Climate Change Revision

Question 1

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Answer 1

Weather refers to the short-term changes in the atmosphere, whilst climate refers to long-term atmospheric changes, usually over many years.

Question 2

What is the natural greenhouse effect?

Answer 2

When greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb infrared radiation (heat) from the sun. Surfaces in the Earth re-emit the heat, and some infrared radiation encounter greenhouse gases, absorbed by them and released in a random direction.

Question 3

What are the four types of greenhouse gases?

(Casey Made New Words)

Answer 3

The four types of greenhouse gases are:

• Carbon Dioxide
• Methane
• Nitrous Oxide
• Water Vapour

Question 4

What percentage of the atmosphere do the greenhouse gases take up?

Answer 4

1% of the atmosphere is taken up by the four greenhouse gases.

Question 5

What is Earth’s energy budget all about?

Answer 5

Earth’s energy budget shows how energy flows into Earth and away from Earth.

Question 6

What is the primary source of energy for our Earth?

Answer 6

The Sun is the primary source of energy for Earth. Producers that start food chains produce their food with the help of sunlight, and is the star that runs the Earth’s energy budget.

Question 7

What percentage of energy gets reflected by clouds, dust and gases in the air and never makes it through the atmosphere?

Answer 7

25% of energy gets reflected by clouds, dust and gases in the air and never makes it through the atmosphere.

Question 8

What percentage of energy gets reflected by the surface due to the albedo effect back into the atmosphere?

Answer 8

About 5% of energy gets reflected by the surface due to the albedo effect back into the atmosphere.

Question 9

What percentage of energy gets absorbed by gases and particles in the atmosphere?

Answer 9

20% of energy gets absorbed by gases and particles in the atmosphere.

Question 10

What percentage of energy gets radiated from the surface back to the clouds and the atmosphere?

Answer 10

44% of energy gets radiated from the surface back to the clouds and the atmosphere.

Question 11

What is the total percentage of energy that gets radiated out into space?

Answer 11

A total of 64% of energy gets radiated out into space; 20% is absorbed by gases and particles in the atmosphere and 44% is radiated from the surface back to the clouds and atmosphere.

Question 12

What percentage of energy is absorbed by the Earth’s surface?

Answer 12

About 50% of energy is absorbed by the Earth’s surface, heating the land and water.

Question 13

What percentage of energy is radiated from Earth’s surface back into space?

Answer 13

6% of energy is radiated from Earth’s surface back into space.

Question 14

What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?

Answer 14

When the greenhouse effect’s warming gets enhanced due to extra carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere, which is due to human processes.

Question 15

What two human processes release carbon dioxide?

Answer 15

Combustion and Deforestation are the two human processes.

Question 16

How do Combustion and Deforestation release carbon dioxide.

Answer 16

Combustion involves destroying fossil fuels (which store carbon) for energy, and deforestation involves the destruction of trees and plants (which also store carbon).

Question 17

What is climate change?

Answer 17

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in global weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, leading to rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and environmental disruptions.

Question 18

How does climate change affect sea level rise?

Answer 18

Climate change affects sea level rise as an increasing average temperature leads to various forms of land ice, such as glaciers, around the Earth.

(Note: The melting of sea ice doesn’t contribute to sea level rise, as sea ice IS already contributing to the water’s mass)

Question 19

How does climate change affect the rate of bushfires?

Answer 19

The increase in temperatures increase bushfire rates, especially in tropical countries such as the Philippines.

Question 20

How does climate change affect the rate of extreme weather events?

Answer 20

The increase in global temperature is capable of altering the frequency, intensity, spread, duration, and timing of weather and climate extremes. An example is heatwaves, Australia’s deadliest natural hazard, which are capable of melting roads and ruining masses of crops and vegetation.

Question 21

How does climate change contribute to coral bleaching?

Answer 21

Climate change can cause hot summer sea-surface temperatures to rise. This causes the coral to get too stressed to the point where zooxanthellae, a coral’s main source of colour and energy, get expelled, leading to the bleaching of the coral.

Question 22

How is climate change detrimental to human health?

Answer 22

Climate change can affect the quality of an environment; from the amount of water available to the quality of soil and crops. Climate change can also affect mental health as favourite natural landscapes get destroyed due to climate change; especially true with landmarks that hold cultural significance.