Unit D: Section 3.0

Question 1

What does the natural greenhouse effect do?

Answer 1

Keeps our planet warm by absorbing thermal energy radiated by Earth’s surface

Question 2

What are the 4 main greenhouse gases?

Answer 2

• Water vapor
• Carbon Dioxide
• Methane
• Nitrous Oxide

Question 3

What does GWP stand for?

Answer 3

Global Warming Potential

Question 4

What is GWP a measure of?

Answer 4

The ability of gas to trap thermal energy in the atmosphere

Question 5

What is the longest persisting gas?

Answer 5

Carbon Dioxide

Question 6

Which gas has the most GWP?

Answer 6

Nitrous Oxide

Question 7

How has the amount of greenhouse gases changed over time?

Answer 7

They have increased over time

Question 8

What could happen as a result of increased greenhouse gases?

Answer 8

• Less thermal energy is released into space

- Earths average temperature could increase

Question 9

What is the increase of greenhouse gases related to?

Answer 9

The industrial revolution

Question 10

What does producing fossil fuels release into the air?

Answer 10

Methane and Carbon dioxide

Question 11

What does burning fossil fuel produce?

Answer 11

Carbon Dioxide and Nitrous oxide

Question 12

What is a carbon source?

Answer 12

Any process that releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

Question 13

What is a carbon sink?

Answer 13

Any process that removes carbon dioxide from the air

Question 14

How does agriculture contribute to greenhouse gasses?

Answer 14

Nitrous oxide is released by manure and chemical fertilizers

Question 15

What are Halocarbons?

Answer 15

Human-made chemicals that can absorb significant amounts of thermal energy

Question 16

What is the enhanced greenhouse gas effect?

Answer 16

The change in Earth’s net radiation budget caused by the increase in human-generated greenhouse gases

Question 17

What is Global Warming?

Answer 17

The increase of the Earth’s average temperature

Question 18

What is the evidence that the earth is undergoing climate change?

Answer 18

• Global Warming
• Early flower blooming
• Severe Weather

Question 19

What is the General Circulation model?

Answer 19

A climate model that incorporates the laws of physics to model global climate

Question 20

How do scientists collaborate on climate change?

Answer 20

Because it is so expensive they often pool their resources to use the technology to their best advantage

Question 21

What is the Montreal protocol?

Answer 21

AN international agreement to phase out the production of CFCs

Question 22

How many nations signed the Montreal protocol?

Answer 22

182

Question 23

How do CFCs affect the earth?

Answer 23

They react with ozone in the atmosphere converting it to oxygen

Question 24

What is the function of the ozone?

Answer 24

It absorbs the UV radiation

Question 25

What are hydrofluorochlorocarbons?

Answer 25

Chemicals with similar properties to CFCs but destroy ozone much slowly

Question 26

What is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change?

Answer 26

An agreement by the world's nations to act to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions

Question 27

What is sustainable development?

Answer 27

The use of the world resources in ways the maintain resources for future generation

Question 28

What is the Kyoto protocol?

Answer 28

An international agreement to reduce greenhouse gases

Question 29

What is the goal of the Kyoto protocol?

Answer 29

To reduce the greenhouse gasses by 5%

Question 30

What is a key feature of the Kyoto protocol?

Answer 30

Emission Reductions

Question 31

What are emission reduction credits?

Answer 31

Credits that are given to countries for actions that contribute to the global reduction of greenhouse gasses

Question 32

When are ERCs awarded?

Answer 32

- 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

Question 33

What is Carbon dioxide sequestering?

Answer 33

Carbon dioxide is pumped into the ground to help extract oil reserves