climate change Flashcards
(23 cards)
What are the two main categories of climate change causes?
Natural causes and Human-made (Anthropogenic) causes.
Name 4 natural causes of climate change.
Volcanic eruptions, Ocean currents, Earth’s orbital changes, Solar variations.
How do volcanic eruptions affect the climate?
They release ash and gases like sulfur dioxide, which can reflect sunlight and cool the Earth temporarily.
Name 5 human-made causes of climate change.
Burning fossil fuels, Deforestation, Agriculture, Industrial emissions, Waste/landfills.
How does burning fossil fuels contribute to climate change?
It releases carbon dioxide (CO₂), a major greenhouse gas.
How does agriculture contribute to climate change?
It produces methane (CH₄) from rice fields and cattle, and nitrous oxide (N₂O) from fertilizers.
What are greenhouse gases?
Gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, causing global warming.
Name 5 major greenhouse gases.
Carbon dioxide (CO₂), Methane (CH₄), Nitrous oxide (N₂O), CFCs, Water vapor.
Which greenhouse gas is the most abundant from human activities?
Carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Which greenhouse gas is about 25 times stronger than CO₂?
Methane (CH₄).
What’s the global warming potential of nitrous oxide (N₂O)?
About 300 times more than CO₂.
Why is water vapor considered a feedback gas, not a direct cause?
It increases as the atmosphere warms, amplifying the greenhouse effect.
What has been the trend in solar activity since the 1970s?
Solar activity has remained constant or slightly decreased since the 1970s, while Earth has continued warming.
What is the largest source of CO₂ emissions globally?
Energy production (coal, oil, gas) is the largest source of CO₂ emissions globally.
What percentage of man-made CO₂ do forests absorb?
Forests absorb ~30% of man-made CO₂; cutting them increases atmospheric CO₂.
What percentage of total greenhouse gas emissions is agriculture responsible for?
Agriculture is responsible for about 25% of total greenhouse gas emissions, mainly CH₄ and N₂O.
What is a major source of methane emissions?
Landfills are a major source of methane emissions due to decomposition of organic waste.
How long does CO₂ stay in the atmosphere?
CO₂ stays in the atmosphere for 100+ years.
How much stronger is CH₄ compared to CO₂ over 100 years?
CH₄ is 25× stronger than CO₂ over 100 years.
Where does CH₄ primarily come from?
CH₄ comes from livestock, rice paddies, and landfills.
How much stronger is N₂O compared to CO₂?
N₂O is 300× stronger than CO₂.
What is the main source of N₂O emissions?
N₂O emissions mostly come from fertilizer use in agriculture.
What are CFCs and why were they banned?
CFCs are man-made gases banned under the Montreal Protocol because they also destroy ozone.
