greenhouse gas emissions, what is the contribution of the 'Industrial Processes' sector?
Why is the combustion of fossil fuels considered a significant factor in the increase of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere since the industrial revolution?
Why is the combustion of fossil fuels considered a significant factor in the increase of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere since the industrial revolution?
Which action would directly reduce methane emissions related to agriculture?
Which action would directly reduce methane emissions related to agriculture?
What is a practical first step that should be taken to address climate change, as suggested?
What is a practical first step that should be taken to address climate change, as suggested?
What is the role of the average person in addressing climate change?
What is the role of the average person in addressing climate change?
Repairing weather stripping around doors and windows directly helps to:
Repairing weather stripping around doors and windows directly helps to:
Besides taking shorter showers, what's another way you can cut down on hot water use?
Besides taking shorter showers, what's another way you can cut down on hot water use?
How does cleaning out the junk in your car's trunk help to conserve fuel?
How does cleaning out the junk in your car's trunk help to conserve fuel?
What is the primary environmental benefit of using compact fluorescent light bulbs?
What is the primary environmental benefit of using compact fluorescent light bulbs?
Choosing products that have less packaging directly contributes to:
Choosing products that have less packaging directly contributes to:
Which action directly helps to reduce waste?
Which action directly helps to reduce waste?
How can using a refillable travel mug or water bottle contribute to environmental conservation?
How can using a refillable travel mug or water bottle contribute to environmental conservation?
Which of the following planets has a very hot average temperature due to abundant greenhouse gases?
Which of the following planets has a very hot average temperature due to abundant greenhouse gases?
How do scientists use ice cores to gather information about Earth's past climate?
How do scientists use ice cores to gather information about Earth's past climate?
Why is it more effective to adjust your clothing instead of the thermostat to conserve energy?
Why is it more effective to adjust your clothing instead of the thermostat to conserve energy?
What explains the cause and effect relationship between increased carbon dioxide levels and past climates on Earth?
What explains the cause and effect relationship between increased carbon dioxide levels and past climates on Earth?
How does supporting public transportation contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
How does supporting public transportation contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
If scientists are studying temperature variation and $CO_2$ concentration from ice core samples, which of the following would be a valid conclusion?
If scientists are studying temperature variation and $CO_2$ concentration from ice core samples, which of the following would be a valid conclusion?
Given the data about the European butterfly species that have shifted their ranges northward by as much as 150 miles in response to climate, which of the following is a valid general conclusion?
Given the data about the European butterfly species that have shifted their ranges northward by as much as 150 miles in response to climate, which of the following is a valid general conclusion?
Based on the relationship between greenhouse gases and temperature, what would be the predicted effects of high and low greenhouse gases?
Based on the relationship between greenhouse gases and temperature, what would be the predicted effects of high and low greenhouse gases?
Given that nitrous oxide is produced by cars, fossil fuels, and agriculture, which of the following actions would likely reduce nitrous oxide?
Given that nitrous oxide is produced by cars, fossil fuels, and agriculture, which of the following actions would likely reduce nitrous oxide?
Which of the following scenarios would be most effective in addressing climate change?
Which of the following scenarios would be most effective in addressing climate change?
Knowing that a blanket on a hot water heater will conserve hot water, which of the following is a valid plan to further save hot water?
Knowing that a blanket on a hot water heater will conserve hot water, which of the following is a valid plan to further save hot water?
Which of the following actions will result in the greatest impact on conserving fuel and reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
Which of the following actions will result in the greatest impact on conserving fuel and reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
Flashcards
What is Weather?
What is Weather?
Short term atmospheric conditions in a limited area that can change rapidly and are difficult to predict.
What is Climate?
What is Climate?
The average of many years of weather observation over a wide area with seasonal changes, measured over long spans of time.
What are Abiotic Factors?
What are Abiotic Factors?
Non-living factors influencing climate, such as latitude, altitude, ocean currents, topography, solar radiation, evaporation, orbital variations, and volcanic activity.
What are Biotic Factors?
What are Biotic Factors?
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What are Greenhouse Gases?
What are Greenhouse Gases?
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What is the Greenhouse Effect?
What is the Greenhouse Effect?
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What are the main natural Greenhouse Gases?
What are the main natural Greenhouse Gases?
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What is Global Warming?
What is Global Warming?
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What are the major evidences of Climate Change?
What are the major evidences of Climate Change?
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Why is the combustion of fossil fuels bad?
Why is the combustion of fossil fuels bad?
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What is Nitrous Oxide produced by?
What is Nitrous Oxide produced by?
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How to Conserve Energy With Heating and Cooling?
How to Conserve Energy With Heating and Cooling?
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How can you conserve hot water?
How can you conserve hot water?
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How to Conserve Energy In The Car?
How to Conserve Energy In The Car?
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How can you conserve electricity?
How can you conserve electricity?
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How can you reduce waste?
How can you reduce waste?
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What is weather?
What is weather?
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What is climate?
What is climate?
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What happens to planets with abundant greenhouse gasses?
What happens to planets with abundant greenhouse gasses?
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What happens to planets with little greenhouse gasses?
What happens to planets with little greenhouse gasses?
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What causes increased atmospheric CO2?
What causes increased atmospheric CO2?
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What human activities generate Methane?
What human activities generate Methane?
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Study Notes
- Weather and climate are different concepts
Weather Defined
- Weather is short term
- Weather affects a limited area
- Weather can change rapidly
- Weather is difficult to predict
- Weather is what is happening outside right now
Climate Defined
- Climate is long term
- Climate affects a wide area
- Climate involves seasonal changes
- Climate is measured over long spans of time
- Climate is the average of many years of weather observation
Factors Affecting Climate
Abiotic Factors
- Latitude is a factor
- Altitude is a factor
- Ocean currents are a factor
- Topography is a factor
- Solar radiation is a factor
- Evaporation is a factor
- Orbital variations are a factor
- Volcanic activity is a factor
Biotic Factors
- Transpiration is a factor
- Respiration is a factor
- Photosynthesis is a factor
- Decomposition is a factor
- Digestion is a factor
Greenhouse Gases
- Greenhouse gases are essential to climate
- Solar radiation passes through the clear atmosphere
Greenhouse Effect
- Some solar radiation is reflected by the Earth and the atmosphere
- Some infrared radiation passes through the atmosphere and is absorbed and re-emitted by greenhouse gasses, warming the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere
- Most radiation is absorbed by the Earth's surface, which warms it
- Infrared radiation is emitted from the Earth's Surface
Planets & Greenhouse Effect
- Planets with very little greenhouse effect are very cold
- Pluto's average temperature is -370° F
- Planets with little greenhouse effect have huge temperature swings
- Mars has about a 300° F temperature difference between high and low
- Planets with abundant greenhouse gasses are very hot
- Venus has an average temperature of about 855° F
Earth
- Earth is described as "just right" in terms of greenhouse gasses
- Earth may not stay this way
Natural Greenhouse Gasses
- A number of greenhouse gasses occur naturally
- Water vapor is an example of a greenhouse gas
- Carbon dioxide is an example of a greenhouse gas
- Methane is an example of a greenhouse gas
- Nitrous oxide is an example of a greenhouse gas
Temperature Without Greenhouse Gasses
- Without greenhouse gasses, Earth's average atmospheric temperature would be about -18° C or about 0° F
Global Warming
- The greenhouse gas content of the atmosphere is being altered by human activity
- The result of human activities altering greenhouse gasses is global warming
Evidence of Climate Change
- Evidence of climate change comes from many different sources
- Glaciers are melting away worldwide
- Ice cores yield information and actual samples of Earth's past atmosphere
- Tree ring data shows a warming trend
- Animal and plant life is changing
Regional Climate Change Example
- 48 continental states experienced above-normal annual temperatures in 2006
- For the majority of states, 2006 ranked among the 10 hottest years since 1895
Sector Contributions to Greenhouse Gases
- The annual greenhouse gas emissions by sector are as follows
- Industrial processes contribute 16.8%
- Power stations contribute 21.3%
- Transportation fuels contribute 14.0%
- Waste disposal and treatment contribute 3.4%
- Agricultural byproducts contribute 12.5%
- Land use and biomass burning contribute 10.0%
- Fossil fuel retrieval, processing, and distribution contribute 11.3%
- Residential, commercial, and other sources contribute 10.3%
Greenhouse Gas Compositions
- Greenhouse gasses by total percentage are as follows
- Carbon dioxide contributes 72%
- Methane contributes 18%
- Nitrous oxide contributes 9%
Who Creates Greenhouse Gasses
- Energy, agriculture, and waste processes all contribute to greenhouse gas emissions
Carbon Dioxide
- The Earth was much warmer in the distant past
- High levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere fueled lush growth
- Some of this lush growth was stored in the form of fossil fuels
- Carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere has risen by about 30% since the beginning of the industrial revolution
- Most of the carbon dioxide increase is due to the combustion of fossil fuels
- Combustion of fossil fuels releases the long-stored CO2 back into the atmosphere
Methane
- Methane is released via coal mining, landfills, and agriculture
- Methane can be released in agriculture through the digestive processes of beef and milk cows
Nitrous Oxide
- Nitrous oxide is produced by cars
- Nitrous oxide is produced by fossil fuels used for heat and electricity
- Nitrous oxide is produced by agriculture
Climate Change Solutions
- First everyone must admit that climate change is everyone's problem
- Individual lifestyles must change
- No agency, government, or scientist can fix climate change alone
Home Heating and Cooling Solutions
- Install programmable thermostats
- Check and repair weather stripping on doors and windows
- Adjust clothing instead of the thermostat
- Keep furnace and AC filters clean
- Consider closing off unused rooms
- Install insulated drapes
- Plant deciduous trees on the sunny side of the home
Water Consumption Solutions
- Take shorter showers
- Install low flow shower heads
- Install a blanket on the hot water heater
- Insulate hot water pipes
- Wash laundry in cold water
- Only run the dishwasher if it's full
- Fix leaky faucets
Reduce Vehicle Gas Use
- Plan ahead with errands
- Walk or bike
- Clean out vehicle trunks to improve mileage
- Make sure engines are properly tuned
- Keep tires properly inflated
- Carpool or ride the school bus
- Support public transportation
- Consider a smaller car or a hybrid for the next vehicle purchase
Conserve Electricity
- Unplug chargers for cell phones and other appliances when not in use
- Turning lights and appliances off when not needed
- Vacuum the coils on the back of the fridge monthly
- Change to compact fluorescent bulbs
- next computer a laptop
- Install timers or motion sensors on outdoor lights
Reduce Waste
- Recycle
- Buy recycled products
- Choose products that have less packaging
- Reuse, repair, or donate items
- Only buy items when they are needed
- Carry cloth bags when shopping
- Use a refillable travel mug or water bottle
- Give your time instead of material gifts or donate to charity
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