4.4 Climate change Flashcards
What are the most significant greenhouse gases?
Carbon dioxide and water vapor are the most significant greenhouse gases.
Is ozone depletion the cause of the intensified greenhouse effect?
No, ozone depletion is not the cause of the intensified greenhouse effect.
Besides carbon dioxide and water vapor, which other gases impact the greenhouse effect but to a lesser extent?
Methane and nitrogen oxides also impact the greenhouse effect but to a lesser extent.
On what does the impact of a greenhouse gas depend?
The impact of a greenhouse gas depends on its ability to absorb longwave radiation and its concentration in the atmosphere.
What type of radiation does the Earth emit after being warmed?
The Earth emits longer wavelength radiation (heat) after being warmed.
How do greenhouse gases affect Earth’s temperature?
Greenhouse gases absorb longer wavelength radiation, retaining heat in the atmosphere, and thus affect Earth’s temperature.
What is the correlation between atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and global temperatures?
There is a correlation between rising atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide since the industrial revolution and average global temperatures.
What are the main sources of recent increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide?
Recent increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide are largely due to increases in the combustion of fossilized organic matter.
How are coral reefs threatened by increased concentrations of dissolved carbon dioxide?
Coral reefs are threatened by increased concentrations of dissolved carbon dioxide because it leads to ocean acidification, affecting coral calcification and health.
Evaluate the claim that human activities are not causing climate change.
Scientific consensus and evidence show a clear link between human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, and climate change, challenging claims against human-caused climate impacts.
How does the ability of a gas to absorb longwave radiation affect its impact on the greenhouse effect?
The impact of a gas on the greenhouse effect depends on its ability to absorb longwave radiation; gases that can absorb more longwave radiation contribute more to the greenhouse effect.
Why are global temperatures and climate patterns influenced by concentrations of greenhouse gases?
Concentrations of greenhouse gases influence global temperatures and climate patterns because these gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, altering weather patterns and temperature distributions.
What demonstrates the correlation between CO2 concentrations and global temperatures since the industrial revolution?
The steady increase in atmospheric CO2 concentrations alongside a rise in average global temperatures since the start of the industrial revolution 200 years ago demonstrates this correlation.
How are recent increases in atmospheric CO2 mainly produced?
Recent increases in atmospheric CO2 are mainly produced by the combustion of fossil fuels for energy and transportation, deforestation, and other human activities.
What is the relationship between global temperatures and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations?
There is a direct correlation between global temperatures and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations; as CO2 levels rise, global temperatures tend to increase, indicating a warming planet.
