Unit D Energy Flow in Global Systems: Section 3.0 Flashcards
What does the natural greenhouse effect do?
Keeps our planet warm by absorbing thermal energy radiated by Earth’s surface
What are the 4 main greenhouse gases?
- Water vapor H2O
- Carbon Dioxide CO2
- Methane CH4
- Nitrous Oxide N2O
There are also ground level ozone (O3), chlorofluorocarbons (or CFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (or HFCs).
What does GWP stand for?
Global Warming Potential
What is GWP a measure of?
The ability of gas to trap thermal energy in the atmosphere
What is the longest persisting greenhouse gas?
Carbon Dioxide
Which gas has the most GWP?
Nitrous Oxide
How has the amount of greenhouse gases changed over time?
They have increased over time
What could happen as a result of increased greenhouse gases?
- Less thermal energy is released into space
- Earths average temperature could increase
What is the increase of greenhouse gases related to?
The industrial revolution
What does producing fossil fuels release into the air?
Methane and Carbon dioxide
What does burning fossil fuel produce?
Carbon Dioxide and Nitrous Oxide
What is a carbon source? (context = climate)
Any process that releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
What is a carbon sink?
Any process that removes carbon dioxide from the air
How does agriculture contribute to greenhouse gasses?
Nitrous oxide is released by manure and chemical fertilizers
What are Halocarbons?
Human-made chemicals that can absorb significant amounts of thermal energy.
(Halogen group 17 + Carbon = things such as solvents, fire-fighting agents, and refrigerants)
What is the enhanced greenhouse gas effect?
The change in Earth’s net radiation budget caused by the increase in human-generated greenhouse gases
What is Global Warming?
The increase of the Earth’s average temperature
What is the evidence that the earth is undergoing climate change?
- Global Warming
- Early flower blooming
- Severe Weather
What is the General Circulation model?
A climate model that incorporates the laws of physics to model global climate
Why do scientists collaborate on climate change?
Because it is so expensive to obtain technology and get data from specific regions, they often pool their resources to use the technology to their best advantage
What is the Montreal protocol?
An international agreement to phase out the production of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons).
How many nations signed the Montreal protocol?
182
How do CFCs affect the earth?
They react with ozone in the atmosphere converting it to oxygen
What is the function of the ozone?
It absorbs the UV radiation
What are hydrofluorochlorocarbons?
Chemicals with similar properties to CFCs but destroy ozone much more slowly
What is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change?
An agreement by the world’s nations to act to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions
What is sustainable development?
The use of the world resources in ways the maintain resources for future generation
What is the Kyoto protocol?
An international agreement to reduce greenhouse gases
What is the goal of the Kyoto protocol?
To reduce the greenhouse gasses by 5%
What is a key feature of the Kyoto protocol?
Emission Reductions
What are emission reduction credits?
Credits that are given to countries for actions that contribute to the global reduction of greenhouse gasses
When are ERCs awarded?
- When a developed country helps a developing country reduce its emission
- When a developed country helps another developed country that has temporary economic problems
- When a country engages in practices that help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
What is Carbon dioxide sequestering?
Carbon dioxide is pumped into the ground to help extract oil reserves
