Water, Carbon, Climate & Life Of Earth Flashcards
What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?
Human activities (burning fossil fuels, deforestation) increase greenhouse gases, trapping more heat and altering climate patterns.
How does climate change impact climate zones? (Give 3 things)
Rising temperatures shift climate belts, changing rainfall distribution and increasing drought-prone areas like Sub-Saharan Africa.
What is ocean acidification? (Give 3 steps)
1) Increased CO₂ absorption by oceans
2) which lowers pH levels making waters more acidic
3) which threatening coral reefs and marine ecosystems.
How does climate change impact drainage basins? (3 things)
Increased evaporation and water vapour
Snowmelt occurs earlier, altering river discharge
Thawing permafrost increases groundwater infiltration
What is a positive feedback loop in the carbon cycle? (2 things)
1) Warming tundra releases methane and CO₂, further increasing greenhouse gases.
2) Warmer oceans release stored CO₂, enhancing atmospheric warming.
What is a negative feedback loop in the water cycle?
Rising temperatures increase cloud cover, which reflects more sunlight, cooling the Earth and reducing warming.
What happens when Arctic permafrost melts?
Releases methane and CO₂, contributing to further warming and accelerating permafrost thaw.
What is forest dieback?
1) Extended droughts kill trees
2) which reducing evapotranspiration and leading to less rainfall and more vegetation loss.
How does the thermohaline circulation act as a tipping point? (Give 3 things)
1) TC is the movement of water around the world in an ocean
2) Melting ice adds freshwater to oceans
3) disrupting global ocean currents and potentially cooling parts of Europe.
What is carbon taxation?
Governments tax businesses and individuals to discourage fossil fuel use and lower carbon emissions.
How does afforestation mitigate climate change?
Planting trees increases carbon sequestration, helping offset CO₂ emissions.
What is geo-engineering?
Human interventions that physically alter the environment, like solar radiation management or artificial cloud seeding.
Why are coral reefs vulnerable to climate change?
Warmer and more acidic oceans cause coral bleaching, harming marine biodiversity and local economies.
How does climate change impact developing nations dependent on oceans?
Changes in fish populations threaten food security, tourism, and income for coastal communities.
What is the role of mangroves in coastal protection?
Mangroves reduce storm surge impact, prevent coastal erosion, and provide carbon storage.
Why is predicting climate change impacts difficult? (3 things)
Uncertainty in ocean responses (e.g., sea-level rise, storm intensity)
Human actions (e.g., renewable energy adoption, population growth)
Feedback loops affecting carbon storage
How does economic growth affect climate change?
Increased demand for resources (energy, food, land) leads to higher emissions, especially in emerging economies.
How does climate change affect global water stores? (3 things)
Shrinking glaciers reduce long-term freshwater supply
Permafrost thawing increases groundwater flow
Drying lakes reduce water availability for humans and ecosystems
What happens to soils under climate change? (3 things)
Decreased soil moisture due to droughts
More runoff in extreme rainfall events, reducing infiltration
Melting permafrost releases carbon previously locked in soil
How does warming impact extreme weather? (2 things)
Higher sea temperatures intensify tropical storms
Changing rainfall patterns increase flooding and drought risks
