Chapter 1B: Climate Change Flashcards
refers to atmospheric conditions that occur locally over SHORT periods of time—from minutes to hours or days. Familiar examples include rain, snow, clouds, winds, floods or thunderstorms.
Weather
refers to the long-term regional or even global average of temperature, humidity and rainfall patterns over seasons, years or decades.
Climate
thin part of the Earth’s atmosphere that absorbs almost all of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet light.
Ozone layer
Ozone layer is made of __________, which is a molecule with three oxygen atoms.
ozone
Thinning of ozone layer due to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from refrigerants and plastic products.
Ozone depletion
Give 3 elements in chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Chlorine
Fluorine
Carbon
Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere
Greenhouse gases
Give 4 gases that make up the human enhanced greenhouse effect
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Methane (CH4)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O)
- Fluorinated gases
This gas is from burning fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil)
Carbon Dioxide
This gas is from agricultural and industrial activities, combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste.
Nitrous Oxide
This gas is from the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil.
This is also from livestock and other agricultural practices.
Methane
Referred to as high Global Warming Potential gases
Fluorinated gases
Caused by the warming of sea surface temperature in the Pacific and can affect air and sea currents.
Results in reduced rainfall that led to dry spells, droughts and stronger typhoons.
El Nino
characterized by unusually cold ocean temperature in the Equatorial Pacific which causes increased numbers of tropical storms in the Pacific Ocean.
brings plenty of rain
La Nina
Term means “Little Boy,” or “Christ Child” in Spanish
El Nino
