Climate Change

Question 1

What is the greenhouse effect

Answer 1

How green house gases in the atmosphere stop infrared radiation from escaping and absorb it and re-radiate it back towards earth which warms the atmosphere

Question 2

Examples of greenhouse gases

Answer 2

Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides, halocarbons

Question 3

How is methane produced

Answer 3

By anaerobic decay of organic matter in waterlogged conditions, decay of domestic waste in landfill sites, digestive systems of animals and incomplete combustion of fossil fuels

Question 4

Why is it not proven that increase in CO2 concen causes increase in temp and what is it instead

Answer 4

As it is only a correlation but is a widely accepted theory as supported by large amount of evidence

Question 5

Why is climate change a controversial issue

Answer 5

-science cannot prove theories but can only disprove them, could be alternative explanations
-incomplete knowledge of how the climate systems of our planet work and data sets used in making predictions have limitations eg no way to precisely measure how much CO2 added to atmos by fossil fuel combustion

Question 6

What are ethical arguments quoted when considering global warming

Answer 6

-we have right to choose ourselves whether or not we use fossil fuels to achieve a good standard of living
-we have a duty to allow other to improve their standard of living
-we have duty to preserve environ for the next gen

Question 7

Ways CO2 enters atmos

Answer 7

Respiration of decomposers and plants and animals, combustion of fossil fuels

Question 8

Ways CO2 removed from atmos

Answer 8

Photosynthesis by producers to form organic molecules