climate change Flashcards
is the long-term pattern of weather in an area.
Climate
is defined to be the state
of the atmosphere with respect to heat or cold, wetness or dryness, calm or storm, clearness, or
cloudiness (Merriam Webster Dictionary).
Weather
is the most variable part of the climate system. The
atmosphere
is the total amount of water on Earth. It includes water in lakes,
oceans, rivers, and any other bodies of water present.
The hydrosphere
The frozen parts of the earth, including snow, ice, and frozen ground also known as the
___________ is generally a consistent part of the climate system.
cryosphere
the physical features of a land surface, as well as the vegetation influence
climate by determining how the energy from the sun is used on earth.
Topography,
the sum of living things on earth, profoundly influences climate.
biosphere,
Through ___________, plants help regulate the flow of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
photosynthesis
Forests and oceans serve as ________________ that have a cooling impact on climate.
carbon sinks
_______________ is the average
air temperature over a specific
period of time, such as a day,
month, or year.
Average
Temperature
______________ is any liquid or frozen
water that forms in the atmosphere
and falls back to the earth. It comes in
many forms, like rain, sleet, and snow.
Precipitation
A mildly windy state of the air.
Windiness
is a measure of water
vapor in the air.
Humidity
is the fraction of the
sky that is covered by clouds, as
seen from a specific location.
Cloud Cover
is the force
exerted at any given point on the
Earth’s surface by the weight of the
air above that point.
Atmospheric
Pressure
A reduced visibility atmosphere
caused by a substance cloud
Fogginess
are small regions
within a general climate zone that
have their own unique climatic
conditions.
Microclimates
relies
on a region’s water budget and potential evapotranspiration.
Thornthwaite’s system
characterized by cold winters and low potential for
evapotranspiration.
Microthermal Climates
have moderate climates. They
are not cold enough to sustain a layer of winter snow but are also do not remain
warm to support plant flowering life.
Mesothermal Climates
____________ are hot and humid. These
regions have a high moisture index and support rich vegetation all year.
Megathermal climates
most popular system of classifying climates was proposed in 1900 by Russian-
German scientist Wladimir Koppen.
Koppen Classification System
are characterized by consistently warm temperatures throughout
the year and are primarily located near the equator.
Tropical climates
Another subtype, _____________, has warm
temperatures with distinct wet and dry seasons, as seen in the Serengeti in Africa
and areas of Brazil
tropical savanna
are divided into deserts and steppes, defined by low precipitation
levels.
Dry climates
Extremely arid regions, either hot
Desert
Semi-arid regions with slightly
more precipitation than deserts, often
grass-covered
Steppe
Hot, dry summers
and mild, wet winters
Mediterranean
Hot, humid
summers and mild winters with
consistent rainfall
Humid Subtropical
Mild
temperatures year-round with
high rainfall, especially in winter
Marine West Coast
exhibit greater temperature extremes between seasons,
typically occurring in interior land areas.
Continental climates
as seen in
the Midwest of the United States and parts of Eastern Europe, have hot summers
and cold winters with varying precipitation.
Humid continental climates,
found in Siberia
and northern Canada, feature short, mild summers and long, harsh winters
Subarctic climates,
are the coldest climate type, defined by persistently low
temperatures and minimal precipitation.
Polar climates
found in Arctic regions
and the fringes of Greenland, have cool summers and permafrost-covered ground.
Tundra climates,
such as those in Antarctica and the Greenland interior, are
perpetually cold and covered with ice and snow year-round (Kottek et al., 2006).
Ice cap climates,
are unique as they are determined more by elevation than
latitude.
highland climates
refers to long-term changes
in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns,
and other elements of the Earth’s climate
system.
Climate
Change
Volcanic eruptions
Solar variations
Orbital change
Natural
Climate Change
Burning of fossil fuels
Deforestation
Industrial processes
Agriculture
Waste management
Human-Induced
Climate Change
Sources of
Greenhouse Gas
Emissions
Fossil Fuels: Burning gasoline,
coal, and natural gas
(transportation, industry,
heating).
Deforestation: Cutting down
forests releases CO2.
Agriculture and Landfills:
Methane from livestock, rice
paddies, and waste.
The Earth is about _____°C warmer
than it was in the 1800s.
1.1
Scientists agree that
limiting warming to ___°C is crucial to
avoid the worst impacts of climate
change.
1.5
A growing number of countries are committing to this goal.
Net-zero by 2050:
involves strengthening resilience to climate impacts, such as rising
sea levels and extreme weather.
Adapting
