Climate Change and Human Health

Question 1

Describe Climate.

Answer 1

• an aggregated pattern of weather

- averages, extremes, timing, spatial distribution of: temperature, humidity, storms, wind, visibility

Question 2

Describe Weather.

Answer 2

• they way the atmosphere is behaving over a short period of time
  can change minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour, day-to-day
  -temperature, humidity, precipitation, cloudiness, brightness, visibility, wind and atmospheric pressure

Question 3

Explain the Greenhouse Effect.

Answer 3

-natural phenomenon that helps regulate the Earth’s temperature.

(Please refer back to the picture in the packet)

Question 4

Describe the Evidence of Global Climate Change. (long answer)

Answer 4

• 11 out of the last 12 years rank are warmest years on record (since 1850)
• rising sea level-gobal average sea level has risen since 1961 at an average rate of 1.8 mm/yr and since 1993 3.1 mm/yr
• satellite data has shown that since 1978, arctic ice has shrunk at a rate of 2.7% per decade
• the observed increase in global temperature is VERY LIKELY due to anthropogenic GHG emissions
• with current policies, GHG will continue to grow. High agreement of much evidence. At current rates, further GHG release would lead to additional warming and greater changes in the environment

Question 5

Describe Impacts of GCC: Temperature/Heat.

Answer 5

• mild heat rashes to deadly heat stroke
• aggravate chronic diseases, like cardiovascular and respiratory disease
• increase ground-level ozone concentrations-> lung disease, asthma
• increased demand for electricity-> more combustion of fossil fuels-> air pollution
• droughts-> lack of clean water

Question 6

Define and describe Mitigation.

Answer 6

• how to avoid the unmanageable (how we stop something from happening)
• actions to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and to enhance sinks aimed at reducing the magnitude and extent of climate change

Question 7

Give an Example of Mitigation. (listed a lot of examples even though Dr. D is only asking for one example)

Answer 7

• energy supply- renewable energies, CO2 capture
• transport- fuel efficient vehicles, public transportation
• buildings- efficient lighting, appliances
• industry- material recycling, efficiencies
• agriculture- improved crop, gazing, land management, improved fertilizer
• waste- landfill methane recovery, composting, waste incineration with energy capture

Question 8

Define and describe Adaptation.

Answer 8

• how to manage the unavoidable (how to deal with whatever circumstances we have)
• initiatives and measures to reduce the vulnerability of natural and human systems against actual or expected climate change effects

Question 9

Give an Example of Adaptation. (listed a lot of examples even though Dr. D is only asking for one example)

Answer 9

• strengthening water conservation programs
• upgrading stormwater systems (when there is sewage overflows)
• developing early warning systems for extreme heat events (sensors that will warn people when there’s storms, floods, etc)
• preparing for stronger storms through better emergency preparation and response strategies

Question 10

What are greenhouse gases?

Answer 10

Gases that trap solar energy to make the surface temperature of the earth livable; includes CO2 and methane

Question 11

What is the most abundant greenhouse gas?

Answer 11

CO2

Question 12

What greenhouse gas is 23 times more potent than CO2?

Answer 12

methane