Climate Change Flashcards
What is the Greenhouse Effect?
Heat energy from the Sun passes through the atmosphere. The heat is reflected off Earth; some bounces back to space. The rest is trapped by the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This is known as the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is a natural process and keeps Earth warm enough to support life.
Example sentence: The greenhouse effect is essential for maintaining Earth’s temperature.
What are Greenhouse Gases?
Carbon dioxide, CO2
Methane, CH4
Nitrous oxide, N2O
Water, H2O
Additional information: Greenhouse gases play a crucial role in trapping heat in the atmosphere.
What is the Enhanced Greenhouse Effect?
In the last 150 years, farming, industrial developments, and the burning of fossil fuels have led to an increase of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere. The extra greenhouse gases are trapping extra heat, causing Earth’s temperature to rise. This is called the enhanced greenhouse effect.
Example sentence: The enhanced greenhouse effect is a result of human activities impacting the natural balance of greenhouse gases.
What is the Carbon Cycle?
The collection of pathways through which carbon is stored & recycled in the environment.
Additional information: The carbon cycle is essential for maintaining a balance in the carbon levels on Earth.
What are Carbon Sources?
Combustion, Respiration, Decomposition.
Additional information: Carbon sources release carbon into the atmosphere through natural processes.
What are Carbon Sinks?
Nutrition, Photosynthesis, Fossil fuels.
Additional information: Carbon sinks take carbon out of the atmosphere and store it for long periods.
Carbon source
A process that releases carbon into the atmosphere.
Example sentence: Burning fossil fuels is a common carbon source.
Carbon sink
A process that takes carbon out of the atmosphere & stores it.
Example sentence: Forests act as a natural carbon sink.
Global Warming
Refers to the long-term warming of the planet.
Example sentence: Global warming is a result of increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Greenhouse gases
Gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Example sentence: Carbon dioxide and methane are common greenhouse gases.
Climate Change
Any long-term change to the Earth’s climate, including snow, rain, storms & droughts.
Example sentence: Climate change is impacting ecosystems worldwide.
Effects of climate change
Various impacts of climate change including habitat loss, extreme weather, and ocean acidification.
Example sentence: The effects of climate change are becoming more evident.
Carbon footprint
The amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere by a person.
Example sentence: Calculating your carbon footprint can help you reduce your environmental impact.
Sustainability
Meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Example sentence: Sustainable practices aim to preserve resources for future generations.
