Weather and Climate GW2 Flashcards
Explain greenhouse effect.
A natural process by which greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere.
Incoming shortwave radiation energy from the sun passes through the greenhouse gases found in the atmosphere. Most shortwave radiation is absorbed by the earth’s surface which then heats up. The warmed surface of the earth emits long wave radiation to the atmosphere. Some of the long wave radiation is absorbed by the greenhouse gases, warming the atmosphere, while the rest escapes to space.
What are the anthropogenic factors
Deforestation and changing land use such as agriculture, industries and urbanisation.
Explain how deforestation leads to enhanced greenhouse effect.
With deforestation, there are fewer trees to absorb carbon dioxide leading to an increase in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
Deforestation exposes soil to sunlight, increasing the soil temperature and the rate of carbon oxidation in the soil. As such, deforestation increases the rate at which carbon dioxide is released from the soil into the atmosphere
Carbon dioxide is also emitted during the process of burning trees to clear land. This results in an increase in the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide. Burning trees may also lead to forest fires
Describe the response to climate change (part 2)
Green Mark Scheme:
Ex: The scheme aims to encourage more ‘new’ buildings, which are more energy efficient. (constructing ‘green’ buildings)
A: Existing ’green’ buildings such as Plaza by the Park, Standard Chartered @ Changi and the National Library Building, have reported energy savings of 15% to 35% compared to conventional buildings.
L: ‘Green’ buildings cost more to build because ‘green’ materials may be more expensive.
Plant-A-Tree programme
D: Playing more trees and plants
Ex: Plant-A-Tree programme started in 1971 by the Garden City Fund and Singapore Environment Council aiming to maintain Singapore‘s status as a Garden City by planting trees.
A: This programme has contributed to an estimated 60,000 trees planted throughout Singapore by the National Parks Board.
L: Trees take many years to mature, so the positive effects of tree planting will take time to materialise.
Explain how agriculture leads to enhanced greenhouse effect.
The use of machinery leads to an increase in energy usage that generates greenhouse gas that leads to enhanced greenhouse effect.
Livestock leads to an increased amount of methane released that traps heat in the atmosphere and
leads to enhanced greenhouse effect.
Decomposition or use of of fertilizer generates greenhouse gas that leads to enhanced greenhouse effect.
Discuss the impacts of climate change
- Sea level rise
- D : With global warming, ice caps are melting. The melted ice caps add volume to the sea, causing sea levels to rise. The higher temperatures also cause the sea water to expand
- Ex: the mean sea level in the straits of Singapore has also increased at rate 1.2mm to 1.7mm per year in time period 1975 to 2009.
- a: Low-lying areas/ coastal areas are threatened by flooding, which would lead to much destruction and loss of lives. - Frequent extreme weather events
- D: Increased atmospheric temperatures increase chances of natural disasters such as heat waves and droughts. The increased latent heat also increases chances of tropical cyclones
- Ex: In Summer 2003, a heat wave baked Europe with temperatures 13 degrees Fahrenheit above average normal for the region -> killed more than 70000 people and caused 13 billion euros in financial damage
A : Areas affected could experience much destruction and loss of lives if they are not prepared - Lengthening of growing seasons in certain regions
- D : The increased temperatures have made it more conducive for certain crops to grow, increasing their growing season. However, many weeds, pests and fungi thrive under warmer temperatures, causing problems to farmers.
- Ex: Europe could possibly have an increase in yield of more than 5% of corn, potatoes, rice and wheat in 2050
- A : +ve : There will be more food worldwide. The famers can also earn high income and aid in the economy. However, some crops that require colder temperatures will suffer, affecting food consumption and the economy. - Spread of infectious insect-borne diseases
- D: With increased global temperatures, more places are conducive for growth and reproduction of mosquitoes, which thrive in hot and humid climates
- Ex: Dengue fever was reported in the cool climates areas of Nepal and Bhutan for the first time in 2004
-A: The increased spread of insect-borne disease will cause more people to fall ill and more loss of lives
Define ‘climate change’.
Variations in the global climate or climatic patterns in the long term.
Explain the enhanced greenhouse effect.
An increase in greenhouse gases trapping heat in the atmosphere as a result of human activities.
Explain how variations in solar output affect climatic changes.
- The sun emits varying amounts of solar radiation due to changes in its magnetic field, affecting the earth’s climate.
- During periods of intense solar magnetic activity, the number of sunspots increase, resulting in higher solar radiation, and thus higher temperatures globally.
- The number of sunspots rise and falls with an approximate 11 year cycle and the earth’s temperature rises and falls correspondingly.
Explain how volcanic eruptions can have a cooling influence on the earth’s climate.
- When a volcano erupts, large volumes of carbon dioxide, water vapour, sulfur dioxide, dust and ash are released.
- The sulfur dioxide reacts with water to form sulfur-based particles in the atmosphere.
- Together with the ash and dust, they reflect solar energy back into space, causing a cooling influence on regional and global temperatures.
Explain how industries have resulted in the enhanced greenhouse effect.
- Use of fossil fuel that gives off carbon dioxide.
2. Greenhouse gases released during the manufacturing process.
Explain how urbanisation has resulted in the enhanced greenhouse effect.
- Vehicular use and household appliances give off greenhouse gases, contributing to the enhanced greenhouse effect.
- Burning of fossil fuels to provide energy for household activities and transport.
Explain how the Kyoto Protocol has helped in managing climate change.
Clear targets are set for each country to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and countries are accountable for meeting their targets.
Describe the successes and limitations of the Kyoto Protocol in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Success: Between 1990 and 2012, the original Kyoto Protocol parties reduced their CO2 emissions by 12.5%.
Limitation: Even though most Kyoto Protocol signatories succeeded in cutting emissions, worldwide atmospheric CO2 levels have soared, now up 35 percent since 1997.
Explain how Singapore aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the Singapore Green Plan 2012.
Launched in 2002 with the goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce energy consumption by using natural gas as an energy source. it aims to generate 60% of Singapore’s needs using natural gas by 2012.
