Climate change Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is the greenhouse effect?
Gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, preventing it from escaping into space.
What would Earth’s average temperature be without greenhouse gases?
-19°C instead of 15°C.
What causes the enhanced greenhouse effect?
Increased emissions from human activity.
What are the main GHGs and their sources?
CO₂: Fossil fuels, waste, deforestation
Methane: Agriculture, fossil fuels, landfills
CFCs: Refrigerants, sprays, fire extinguishers
Nitrous oxide: Agriculture, frozen soil, animal waste
What is Global Warming Potential (GWP)?
A measure of how much heat a GHG traps in the atmosphere relative to CO₂.
Which region is the largest current emitter of GHGs?
Asia (53% of global emissions).
Which country has the highest historical CO₂ emissions?
The United States (25% since 1751).
What’s the difference between production-based and consumption-based emissions?
Production-based: emissions within a country; Consumption-based: includes emissions from imports.
What are some expected impacts of climate change?
Sea level rise
Ecological and agricultural disruption
Increased storms and hurricanes
What does the IPCC (2014) say about human-caused climate change?
It is “extremely likely” that human activity is the dominant cause since the mid-20th century.
What are sources of uncertainty in climate projections?
Technological change
Weather feedbacks
Scientific thresholds
Adaptation policies
What are the two main types of climate policy?
Mitigation: Reducing emissions
Adaptation: Reducing vulnerability
What are examples of mitigation strategies?
Energy efficiency
Switching to low-carbon fuels
Reforestation
What are examples of adaptation strategies?
Building sea defences
Adjusting agricultural practices
What are the three main challenges in designing climate policy?
Global nature of emissions
Long-term effects
Uncertainty in outcomes
Why is global cooperation essential in climate policy?
Because emissions affect the entire planet, not just the emitting country.
