WS 2 P.1-8, 12 Flashcards
Please give 4 examples of how global warming affects us.
rising of temperatures, rainfall and storm surges in Hong Kong
unexpected blooming of cherry blossoms in Japan
hurricane Irma
east africa drought
What is the cause of the unexpected blooming of cherry blossoms in Japan?
—more frequent typhoons + more super-typhoons
—strong typhoons resulted in trees losing their leaves, which usually releases a hormone that stops the floral buds from growing
What is the greenhouse effect?
The effect of how greenhouse gases and dust absorb energy and keep the earth warm.
Describe the process of greenhouse effect. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
- The short waves of sun rays can pass through the atmosphere, aka short wave solar radiation
- The earth’s surface heats up
- Heat is released from the earth’s surface as long waves, aka long wave terrestrial radiation
- Greenhouse gases, water vapour and dust in the atmosphere trap the heat
- Some heat cannot pass through the atmosphere
- The atmosphere and the earth’s surface get warmer
Why is the greenhouse effect called the greenhouse effect?
This is because the atmosphere works like the glass of a greenhouse.
Greenhouse gases can absorb _________________ wave radiation, but not _________________ wave radiation.
long, short
What is the function of the greenhouse effect?
It helps the earth’s average temperature remain relatively stable as it is the natural phenomenon of keeping the earth warm.
How is global warming caused?
Too much greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will intensify the greenhouse effect, leading to an increase in global temperature.
The ___________________ trends of both CO2 concentration and __________________________________________ are the same. There is a ________________ _________________ between them.
increasing, global average temperature, positive relationship
The more __________ in the __________________, the ________________ the _____________________________________.
CO2, atmosphere, higher, global average temperature
Describe the process of global warming. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
- Shortwave solar radiation reaches the earth’s surface
- The earth’s surface absorbs some of the solar energy
- Longwave radiation is emitted to the atmosphere
- More energy is absorbed by the greenhouse gases
- More energy is absorbed/ re-radiated back to the earth’s surface
- Global average temperature increases
Less ___________ escapes into _________________ due to the _________________ of ______________________________.
heat, space, increase, greenhouse gases
What are the four major reasons leading to the increase in the amount of the greenhouse gases?
—rapid population growth
—ever-increasing human activities
—rapid economic development
—rising living standard
____________________ of ____________________________ in the atmosphere ↑ —> ______________________________________________________ ↑ —> greenhouse effect intensified —> _______________________________________ ↑
concentration, greenhouse gases, long wave radiation absorbed by the atmosphere, global average temperature
What are greenhouse gases?
They are gases that absorb long-wave radiation.
The two types of greenhouse gases are:
1.
2.
gases that are found naturally in the atmosphere, man-made GHGs
Give 5 examples of gases that are found naturally in the atmosphere.
carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapour, ozone
Give four examples of man-made GHGs.
CFCs, HFCs, PFCs and SF6.
What are the most abundant greenhouse gases?
Carbon dioxide and water vapour.
What human activities lead to the release of CO2? — — — — —
—burning of fossil fuels in power plants such as coal and oil
—use of fossil fuels in cars/ transport
—burning of trees
—burning waste in incinerators
—use of fossil fuels in some production processes (eg metals and cement)
What are the two impacts of the burning of trees?
This action releases CO2 and there will be fewer trees left to absorb CO2.
What human activities lead to the release of CFCs?
—
production of foams and refrigerants for air conditioners and refrigerators
What human activities lead to the release of CH4?
—
—
—
—decomposition of organic waste materials in landfills
—wet rice cultivation
—cattle rearing
What human activities lead to the release of N2O? — — — — — —
—burning of fossil fuels in power plants such as coal and oil
—use of fossil fuels in cars
—burning waste in incinerators
—use of fossil fuels in some production processes, such as metal and cement
—production of nylon
—using chemical fertilisers in farming
What are the possible benefits of climate change in cold areas?
—
—
—shorter and warmer winters save more energy
—fewer deaths due to cold weather
What are the possible benefits of climate change in temperate areas?
—
longer growing season ➞ grow more food, hence eases problem of food shortages
What are the possible benefits of climate change in the artic region? — ⠀— ⠀— ⠀—
melting of polar ice
⠀more energy resources are likely to be found in the polar areas
⠀easier to exploit energy resources under the thinner ice, eg oil and gas
⠀shorter shipping routes in the Arctic Circle
What are the possible benefits of climate change in other areas?
—
⠀—
rainfall in some areas increases
⠀ease the problem of water shortages
What are the five main harmful effects of climate change?
- rising sea levels
- more climatic hazards
- spread of diseases
- extinction of species
- disruption of crop yields and the food supply
Describe how the sea levels have been rising.
The global sea level has been rising steadily since 1880.
What is the cause of rising sea levels?
—
⠀—
⠀—
melting of ice and seawater expansion
⠀the ice cover on land and at the Poles melts as the global climate becomes warmer
⠀the seawater heats up and expands because of the rising global temperature
What is the result of rising sea levels?
Flooding of low-lying coastal areas and island countries like Tuvalu, Maldives
Give 3 examples of low-lying coastal areas that face a higher risk of flooding.
the CBD of Hong Kong, Venice in Italy and the Mai Po Nature Reserve
Climate change may _________________________________ and _______________________________________________.
increase the frequency, intensity of various climatic hazards
What are the four types of climatic hazards that may happen more frequently?
stronger typhoons and blizzards, flooding, droughts, heat waves and wildfires
What is the cause of stronger typhoons and blizzards?
a warming atmosphere ➞
evaporation ↑ ➞ water vapour condenses into water droplets ↑ ➞ energy released ↑ ➞ stronger typhoons and blizzards
What are the results of stronger typhoons and blizzards?
greater storm surges and rising sea levels.
What are the causes of more flooding?
—Rainstorms
⠀ —Climate change leads to a warmer climate, and hence there is more evaporation and rain.
—Storm surges
What is a storm surge?
It is an abnormal rise of seawater generated by a storm.
What is the cause of storm surges?
Strong winds pushing seawater up against the coast, eg typhoons.
Describe storm surges under normal climatic conditions.
Storm surge and big waves caused by a typhoon are not high enough to flood coastal areas.
Describe storm surges under climate change.
Higher storm surge + bigger waves + caused by a stronger typhoon + higher sea level = high enough to flood coastal areas
What is the cause of more droughts?
warmer climate ➞
relative humidity ↓ ➞ unfavourable for the formation of clouds and rain ➞ rain ↓ ➞ more droughts
What are the results of more droughts?
—
—
—The growth of vegetation is hindered and this results in less vegetation cover on land.
—Soil erosion and the problem of desertification will worsen
What is the cause of more heat waves and wildfires?
Higher air temperature/ persistent high temperatures
What are the results of more heat waves?
cases of heat stroke will increase.
What are the results of more heat waves and droughts?
more frequent and serious wildfires.
What is the cause of the spread of diseases caused by climate change?
—
—
—↑ global temperatures
—a warmer climate will extend toward the north and south poles
Describe the spread of diseases caused by climate change.
Tropical diseases such as dengue fever and malaria will spread to the temperate areas.
What is the cause of the extinction of species?
—As
—In
—temperature and rainfall patterns change, the habitats of plants and animals change too
—some areas, species that cannot adapt to the changing climate will die
Give 7 examples of species that may be extinct.
polar bears (within 100 years), corals (due to coral bleaching), leatherback sea turtles, koalas, emperor penguins, beluga whales, clownfish
What are the causes of disruption of crop yields and the food supply?
—rising sea levels lead to flooding of coastal farmland
—surging sea water in coastal areas makes the soil salty
—more frequent and stronger climatic hazards
—pests become more active
What are the results of the disruption of crop yields and the food supply?
—
—
—
—destroyed crops
—crop failure
—affected food supply
