Week 1 Introduction Flashcards

1
Q

What is Causal Loop Diagrams

A
  • A tool to depict the causal connections between components of a system
  • Illustrate how changes in one component cascade into changes in others and back to itself, via feedback loops, potentially affecting the status of the entire system.
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2
Q

What is a Reinforcing Feedback Loop?

A

A loop that causes exponential growth.

e.g. Infection/Virus

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3
Q

What is a Balancing Feedback Loop?

A

A loop that seeks equilibrium.

e.g. Finding Hj in Pipelines

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4
Q

In Earth’s atmosphere balance Equation, what are E_in and E_out?

A

E_in = Solar radiation (shortwave)

E_out = Earth re-emit radiation (long wave) and trapped energy (heat)

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5
Q

What is Black Body Radiation

A

Perfect absorber/emitter of radiation.

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6
Q

What is the energy flux equation?

A

E = sigma * T^4
S(1-A) = epsilon * sigma * T^4

S = solar radiation
A = albedo
epsilon = emissivity
sigma = S-B constant
T = temp in K

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7
Q

Give example/s of long-lived GHGs

A

CO2, CH4, N2O, CFC.

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8
Q

Give example/s of short-lived GHGs

A

H2O vapour, O3

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9
Q

Give example/s of aerosols

A

Black carbon (soot), organic carbon, dust, and soil particles, SOx

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10
Q

What is Radiative Forcing (RF)?

A

The measure of the net change in the energy balance of the Earth system in response to external upset.

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11
Q

Is the atmosphere warming or cooling if RF is positive?

A

Warming

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12
Q

What is Global Warming Potential (GWP)

A

A measure of how much energy the emission of 1 ton of a gas will absorb over a given period of time, relative to the emissions of 1 ton of CO2.

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13
Q

What is the IPCC?

A

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: UN body for climate change assessment.
- Thousands of scientists
- Created to provide policymakers regular scientific assessments of climate change
- Releases reports every 6 years

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14
Q

What are Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs)?

A

Scenarios include time series of projected emissions and concentrations of GHGs, aerosols, and land use change.

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15
Q

What are Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs)?

A

A tool used to project the socioeconomic conditions of the world until the end of the century.

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16
Q

Global warming effects examples.

A
  • Mean temperature changes
  • Precipitation changes
  • Sea level rise
  • Ocean acidification
  • More frequent and intense weather (droughts and floods)
17
Q

Define Mitigation

A

Design/plan/engineer solutions that reduce/eliminate GHG emissions to the
atmosphere.

18
Q

Define Adaptation

A

Design/plan/engineer solutions for future projected changes

19
Q

What is the Impact of Climate Change on the Earth Energy Balance

A

Albedo decreases, emissivity increases –> less radiation is reflected so temperature increases

20
Q

Why are some GHGs worse than others

A
  • Emitted in different concentrations
  • have different lifetimes
  • have different warming impacts
21
Q

What are the current global projections for climate change?

A

Larger changes in …

  • regional mean temperature (worst in the arctic)
  • regional mean precipitation (dry areas get drier, wet areas get wetter)
  • regional mean soil moisture
  • intensity and frequency of weather extremes
22
Q

How are the impacts of climate change distributed across NZ?

A

largest impacts will be experienced in the north

23
Q

What can we do about climate change?

A

Mitigation AND Adaptation