Unit 1: Climate Change

Question 1

Anthropogenic sources of climate change are due to

Answer 1

increased release of greenhouse gases

Question 2

what are greenhouse gases

Answer 2

vapor in atmospher + solar radiation

Question 3

The [–] and [–] of solar radiation by greenhouse gases [–] average annual global temperatures

Answer 3

The absorbance and re-emission of solar radiation by greenhouse gases increases average annual global temperatures

Question 4

The albedo effect

Answer 4

• describes the gain from light colored objects
• reflection of radiation

the color of roofs

Question 5

one response to climate change is to [–] the use of [–] building materials to [–] energy use in [–] climates

Answer 5

one response to climate change is to increase the use of light-colored building materials to reduce energy use in hot climates

Question 6

Greenhouse gases may be [–] or [–]

Answer 6

naturally occuring or anthropogenic (man-made)

Question 7

greenhouse gases in the atmosphere made up of

Answer 7

• 95% water vapor
• 3.6% CO2
• 1.4% Other

Question 8

Man-Made greenhouse gases are made up of

Answer 8

• 84% CO2
• 9% Methane
• 5% Nitrous Oxide
• 2% Flourinated Gases (2%)

Question 9

Anthropogenic greenhouse gases come from which activities?

Answer 9

• 21.3% **Power Stations **
• 16.8% **Industrial Processes **
• 14% **Transportation Fuels **
• 12.5% **Agricultural byproducts **
• 11.3% **Fossil fuel retrieval, processing, and distribution **
• 10.3% **Residential, commercial and other sources **
• 10.0% **Land use and biomass burning **
• 3.4% **Waste disposal & treatment **

Question 10

CO2 impact on climate change

Answer 10

• 75%
• long-term
• several methods for recycling
• 65%-80% removal within as little as 20 years (or up to 200)

CO2 + H2O <–> H2CO3 <–> HCO3 + H+

Question 10

Methane impact on climate change

Answer 10

• 14%
• relatively short-lived (~12 years) but potent

Question 10

N2O (nitrous oxide) impact on climate change

Answer 10

• 8%
• ~100 years

Question 11

CFCs impact on climate change

Answer 11

• 1.1%
• may last up to 100-1000 years
• generally banned
• they stay in environment for long periods of time

Question 11

Global temperature data show an overall [–] trends, most likely due to increased greenhouse gas emissions

Answer 11

upward trend
* the bread basket of US is predicted to move North
* sugar maples have already shifted North

Question 12

Data that support the evidence of climate change come from

Answer 12

a number of sources (proxies)

Question 13

Tree ring variation indicates weather in [–]

Answer 13

temperate forests

Question 14

why do tree rings indicate weather

Answer 14

• temperate forests have seasons -> allow for variation in bands
• summer = rapid growth of bands = light bands
• winter = slow growth of bands = dark band

Question 15

coral bands reflect [–]

Answer 15

environmental changes

Question 16

why do coral bands show environmental changes

Answer 16

• coral bands grow slowly but consistently
• can measure width of band year by year
• this tells us the conditions it grew in

Question 17

Documentary proxies include [–] and [–] records, but may generate [–]

Answer 17

Documentary proxies include business and cultural records, but may generate false correlations

Question 18

What were the frost fairs

Answer 18

• held on the frozen Thames up until mid-19th century when better flow managment (widening, weirs) removed the threat of ponding and premature freezing
• around mid-1800s they widened the river and were able to control the flow of water
• the water didn’t freeze
• this does not support evidence of global warming

Question 20

shorter growing seasons lead to

Answer 20

plants growing/blooming earlier

cherry trees example

Question 21

proxies may be

Answer 21

hard to analyze

alaskan ice classic example

Question 22

El nino

Answer 22

• periodic disturbance in wind patterns generated in the Pacific ocean
• The Christ Child
• warms ocean waters on the western coast of S. America
• decrease fishing productivity
• extended Pacific jet stream, amplified storm track

Question 23

La nina

Answer 23

• alternative pattern that also affects winter weather patterns
• shifting jet-stream farther up

Question 24

El nino timing can be used to

Answer 24

• predict “clear sky” flooding
• the higher the water level on a clear day, the worse floods will be once a storm arrives

water levels are higher during el nino years

Question 25

El nino is [–] likely to continue this fall

Answer 25

95%

Question 26

[–] is the 5th most likely city to flood due to sea level rise in the US

Answer 26

Boston

Question 27

By 2050, [–] may inundate much of downtown bost

Answer 27

• high tides
• storm surges will have an even greater effect

Question 28

A [–] increase is likely to cause profound changes to agriculture and other buisness

Answer 28

4 degree

Question 30

Climate change may [–] some while [–]

Answer 30

economically benefit some while hurting others

Question 32

Climate change and increased demands are predicted to lead to [–] by 2025

Answer 32

freshwater stress

Question 33

The south pacific island/nation [–] may be subsumed by 2100

Answer 33

• Kiribati
• it is estimated that in 30-60 years the country will be inundated by seawater and uninhabitable because of the loss of fresh water supplies