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(1) STS - First Semester > Module G > Flashcards

Module G Flashcards

1
Q

What is one of the most urgent challenges of our time?

A

Climate crisis

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2
Q

The climate crisis is driven largely by what?

A

Anthropogenic activities

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3
Q

What is long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns?

A

Climate change

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4
Q

This refers to the long-term (decades) average weather conditions of a particular region, typically averaged over a period of 30 years.

A

Climate

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5
Q

This encompasses temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind patterns, and atmospheric pressure

A

Climate

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6
Q

What’s the Scope and Predictability of Climate?

A

Scope: Regional or global
Predictability: Generally predictable

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7
Q

This refers to the short-term (days or weeks) conditions of the atmosphere at a specific place and time

A

Weather

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8
Q

This includes elements like temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, and cloud cover

A

Weather

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9
Q

What’s the Scope and Predictability of Weather?

A

Scope: Local
Predictability: Less predictable

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10
Q

Earth’s climate has undergone significant fluctuations throughout its history, alternating between periods of warmth and cold, often referred to as?

A

Interglacial and glacial periods,

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11
Q

These are periods of global cooling characterized by the expansion of ice sheets and glaciers

A

Ice age

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12
Q

These massive ice bodies can cover significant portions of continents.

A

Ice Age

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13
Q

The peak of the last ice age occurred around?

A

20,000 years ago

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14
Q

These are warmer phases between ice ages

A

Warm periods (Interglacials)

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15
Q

During these times, global temperatures rise, ice sheets retreat, and sea levels increase

A

Warm periods (Interglacials)

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16
Q

What is the name given to the last 11,700 years of the Earth’s history?

A

Holocene epoch

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17
Q

Variations in the Earth’s orbit, tilt, and precession influence the amount of solar radiation reaching different parts of the plane

A

Milankovitch Cycles

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18
Q

The concentration of these in the atmosphere can affect the Earth’s temperature.

A

Greenhouse gasses

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19
Q

The movement of these can influence ocean currents and climate patterns.

A

Plate tectonics

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20
Q

Volcanic activity

A

Large volcanic eruptions can release significant amounts of ash and gasses into the atmosphere, temporarily cooling the plane

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21
Q

This refers to the human-induced warming of the Earth’s climate system that has been observed since the pre-industrial period.

A

Anthropogenic Climate Change

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22
Q

What are the Evidence of Anthropogenic

A
  • Rising global temperatures
  • Melting glaciers and ice caps
  • Rising sea levels
  • Ocean acidification
  • Extreme weather events
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23
Q

This is a long-term trend of increasing average global temperatures

A

Rising global temperatures

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24
Q

This is a significant reduction in the mass of glaciers and ice sheets

A

Melting glaciers and ice caps

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25
Q

This refers to the expansion of ocean water due to warming and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets.

A

Rising sea levels

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26
Q

This refers to the increasing acidity of ocean waters due to the absorption of carbon dioxide

A

Ocean acidification

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27
Q

This means more frequent and intense heat waves, hurricanes, floods, and droughts.

A

Extreme weather events

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28
Q

What is the natural process that keeps our planet warm enough to support life?

A

Greenhouse effect

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29
Q

This occurs when gasses in the Earth’s atmosphere trap heat from the sun

A

Greenhouse effect

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30
Q

What does the greenhouse effect do?

A

These gasses act like a blanket, absorbing and re-emitting infrared radiation back towards the Earth’s surface

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31
Q

How does the greenhouse effect work?

A
  • Solar radiation reaches the Earth’s surface.
  • Some of this radiation is absorbed by the Earth and converted into heat.
  • The Earth re-emits this heat as infrared radiation.
  • Greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere absorb some of this infrared radiation, preventing it from escaping into space.
  • This trapped heat warms the planet.
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32
Q

What are the key greenhouse gases?

A
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2)
  • Methane (CH4)
  • Nitrous oxide (N2O)
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33
Q

This is produced by burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), deforestation, and industrial processes.

A

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

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34
Q

This is released from agriculture (rice cultivation, livestock), landfills, and fossil fuel extraction.

A

Methane (CH4)

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35
Q

This is emitted from agricultural activities, burning fossil fuels, and industrial processes

A

Nitrous oxide (N2O)

36
Q

Sea-level rise is primarily driven by two factors, what are they?

A

Thermal expansion and Melting ice

37
Q

This refers to oceans absorbing heat from the atmosphere, water molecules expand, causing the overall volume of the ocean to increase.

A

Thermal expansion

38
Q

This refers to the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, primarily in Greenland and Antarctica, adds more water to the oceans

A

Melting ice

39
Q

What are the Consequence of Sea-Level Rise?

A
  • Coastal erosion
  • Increased flooding
  • Saltwater intrusion
  • Loss of wetlands and coastal habitats
  • Displacement of populations
40
Q

This refers to the rising sea levels accelerating coastal erosion, threatening coastal infrastructure and communities.

A

Coastal erosion

41
Q

This refers to the coastal areas becoming more vulnerable to flooding, especially during storms and high tides.

A

Increased flooding

42
Q

This refers to the saltwater contaminating freshwater supplies in coastal regions, affecting agriculture and drinking water

A

Saltwater intrusion

43
Q

This means the rising sea levels lead to the loss of vital ecosystems.

A

Loss of wetlands and coastal habitats

44
Q

This refers to the coastal communities that may be forced to relocate due to rising sea levels

A

Displacement of populations

45
Q

What are the impacts of sea-level rise on marine life?

A
  • Habitat loss
  • Changes in salinity
  • Disruption of food chains
  • Ocean acidification
46
Q

This refers to the coastal wetlands, mangroves, and coral reefs are particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise.

A

Habitat loss

47
Q

This means increased saltwater intrusion affects marine organisms adapted to specific salinity levels.

A

Changes in salinity

48
Q

This refers to the alterations in marine ecosystems can disrupt the delicate balance of food chains.

A

Disruption of food chains

49
Q

This refers to the rising carbon dioxide levels increasing ocean acidity, harming marine organisms with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons.

A

Ocean acidification

50
Q

What does the Sea-level rise contribute to broader ecosystem changes, biodiversity loss, and species extinction?

A
  • Coral bleaching
  • Shifting species ranges
  • Loss of coastal habitats
51
Q

This refers to warmer ocean temperatures and ocean acidification lead to coral bleaching and death

A

Coral bleaching

52
Q

This refers to the many species that are unable to adapt to changing conditions and face range shifts or extinction.

A

Shifting species ranges

53
Q

This refers to mangroves, salt marshes, and wetlands are crucial habitats for numerous species, and their loss impacts biodiversity.

A

Loss of coastal habitats

54
Q

How does climate change, including sea-level rise, pose significant risks to human health?

A
  • Increased heat-related illnesses
  • Vector-borne diseases
  • Mental health impacts
  • Waterborne diseases
55
Q

This refers to the rising temperatures contributing to heatwaves and heat-related illnesses

A

Increased heat-related illnesses

56
Q

These changes in climate conditions can alter the range of disease-carrying insects.

A

Vector-borne diseases

57
Q

These climate-related disasters and displacement can lead to mental health issues.

A

Mental health impacts

58
Q

This refers to the flooding and contamination of water sources can increase the risk of waterborne diseases.

A

Waterborne diseases

59
Q

What are the different economic costs?

A
  • Infrastructure damage
  • Loss of property
  • Economic disruption
  • Migration and displacement
60
Q

This refers to the coastal infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings, is at risk.

A

Infrastructure damage

61
Q

This means rising sea levels can lead to property damage and loss

A

Loss of property

62
Q

This refers to coastal tourism and fisheries industries can be severely affected.

A

Economic disruption

63
Q

The costs of relocating coastal communities can be significant.

A

Migration and displacement

64
Q

What does Mitigation mean?

A

It refers to actions taken to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.

65
Q

What are the key strategies of Mitigation?

A
  • Renewable energy
  • Energy efficiency
  • Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
  • Afforestation and reforestation
  • Sustainable transportation
66
Q

This is the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power.

A

Renewable energy

67
Q

Improving the efficiency of buildings, transportation, and industrial processes to reduce energy consumption.

A

Energy efficiency

68
Q

Capturing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and industrial facilities and storing them underground.

A

Carbon capture and storage (CCS)

69
Q

Planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

A

Afforestation and reforestation

70
Q

Promoting public transport, cycling, and walking to reduce reliance on fossil fuel-powered vehicles.

A

Sustainable transportation

71
Q

This involves adjusting to the changing climate conditions

A

Adaptation

72
Q

What are the key strategies of Adaptation?

A
  • Infrastructure development
  • Agricultural practices
  • Water management
  • Disaster preparedness and response
  • Ecosystem-based adaptation
73
Q

This means building sea walls, flood defenses, and early warning systems to protect coastal communities.

A

Infrastructure development

74
Q

This means developing drought-resistant crops, improving irrigation systems, and adopting climate-smart agriculture.

A

Agricultural practices

75
Q

This means implementing water conservation measures, improving water storage, and managing water resources effectively.

A

Water management

76
Q

This means strengthening early warning systems and emergency response plans.

A

Disaster preparedness and response

77
Q

This means protecting and restoring natural ecosystems to provide protection against climate impacts.

A

Ecosystem-based adaptation

78
Q

How can individuals contribute to climate change mitigation?

A
  • Energy conservation
  • Sustainable transportation
  • Reducing waste
  • Dietary choices
  • Supporting sustainable businesses
79
Q

Reducing energy consumption at home by using energy-efficient appliances, insulating homes, and adjusting thermostats.

A

Energy conservation

80
Q

Choosing public transport, biking, walking, or carpooling whenever possible.

A

Sustainable transportation

81
Q

Recycling, composting, and minimizing consumption of single-use plastics.

A

Reducing waste

82
Q

Consuming less meat and dairy, as livestock production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

A

Dietary choices

83
Q

Choosing products and services from companies with a strong environmental record.

A

Supporting sustainable businesses

84
Q

What are the global agreements and policies to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change impacts?

A
  • The Paris Agreement
  • National climate policies
  • International cooperation
85
Q

A landmark international treaty aiming to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

A

The Paris Agreement

86
Q

Individual countries implement policies to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change, such as carbon pricing, renewable energy targets, and clean energy investments.

A

National climate policies

87
Q

Sharing knowledge, technology, and financial resources among countries is essential for effective climate action.

A

International cooperation

(1) STS - First Semester (4 decks)

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