Climate Change Flashcards
(29 cards)
how much did the ocean rise in the 20th century?
20 cm
an area’s long-term atmospheric conditions
climate
conditions over a period of hours or days
weather
describes the changes in temperature, precipitation, and the frequency and intensity of storms across the world
climate change
refers specifically to an increase in the earth’s average temperature and is only one aspect of climate change
Global warming
what the 3 factors influence the the earths climate the most and why?
- ) the sun, which provides light and warmth
- ) the atmosphere, which prevents major temperature shifts from night to day
- )the oceans, which store and transport heat and moisture
what supplies most of the earth’s energy?
the sun
atmospheric gases having three or more atoms in their molecules that absorb infrared radiation given off by the Earth’s surface and re-emiting it back downward
Greenhouse gases
what are some examples of greenhouse gases?
water vapor, ozone, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and halocarbons
the re-warming of the lower atmosphere by the emitting of infrared energy by these gases
the greenhouse effect
the relative ability of a greenhouse gas molecule to contribute to warming
global warming potential
_________ transfers carbon from one reservoir(underground deposits) to another(the atmosphere)
combustion of fossil fuels
why has Nitrous Oxide in the atmosphere increase?
auto emissions, feedlots, and the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.
the Ocean hols ___ times more than the atmosphere, but is absorbing less CO2 the we are adding to the atmosphere
50
types of indirect measurements that serve as substitutes for diet measurement
proxy indicators
programs that combine what is known about atmospheric circulation, ocean circulation, ocean and atmosphere interactions and feedback cycles to stimulate climate dynamics
climate models
when was IPCC established and where?
the IPCC was established in 1988 by the United Nations
what was the IPCC created for?
to review and summarize all available data in climate studies for policymakers and the general public
the average surface temperature has risen by about 1.1 degrees Celsius in the last _____ years
100
how much has the temperature risen in the US alone in the past two decades?
more than 1 degree Fahrenheit
what region is expected to experience the most severe warming?
the polar regions
what are some effects of global warming?
the rising of sea levels and the frequency of extreme weather events
how much of the worldwide sea levels risen on average since 1900?
they have risen by 21 cm or 8 inches
the timing of seasonal events in lints and animals
phenology
