climate change 2

Question 1

What are the 3 major categories of climate change effects?

Answer 1

Temperature rise, Sea level rise, Changes in weather patterns

Question 2

How has the global average temperature changed over time?

Answer 2

It has increased by about 1.1°C since the 1800s.

The last 8 years have been the hottest on record.

Question 3

How does temperature rise affect the Arctic?

Answer 3

The Arctic is warming 2 to 4 times faster than the global average.

Rapid Arctic melting contributes to sea level rise.

Question 4

What extreme temperature events are becoming more common?

Answer 4

More frequent and intense heatwaves across continents.

2023 saw record-breaking heatwaves in Europe, China, and the US.

Question 5

By how much have global sea levels risen since 1880?

Answer 5

About 21–24 cm.

Sea levels are now rising at 3+ mm per year, and accelerating.

Question 6

Name 3 effects of rising sea levels.

Answer 6

Coastal flooding, Erosion, Saltwater intrusion in freshwater sources

Question 7

Which countries are most at risk from sea level rise?

Answer 7

Low-lying nations like Bangladesh, Maldives, and parts of India.

Millions may be climate refugees in coming decades.

Question 8

How does climate change affect rainfall patterns?

Answer 8

It causes unpredictable monsoons, more floods and droughts.

India has seen a tripling of extreme rainfall events since the 1950s.

Question 9

What types of extreme weather events are increasing?

Answer 9

More intense storms, cyclones, floods, and droughts.

Category 4 & 5 storms are more frequent due to warming oceans.

Question 10

How is climate change expected to affect monsoons?

Answer 10

By shifting their timing, strength, and duration.

This impacts agriculture and water availability.

Question 11

How does climate change affect agriculture?

Answer 11

It leads to reduced crop yields, crop failures, and soil degradation.

Staple crops like wheat and rice are sensitive to temperature spikes.

Question 12

What are the health impacts of climate change?

Answer 12

More heat-related illnesses, spread of diseases like malaria, and air pollution-related problems.

Question 13

How does climate change threaten biodiversity?

Answer 13

It causes species extinction, coral bleaching, and ecosystem damage.

Up to 1 million species are at risk of extinction due to climate change and habitat loss.

Question 14

What are the 3 main types of climate change solutions?

Answer 14

Renewable energy, Government policies, Individual lifestyle changes

Question 15

How does renewable energy help fight climate change?

Answer 15

It reduces dependence on fossil fuels and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

Question 16

Name 4 major types of renewable energy.

Answer 16

Solar, Wind, Hydro (water), Biomass and geothermal

Question 17

What is the fastest-growing renewable energy source?

Answer 17

Solar energy

Solar is now the cheapest source of electricity in many countries.

Question 18

What’s the benefit of wind energy?

Answer 18

It produces no emissions during operation and uses unlimited natural wind.

One large wind turbine can power thousands of homes.

Question 19

What is the Paris Agreement?

Answer 19

An international treaty to limit global warming to below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C.

Question 20

When was the Paris Agreement adopted?

Answer 20

In 2015 at COP21 in Paris.

Over 190 countries have signed the agreement.

Question 21

What does the Paris Agreement require countries to do?

Answer 21

Set national climate goals and report progress regularly.

Question 22

Name two other important climate policies or actions.

Answer 22

Carbon pricing / carbon tax, Bans on deforestation or fossil fuel subsidies

Question 23

How can individuals help reduce climate change?

Answer 23

By adopting sustainable lifestyle choices (e.g., less energy use, plant-based diet, less driving).

Question 24

Name 3 sustainable habits that help the planet.

Answer 24

Use public transport or cycle, Eat more plant-based foods, Reduce, reuse, and recycle

Question 25

What is the impact of switching to energy-efficient appliances?

Answer 25

Reduces electricity use and carbon footprint. ## Footnote LED bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent ones.

Question 26

How does reducing meat consumption help?

Answer 26

It cuts methane emissions from livestock and reduces land/water use. ## Footnote Livestock farming accounts for 14.5% of global GHG emissions.

Question 27

What is the natural greenhouse effect?

Answer 27

It's a process where greenhouse gases trap heat in Earth's atmosphere, keeping the planet ~33°C warmer than it would be otherwise.

Question 28

What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?

Answer 28

It occurs when human activities increase greenhouse gas concentrations, trapping extra heat and causing global warming.

Question 29

How have humans disrupted the carbon cycle?

Answer 29

By burning fossil fuels, releasing stored carbon faster than natural processes can absorb it.

Question 30

What are climate feedback loops?

Answer 30

Processes that amplify (positive) or reduce (negative) climate change effects. ## Footnote Example: Melting Arctic ice reduces reflection of sunlight, causing more warming.

Question 31

What were key climate change drivers before the Industrial Revolution?

Answer 31

Natural factors like volcanoes, solar variation, and Earth’s orbit.

Question 32

What is the “Hockey Stick” graph?

Answer 32

A graph showing stable temperatures for centuries, followed by a sharp rise after industrialization.

Question 33

How do scientists study past climates?

Answer 33

Using ice cores, tree rings, ocean sediments, and coral records.

Question 34

How fast is current warming compared to past natural changes?

Answer 34

It’s occurring about 10 times faster than past warming periods (like after ice ages).

Question 35

What is ocean acidification?

Answer 35

Oceans absorb ~30% of CO₂, making the water more acidic, harming coral and shellfish.

Question 36

How does climate change affect extreme weather?

Answer 36

It increases the frequency and intensity of hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and droughts.

Question 37

What causes sea level rise?

Answer 37

Mainly thermal expansion of warming oceans and melting glaciers and ice sheets.

Question 38

How much has sea level risen since 1880?

Answer 38

Around 8–9 inches (20–23 cm), with an accelerating trend.

Question 39

Why is climate change a threat to biodiversity?

Answer 39

Many species can’t adapt or migrate quickly enough to survive rapid climate shifts. ## Footnote Term: "Sixth mass extinction"

Question 40

What is climate mitigation?

Answer 40

Actions to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., switching to clean energy).

Question 41

What is climate adaptation?

Answer 41

Adjusting to already occurring climate effects (e.g., building flood defences).

Question 42

What is the goal of the Paris Agreement?

Answer 42

Limit global warming to well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Question 43

When was the Paris Agreement signed, and how many countries joined?

Answer 43

Signed in 2015; joined by over 190 countries.

Question 44

Why is renewable energy important?

Answer 44

It's clean, reduces emissions, and is now often cheaper than fossil fuels.

Question 45

What is carbon pricing?

Answer 45

A way to charge polluters for their emissions through taxes or cap-and-trade systems.

Question 46

What are negative emissions technologies?

Answer 46

Methods that remove CO₂ from the air, like reforestation or direct air capture.

Question 47

Why are battery storage technologies important?

Answer 47

They help store renewable energy, making it more reliable and scalable.

Question 48

What role do forests play in climate change mitigation?

Answer 48

Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. ## Footnote The Amazon Rainforest absorbs about 2 billion tons of CO₂ per year, but deforestation is reducing this capacity.