Ch. 19: Global Climate Change

Question 1

Weather

Answer 1

atmospheric conditions over a short time

Question 2

Climate

Answer 2

result of long-term interactions between rock,

air, water, and ice

Question 3

Sun’s radiation:

Answer 3

if solar energy is absorbed, by atmosphere, its temperature rises

Question 4

Composition of atmosphere

Answer 4

– Water vapor
- Source of clouds and precipitation
• Can absorb heat and affect global climate
– Ozone
• Thin layer of gas concentrated in the stratosphere
• Absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation
– Aerosols: Tiny solid and liquid particles
–Smoke and soot from fires
–Ash and dust from volcanoes
–Can block sunlight from reaching Earth

Question 5

C02

Answer 5

Carbon dioxide (CO2)
• absorbs more of the sun’s longer wavelength energy
and heats up the atmosphere.
• burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and gasoline) releases
more carbon into the atmosphere, where it turns
into carbon dioxide.
-Methane
Less abundant than carbon dioxide, but more
effective at absorbing outgoing radiation.

Question 6

The “Greenhouse Effect”

Answer 6

Selective absorption and reheating of Earth that

results in heating the atmosphere

Question 7

“Icehouse”

“Greenhouse”

Answer 7

Global climate history has oscillated between warmer
and colder climates.
Warmer climates are called “Greenhouse” periods.
Colder climates are “Icehouse” periods.

Question 8

Natural Causes of Climate Change

Answer 8

• Plate Movements
– Landmasses move closer or further from the
equator
– Affects ocean circulation
Volcanic Activity and Climate Change
o The effect of volcanic aerosols on climate
oVolcanic ash and dust
oSulfuric acid droplets
• Orbital Variations: the Milankovitch cycle
– Changes in eccentricity, obliquity, and precession
cause fluctuations in distribution of solar radiation

Question 9

Recent Climate Change

Answer 9

Several temperature highs and lows occurred in the

last few million years

Question 10

Recent Instrumental Measurements of Climate Change:

Answer 10

The burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas releases more carbon into the
atmosphere, where it turns into carbon dioxide

Question 11

Measurements of atmospheric CO2 in Hawaii: Keeling

curves

Answer 11

Small up and down is seasonal, but overall trend shows an increase in atmospheric CO2 in the past 60 years.

Question 12

Ice cores record atmosphere composition for last 200,000 years can be analyzed
for:

Answer 12

Carbon dioxide and methane (air bubbles trapped in the ice)
 Dust, volcanic ash, pollen
 Oxygen isotopes
Lower 18O/16O ratios indicate cooler temperatures

Question 13

History

Answer 13

Temperature changes in earth history correspond to change in CO2 levels.
Rising CO2 Levels: highest in 800,000 years
Rate of warming is highest ever recorded.Forests and the oceans have absorbed ~1/2 of the anthropogenic CO2 but are now
overwhelmed.
Another effect of higher atmospheric CO2 increases the acidity of the oceans

Question 14

Sea level Changes:

Answer 14

Sea level is geologically unstable
Sea level has risen 25 centimeters since 1870.
Will affect low-lying countries and regions with a gently sloping shoreline
Sea level rise driven by:
Melting glaciers
Thermal expansion
More water in the atmosphere adds thermal energy to intensify weather