human impacts: climate control Flashcards
What is the main objective of SDG 13
To take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
How do weather and climate differ?
Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate refers to long-term patterns of weather.
What causes the enhanced greenhouse effect?
Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, increase greenhouse gases, which trap more heat in the atmosphere.
How does the greenhouse effect work?
The sun’s shortwave radiation heats the Earth.
The Earth re-radiates heat as infrared radiation.
Greenhouse gases trap some of this heat, warming the atmosphere.
What are the main greenhouse gases contributing to climate change?
Carbon dioxide (CO2): From burning fossil fuels, deforestation.
Methane (CH4): From agriculture, fossil fuel extraction, landfills.
Nitrous oxide (N2O): From fertilizers and industrial activities.
Water vapor (H2O): Naturally occurring, but influenced by human actions.
How can CO2 emissions be reduced?
Use renewable energy (solar, wind, etc.).
Improve energy efficiency.
Enforce stricter emissions laws.
Raise awareness and offer incentives for green choices.
How can methane emissions be reduced?
Stop leaks in fossil fuel production.
Improve waste management.
Reduce methane emissions from agriculture and use methane as fuel.
What are the main effects of climate change?
Rising temperatures: Projected increase of 1.4°C to 5.8°C by 2100.
Melting ice caps: Leads to rising sea levels and species extinction.
Ocean acidification: CO2 dissolves in seawater, lowering pH and harming marine life.
Extreme weather: More intense storms, droughts, and heatwaves.
Loss of biodiversity: Habitat shifts and species extinction.
Food and water shortages: Reduced agricultural productivity.
Spread of diseases: Warmer climates allow diseases to spread to new areas.
What are some broad solutions to address climate change?
International cooperation (e.g., COP26).
Stricter laws and incentives to reduce emissions.
Enhancing carbon sinks and carbon capture.
What individual actions can help combat climate change?
Reduce your carbon footprint (e.g., use less energy, travel sustainably).
Support activism for stronger government climate policies
What was the focus of COP26?
COP26 focused on limiting global warming to 1.5°C through international agreements on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
What is carbon sequestration?
Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide in natural carbon sinks such as forests, soils, and oceans to help mitigate climate change
