climate change Flashcards
what is an anthropocene?
a new unit of Earth’s history in which humans have changed earth’s characteristics
what are two events that are evidence for the anthropocene?
the columbian exchange
atomic weapons testing
what is the greenhouse gas emission contribution of CO2?
75%
what is the greenhouse gas emission contribution of fluorogases?
2%
what is the greenhouse gas emission contribution of methane?
17%
what is the greenhouse gas emission contribution of nitrous oxide?
6%
what is the greenhouse gas strength of CO2?
1
what is the greenhouse gas strength of fluorogases?
10 000
what is the greenhouse gas strength of methane?
30
what is the greenhouse gas strength of nitrous oxide?
600
what are the human activities that result in the emission of CO2?
burning fossil fuels
deforestation
what are the human activities that result in the emission of fluorogases?
aerosol cans
fridges
what are the human activities that result in the emission of methane?
agriculture
permafrost melting
what are the human activities that result in the emission of methane?
agriculture
permafrost melting
what are the human activities that result in the emission of nitrous oxide?
agriculture
burning fossil fuels
which countries produce the most carbon emissions and how many tonnes per year?
quatar- 36
uae- 23
usa- 15
how has earth’s climate changed naturally over time?
the orbit shape has changed which affects the amount of solar energy we get
the tilt angle has changed
what is the average global temperature now?
15°C
what was the average global temperature 20 000 years ago?
8°C
what is man made climate change called?
anthropogenic climate change
how does human activity affect the earth’s climate
it pushes earth’s climate system beyond limits
what are five things that are evidence for climate change?
drought
extreme heat
ice
oceans
storms
what is a positive feedback loop
when something happens which then repeats intenser and creates a viscous cycle
what is an example of a positive feedback loop?
permafrost melting
