Mysterious SS Flashcards
What time period did humans live through before the Holocene, and when did the transition occur?
Humans lived through the Pleistocene Ice Age until about 11,700 years ago, transitioning into the Holocene.
What significant advancements have humans made over the last 10,000 years?
Over the last 10,000 years, humans have built civilizations, invented various technologies, and even traveled to the moon.
What are fossil fuels, and how do they impact climate change?
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and gas, are burned for energy, which drives contemporary climate change by releasing greenhouse gases.
What is Earth System Science (ESS) and its purpose?
Earth System Science (ESS) studies Earth as an integrated system of interacting components.
Name the four subsystems of Earth in Earth System Science (ESS).
The four subsystems are the geosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air), and biosphere (living organisms).
What are “forcings” in the context of Earth’s climate?
Forcings are natural and human factors that influence Earth’s climate, impacting energy balances and weather patterns.
How does solar energy function as a climate forcing?
Changes in the amount of solar energy Earth receives can influence the planet’s climate by warming or cooling it.
What impact do volcanoes have on climate forcing?
Volcanic eruptions release particles into the atmosphere that can temporarily cool the climate by reflecting sunlight.
Which greenhouse gases contribute to warming the climate, and how?
Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to a warming effect.
What is a positive feedback loop in the climate system?
A positive feedback loop amplifies the direction of change, such as melting polar ice reducing reflectivity, leading to additional warming.
What is a negative feedback loop in the climate system?
A negative feedback loop counteracts the direction of change, such as increased cloud cover from evaporation, which can cool the Earth’s surface.
What are “archives of nature,” and why are they important in climate science?
Archives of nature, like ice cores, tree rings, sediment layers, and coral, provide historical climate data, offering insight into long–term climate patterns.
What role do “archives of society” play in understanding climate history?
Archives of society, including written records, temperature data from thermometers, diaries, and narratives, help reconstruct recent climate history.
What is the Anthropocene, and what distinguishes it from other epochs?
The Anthropocene is a proposed epoch where human activities are the dominant force impacting Earth’s climate, starting in the mid–20th century.
When did the Holocene Epoch begin, and what marked its start?
The Holocene began 11,700 years ago following the end of the Pleistocene Ice Age, marking a period of relative climate stability.
How is the Holocene Epoch divided?
The Holocene is divided into the Early Holocene (11,700–8,236 years ago), Middle Holocene (8,236–4,250 years ago), and Late Holocene (4,250 years ago–present).
What were human societies like during the Early Holocene?
During the Early Holocene, human populations were mostly hunter–gatherers as the climate warmed.
What significant developments occurred during the Middle Holocene?
In the Middle Holocene, large agricultural societies began to form as humans settled and domesticated plants and animals.
What characterizes the Late Holocene, and what does it lead into?
The Late Holocene saw the rise of major civilizations and leads into the current Anthropocene period dominated by human impact.
How did climate change affect the Akkadian Empire?
The Akkadian Empire collapsed around 2250 BCE, likely due to a drought caused by abrupt climate changes.
What climate challenges did the Old Kingdom of Egypt face?
The Old Kingdom of Egypt declined around 2200 BCE, with scholars suggesting drought and climate change contributed to its collapse.
How did climate affect the Indus Civilization?
The Indus Civilization’s decline around 1900 BCE is linked to climate changes and weakened monsoon patterns.
How did early American civilizations respond to climate shifts?
Agricultural societies in the Andes and Mesoamerica, such as the Olmec and Chavín, adapted to periodic climate shifts, which impacted their agricultural productivity.
What was the Little Ice Age (LIA), and when did it occur?
The Little Ice Age was a period of cooler temperatures from 1300 to 1850 CE, which led to widespread famines and social upheavals.
Describe the Seventeenth–Century Crisis during the Little Ice Age.
The Seventeenth–Century Crisis involved severe droughts, floods, and social collapse in multiple regions, exacerbated by the cooler climate of the Little Ice Age.
How did the Little Ice Age impact Europe specifically?
Europe experienced crop failures, social unrest, and challenges in early North American colonies due to the cooling climate.
What event is referred to as The Worst Year to Be Alive,” and why?”
The year 536 CE is often called The Worst Year to Be Alive” due to volcanic eruptions causing a cooling event, crop failures, and famine.”
What is the Anthropocene’s connection to the Industrial Revolution?
The Anthropocene is associated with the Industrial Revolution around 1800, marked by a surge in fossil fuel use and industrial activities.
What was the Great Acceleration,” and when did it occur?”
The Great Acceleration” began around 1950, marked by rapid increases in human activities, greenhouse gas emissions, and resource extraction.”
How do fossil fuels contribute to greenhouse gas emissions?
Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas account for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions, driving climate change.
Which regions were responsible for the majority of historic greenhouse gas emissions?
Western industrialized countries, mainly in Europe and North America, were responsible for most historic greenhouse gas emissions.
What organizations conduct research on climate change?
The World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) and the International Geosphere–Biosphere Programme (IGBP) are leading climate change research efforts.
What is the role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?
Established in 1988, the IPCC provides scientific assessments on climate change impacts and adaptation strategies for global policy–making.
Who are some prominent figures in climate change opposition?
Nierenberg and the Marshall Institute are known for pushing back against the scientific consensus on climate change.
What was the Kyoto Protocol, and why did it face opposition?
The Kyoto Protocol (1997) aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but faced resistance, particularly from the United States, over economic concerns.
Describe the objective of the Paris Agreement.
The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, is a global effort to limit temperature increases to below 2°C above pre–industrial levels, ideally aiming for 1.5°C.
What is the Green New Deal?
The Green New Deal is a U.S. proposal to address climate change and inequality through substantial investments in green technologies and jobs.
Which new technologies are being developed to address climate change?
Renewable energy technologies, particularly solar and wind, are expanding, while geoengineering explores carbon capture and solar radiation management as potential climate solutions.
What is Fridays for Future, and who inspired it?
Fridays for Future is a global youth–led movement calling for urgent climate action, inspired by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
What is the significance of Standing Rock and Indigenous voices in climate activism?
Indigenous activists, including those at Standing Rock, oppose fossil fuel infrastructure like the Dakota Access Pipeline to protect water and sacred lands.
What key message concludes the climate change guide?
The guide concludes that understanding climate history is vital to addressing climate change and achieving global cooperation is essential for effective mitigation.
Who is Michael McCormick, and what notable climate event did he describe?
Historian Michael McCormick called the year 536 CE the “worst year to be alive” due to extreme climate disruptions from volcanic eruptions.
Who coined the term Anthropocene,” and when?”
Paul J. Crutzen and Eugene F. Stoermer coined the term Anthropocene” in 2000 to describe the epoch where humans are the main driver of climate change.”
What percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions come from fossil fuels?
Over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas.
How has the global population changed from the start of the Industrial Revolution to the Anthropocene?
The global population grew from around 1 billion at the start of the Industrial Revolution to approximately 8 billion today.
Describe the greenhouse gas emission trends for the U.S. and the European Union since the early 2000s.
The U.S. and the European Union have significantly reduced their greenhouse gas emissions since the early 2000s.
How does China compare to the U.S. in terms of per capita CO₂ emissions?
China emits almost half as much CO₂ per person as the U.S.
How does India’s per capita CO₂ emissions compare to those of the U.S.?
India emits less than one–seventh of the CO₂ per person compared to the U.S.
Historically, how do China’s cumulative CO₂ emissions compare to those of Western countries?
Since 1750, China has produced only a quarter of the cumulative CO₂ emissions of Western industrialized nations.
Define the Anthropocene in terms of human impact on the Earth.
The Anthropocene is the geological epoch in which human activities are the primary force impacting Earth’s ecosystems and climate.
What are climate feedback loops, and why are they challenging?
Feedback loops in the climate system affect nature and society in complex, often unpredictable ways, making climate impacts difficult to track.
How have historical ideas about industrialization shaped countries’ climate responses?
Countries’ approaches to climate change are influenced by historical perspectives on industrialization and modernization, affecting policies and attitudes.
What is the Triple Planetary Crisis, and what are its components?
The Triple Planetary Crisis includes climate change, air pollution, and biodiversity loss, all linked by human behaviors impacting ecosystems.
Provide an example of heat stress due to climate change.
In 2023, Iran experienced extreme heat levels reaching 158°F, exemplifying heat stress linked to climate change.
List examples of recent natural disasters attributed to climate change.
Fires in Greece, Australia, California, Canada, and Hawaii; floods due to rising sea levels; and increased droughts in areas like the Horn of Africa.
How has high–tide flooding in the U.S. changed over the past 50 years?
High–tide flooding in the U.S. has become 300–900% more frequent compared to 50 years ago due to climate impacts on rain and sea levels.
Describe the impacts of Hurricane Ian in 2022.
Hurricane Ian caused $112 billion in damages and resulted in 156 fatalities in Florida, illustrating the severe impact of climate–driven storms.
What is the current frequency of droughts in the U.S. compared to historical trends?
In 2022, the U.S. experienced its worst drought in 1,200 years, highlighting the intensifying drought risk due to climate change.
Explain the phenomenon of climate–related migration.
Each year, approximately 30 million people are forced to migrate due to extreme weather events and climate impacts.
What are the health implications of climate change?
Climate change increases the spread of infectious diseases, worsens malnutrition, and is linked to new climate–sensitive health issues.
How are insurance companies responding to climate risks?
Insurance companies are withdrawing coverage from flood– and fire–prone areas, increasing financial risks for affected residents.
What was the Keeling Curve, and who initiated it?
Charles David Keeling began tracking atmospheric CO₂ in 1958, producing the Keeling Curve, the first evidence of rising CO₂ levels.
What was the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), and when was it founded?
The WCRP, founded in 1979, is dedicated to studying climate change and related phenomena.
What is the purpose of the International Geosphere–Biosphere Programme (IGBP)?
Founded in the 1980s, the IGBP studies interactions between Earth’s systems and climate change.
