Climate Change Flashcards
How is weather different from climate?
Weather refers to the current atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place, like if it’s raining or sunny today
climate is the average weather pattern over a long period, usually decades, in a particular region
How is global warming different from climate change
Global warming” refers specifically to the rise in Earth’s average surface temperature, while “climate change” encompasses a broader range of changes in weather patterns and climate variables like precipitation, wind patterns, and sea levels
how is global warming similar to climate change
global warming is one symptom of the larger issue of climate change
Interpret the Keeling Curve- What is the trend and why the sinusoidal annual fluctuation?
clear upward trend in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations over time
CO2 levels rise during the winter months and fall during the summer, primarily due to the seasonal cycle of plant growth and decay in the Northern Hemisphere - more photosynthesis in Northern Hemisphere due to more land mass
What is the geologic/historical relationship between atmospheric CO2 and temperature
strong positive correlation, meaning that when CO2 concentrations rise, global temperatures generally increase as well
What is climate forcing?
a term used to describe factors that influence the Earth’s climate and energy balance , either by warming it or cooling it. It refers to changes in energy that affect the balance of the Earth’s climate system.
positive forcers
This warms the Earth increases heat energy in atmosphere
For example, greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide trap heat in the atmosphere, causing the Earth to warm up.
negative forcers
This cools the Earth by reducing amount of heat energy in atmosphere
- volcanic eruption
- increased albedo (snow & ice)
What is the greenhouse effect? Is it good or bad?
is like a blanket around Earth that keeps the planet warm. Here’s how it works:
The Sun shines and sends sunlight (energy) to Earth.
Earth absorbs the sunlight and warms up.
The Earth then sends some of that heat back into the air as infrared radiation (heat).
Greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor) in the atmosphere trap some of that heat, keeping it from escaping into space.
This trapped heat keeps Earth warm enough for life.
the greenhouse effect itself is considered a “good” thing because it naturally traps heat from the sun, allowing life to exist on Earth by maintaining a suitable temperature
What are the main gases in the atmosphere
nitrogen
oxygen
What is a greenhouse gas? What makes it a greenhouse gas specifically? What is the chemistry of greenhouse gases
a gas that traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere
it’s ability to absorb heat that is radiated from the Earth’s surface after it gets warmed by the sun. These gases then re-radiate the heat in all directions, including back toward the Earth.
have molecules that can vibrate when they absorb heat.
What is global warming potential?
describes how much impact a gas will have on atmospheric warming over a period of time compared to carbon dioxide
What gases have a higher GWP than CO2?
methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O),
What are some of the likely outcomes of current and future climate change?
rising sea levels
more frequent and intense extreme weather events like heatwaves and floods
droughts
disruptions to ecosystems and food security
melting glaciers and polar ice
increased wildfire occurrences
human health impacts
What evidence do we have that climate change is likely to have uneven impacts?
Higher latitudes are warming faster - show that the Arctic is warming at more than twice the global average rate, a phenomenon known as Arctic amplification
Regional temperature extremes - Some areas, especially desert regions, are experiencing higher temperature extremes, while others are facing milder winters.
shifting precipitation patterns - Certain regions are experiencing more intense rainfall, leading to floods, while others are seeing prolonged droughts
Positive feedback loop
a process that increases or amplifies a change, making it stronger.
As global temperatures rise, sea ice melts, exposing darker ocean water. The darker ocean absorbs more sunlight than ice, which causes the water to warm further. This warming accelerates the melting of more ice, continuing the cycle of warming and ice loss.
This loop amplifies the initial warming, leading to more rapid climate change in the Arctic.
negative feedback loop
is a process that counteracts a change, helping to keep things balanced.
Increased temperatures lead to more evaporation.
More water vapor in the atmosphere forms clouds.
Clouds reflect sunlight, reducing the amount of energy reaching the Earth’s surface.
This cooling effect partially offsets the warming, helping to regulate the climate.
How is climate change driven by positive feedback loops and can you detail a full example of this?
where an initial change in the climate system is amplified by a series of interconnected processes, leading to further warming or climate disruption. These feedbacks can accelerate the pace and intensity of climate change, creating a self-reinforcing cycle that is often difficult to reverse.
the melting of Arctic sea ice, which exposes darker ocean water that absorbs more heat, causing further melting and contributing to overall global warming
What is a transboundary problem?
a challenge that affects more than one country or region, crossing national borders
mitigation solutions
aims to reduce or prevent the causes of climate change
- renewable energy
- energy efficiency
- sustainable architecture
adaptation solutions
on adjusting to the inevitable changes that are already occurring or anticipated
- flood defenses
- disaster risk management
- ecosystem restoration
cause and effects of ozone layer
caused by the release of certain chemicals called ozone-depleting substances (ODS), most notably chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform
increased uv
global warming
policy addressed of ozone layer
montreal protocol
the protocol aimed to phase out the use of ozone-depleting substances (like CFCs and halons) and replace them with safer alternatives.
In what ways does how we addressed the ozone hole have implications for addressing climate change?
provides several key lessons and implications for tackling climate change, highlighting the importance of international cooperation, scientific collaboration, phased implementation, and technological innovation. These lessons can help guide and shape the strategies for addressing the climate crisis, which shares many of the same challenges as ozone depletion
