Climate Change Flashcards
Identify Ghgs, Identify the global warming potential of each Ghg, Identify threats to human health and the environment by increase in ghgs, Explain the short term and long term impacts of climate change, Explain the cause and effects of ocean warming, and Explain the cause and effects of ocean acidification (45 cards)
What is the Greenhouse Effect?
The natural process by which certain gases in Earth’s atmosphere trap heat, keeping the planet warm enough to support life.
What are Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)?
Gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), water vapor (H₂O), and synthetic gases like CFCs that contribute to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation.
What is Water Vapor (H₂O) in the context of greenhouse gases?
The most abundant greenhouse gas; it amplifies the greenhouse effect through positive feedback (higher temperatures lead to more evaporation, increasing H₂O in the atmosphere).
What is Infrared Radiation?
A type of electromagnetic radiation emitted by Earth’s surface, absorbed and re-emitted by greenhouse gases.
What is Albedo?
The reflectivity of Earth’s surface; surfaces with high albedo, like ice and snow, reflect more solar radiation.
What is Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)?
The most common anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GWP = 1); released through fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and industrial processes.
What is Methane (CH₄)?
The second most potent greenhouse gas, emitted during fossil fuel extraction, agriculture (e.g., livestock digestion), and decomposition in landfills.
What is Nitrous Oxide (N₂O)?
The third most potent greenhouse gas, produced by agricultural activities (e.g., fertilizer use), industrial activities, and fossil fuel combustion.
What are Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)?
Synthetic compounds used in refrigeration and aerosols; the most potent greenhouse gases but less common due to regulatory bans.
What is the Montreal Protocol?
An international treaty adopted in 1987 to phase out the production and use of ozone-depleting substances, including CFCs, which also contributes to reducing potent greenhouse gases.
What is Carbon Sequestration?
The process of capturing and storing atmospheric CO₂, either naturally (e.g., in forests and soils) or artificially (e.g., through carbon capture and storage technology).
What is Global Warming?
The observed increase in Earth’s average surface temperature due to rising levels of greenhouse gases.
What is Climate Change?
Long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions on Earth.
What is a Positive Feedback Loop?
A process that amplifies changes in a system, such as ice melting, which reduces albedo and causes further warming.
What is a Negative Feedback Loop?
A process that stabilizes changes in a system, such as increased plant growth due to higher CO₂, which removes CO₂ from the atmosphere.
What is a Carbon Footprint?
The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly and indirectly by human activities, expressed as CO₂ equivalent.
What is the Keeling Curve?
A graph showing the increase in atmospheric CO₂ concentrations over time, based on measurements from Mauna Loa Observatory.
What are Milankovitch Cycles?
Long-term changes in Earth’s orbit and tilt, affecting the amount of solar energy Earth receives and influencing climate patterns.
What is Thermal Expansion?
The increase in ocean volume due to the warming of water, contributing to sea-level rise.
What is Coral Bleaching?
The loss of color in corals due to stress from warmer water temperatures, leading to the expulsion of symbiotic algae.
What are Marine Heatwaves?
Periods of extremely high ocean temperatures that can disrupt marine ecosystems.
What is Thermohaline Circulation?
A key global oceanic conveyor belt system driven by differences in temperature and salinity, which influences climate patterns and may be disrupted by warming.
What is Ocean Stratification?
The layering of water based on temperature and salinity, which reduces mixing between surface and deeper waters, impacting nutrient distribution and marine ecosystems.
What is Ocean Acidification?
The decrease in pH levels of the ocean caused by the absorption of excess atmospheric CO₂.
