exam 4 climate change Flashcards
What is the difference between weather and climate?
What is climatology and paleoclimatology?
What is “proxy” data?
o How is it different from direct data?
o What are our proxy data sources we can use to gage paleoclimate?
Know how oxygen isotopes are used to determine warm vs cold climates
How can the fossil record tell us information about paleoclimate?
o Marine fossils
o Plant & pollen fossils
What can the ice cores tell us about paleoclimate?
What are some things that can affect the atmosphere, and thus, climate?
Albedo
Greenhouse gases
what can cause changes in reflected vs. absorbed solar energy?
Greenhouse gases – how do they trap thermal energy close to the surface?
How can volcanoes affect global climate?
o What influence do normal volcanoes have on climate?
o What influences can the very rare LIP volcanoes have on climate?
Which greenhouse gas is of the most concern when it comes to anthropogenic climate
change?
o How does human activity add this to the atmosphere?
o How does it compare to natural levels?
What are some results we’ve seen and future predictions about warming climate and
climate change?
o Shifting climate belts
o Desertification
o Retreat of glaciers
o Sea level rise
o Ocean acidification
o Stronger hurricanes and storms
Shifting climate belts
Desertification
