climate change Flashcards
what is weather?
weather is the condition in the atmosphere of a particular area at a particular point in time.
is weather long-term or short-term?
weather is short-term.
does weather change constantly?
yes, weather changes all the time.
how does weather vary?
weather varies from place to place
what are the four descriptions used to describe weather?
temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, pressure and winds
how is wind speed measured?
it is measured by an anemometer
how is wind direction measured?
it is measured by a wind vane
how is temperature measured?
it is measured using a thermometer
how is precipitation measured?
it is measured using a rain gauge
what does the average weather pattern from collected data give us?
the average weather pattern from collected data gives us climate.
how is climate defined?
climate is the weather pattern of a place over a long period of time, usually more than 30 years.
does climate change frequently?
no, climate seldom changes.
how can climates be classified?
climates can be classified by type and rainfall patterns.
name the three climate patterns.
the three climate patterns are tropical, temperate, and polar.
hat are the characteristics of a tropical climate?
- located between the latitudes of 30°N and 30°S
- have high temperatures of around 25-30°C
- experience high annual rainfall of around 2600mm a year
what are some examples of countries with tropical climates?
Singapore, Indonesia, India, and Brazil.
what are the characteristics of a temperate climate?
- located between the latitudes of 30°N/S and 60°N/S.
- have a temperature range from 0-25°C.
- experience the four seasons
- have moderate rainfall compared to tropical climates.
give examples of countries with temperate climates.
England, Italy, and China.
what is another name for a polar climate?
a polar climate is also known as the tundra climate.
what are the characteristics of a polar climate?
- located between the latitudes of 60°N/S and 70°N/S.
- temperatures below 0°C for most parts of the year
- low amounts of rainfall
- precipitation in the form of snow.
give examples of areas with a polar climate.
Antarctica, Greenland, and Iceland
how can climographs be used to describe climate?
climographs can be used to determine mean annual temperature, annual temperature range, and annual rainfall.
what does even rainfall distribution mean?
even rainfall distribution means a similar amount of rainfall is received every month.
when the climograph graph dips downwards, what hemisphere is it?
southern hemisphere
when the climograph graph dips upwards, what hemisphere is it?
northern hemisphere
what does uneven rainfall distribution mean?
uneven rainfall distribution means distinct wet and dry seasons.
how can you remember the direction of climate graphs in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
in the Southern Hemisphere, the cold temperatures are between June - August.
what is climate change?
climate change is the change in average conditions of a particular place over a long period of time.
is climate change the same as global warming?
no
what are the factors that contribute to climate change?
the changing of all of Earth’s climate factors
- temperature
- rain
- wind
- humidity
what is global warming?
global warming is the rise in average surface temperature of the Earth.
name the three anthropogenic factors that contribute to global warming
- burning fossil fuels
- deforestation
- agriculture
how does burning fossil fuels contribute to greenhouse gases?
burning fossil fuels such as
- coal
- oil
- gas
release extra carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere
what are some examples of countries with high fossil fuel consumption?
China, USA, Canada, and the UK.
what is the impact of burning fossil fuels on carbon emissions?
the world’s usage of fossil fuels has increased in recent years > releasing billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year.
how does deforestation contribute to greenhouse gases?
it reduces the number of trees and plants that absorb carbon dioxide > increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
what is the second-largest contributor of greenhouse gases?
deforestation
how does agriculture contribute to greenhouse gas emissions?
cattle ranching releasing methane
what is the third-largest contributor of greenhouse gases?
agriculture
what causes methane production in cattle?
it is produced when bacteria break down organic matter in the stomach
what is an example of the impact of agriculture on greenhouse gas emissions?
methane from cows accounts for over 30% of Argentina’s total greenhouse emissions.
how does urbanization contribute to greenhouse gas emissions?
large amounts of fossil fuels are burnt in urban areas > household activities and transportation.
what is the greenhouse effect?
the greenhouse effect is the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which trap heat and redirect it back to Earth, warming our planet.
what role does the atmosphere play in the greenhouse effect?
the atmosphere acts like a “blanket,” trapping heat by containing greenhouse gases.
why is the “natural greenhouse effect” important?
the natural greenhouse effect is essential for maintaining a suitable temperature on Earth by trapping some heat in the atmosphere.
what is the “enhanced greenhouse effect”?
the enhanced greenhouse effect occurs when an excessive amount of heat is trapped by the atmosphere, resulting in global warming
name six greenhouse gases.
carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, water vapor, and halocarbons
what is the primary source of carbon dioxide emissions?
burning of fossil fuels
what is carbon oxidation?
it is a process in which carbon in the soil reacts with oxygen in the atmosphere, producing carbon dioxide.
why are trees often cut down for agricultural purposes?
- to make products like paper and building materials
- clear land for mining, grazing, crops, and infrastructure.
what is the impact of changing land use on greenhouse gas emissions?
as the population increases, the conversion of land to urban/built-up areas contributes to greenhouse gas emissions
how do industries contribute to greenhouse gas emissions?
industries, especially manufacturing > release greenhouse gases through the burning of fossil fuels and by-products of production processes.
what is urbanization?
urbanization is the process of increasing urban living
how does urbanisation impact greenhouse gas emissions?
it leads to the burning of fossil fuels for household activities and transportation > contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
what is the significance of the greenhouse effect for Earth’s climate?
it helps maintain Earth’s temperature at a habitable level
however, excessive greenhouse gases can lead to global warming and climate change.
how do variations in solar output impact climate change?
variations in solar output
- increased solar radiation due to changes in the sun’s magnetic field
can influence Earth’s climate.
what are sunspots, and how do they relate to climate change?
sunspots are cooler regions on the sun’s surface associated with higher solar activity > can affect global temperatures.
what happens during volcanic eruptions in relation to climate change?
they release gases and particles into the atmosphere > can temporarily cool the Earth due to the reflection of solar energy.
what is global dimming, and how does it impact climate?
global dimming is the gradual reduction in the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface > can temporarily cool the planet.
what are mitigation measures?
mitigation measures are actions taken to reduce the severity or impact of climate change by decreasing the sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
how can transportation efficiency contribute to mitigation?
improving fuel efficiency in vehicles - increasing miles per gallon (mpg) reduces carbon emissions during driving.
what is transportation conservation, and how does it reduce emissions?
transportation conservation aims to - reduce the time spent on the road and the number of vehicles > lowering emissions
- increased use of public transportation also helps.
how can building efficiency contribute to mitigation?
improving building efficiency includes
- using alternative energy sources to insulate buildings
- reduce heating and energy use
all of which reduce carbon emissions.
how can individuals contribute to mitigation?
individuals can contribute by - switching to hybrid cars
- buying green energy
- having fewer children
to reduce carbon emissions
what actions can governments take at the national level to mitigate climate change?
- adopt clean energy sources - impose taxes on high-emission industries
- incentivize energy conservation
- conduct public education programs to raise awareness.
what are some international efforts to mitigate climate change?
the United Nations (UN) facilitating agreements and cooperation among countries > such as the Kyoto Protocol and Copenhagen Conference.
what is adaptation in the context of climate change?
adaptation involves taking practical actions to
- manage risks from climate impacts
- protect communities
- strengthen the resilience of the economy
to deal with unavoidable climate changes
what are some strategies for adapting to sea-level rise?
- retreating from shorelines
- flood-proof structures
- building levees, restoring natural habitats
- raising land before constructing buildings.
how does adaptation differ from mitigation?
adaptation > modifying decisions and activities to deal with the impacts of climate change mitigation > reducing the causes of climate change.
what are some potential benefits of climate change for certain regions?
some regions may experience - increased plant growth
- milder climates
- opportunities for shipping due to melting sea ice.
what impact does climate change have on polar bears?
climate change, with less ice and food > thinner polar bears
if sea ice disappears, polar bears may face extinction in the wild.
what are the advantages of mitigating climate change?
- prevent the next ice age
- reduce deaths from cold temperatures
- make regions more attractive to tourists.
