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Sophomore Year > Climate Change Exam 2 > Flashcards

Climate Change Exam 2 Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the natural causes of climate change?

A

Continental drift, solar variability, Earth’s orbital changes, internal variability.

Each of these factors influences Earth’s climate over varying timescales.

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2
Q

How does continental drift affect climate?

A

Changes ocean currents, atmospheric circulation, and ice sheet formation.

Supercontinents like Pangaea created extreme climate conditions.

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3
Q

What is solar variability?

A

changes in the Sun’s energy output over time

The Grand Solar Minimum refers to historical cooling periods.

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4
Q

What are Milankovitch cycles?

A

periodic changes in Earth’s orbit and axial tilt that influence the planet’s climate over long periods

Eccentricity, obliquity, and precession affecting solar energy received by Earth. These cycles operate over tens of thousands of years.

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5
Q

What is the greenhouse effect?

A

Greenhouse gases trap outgoing infrared radiation, warming the planet.

Major GHGs include CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, and fluorinated gases.

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6
Q

What evidence supports human influence on climate change?

A

Rising atmospheric CO₂, ice core records, stratospheric cooling, climate models.

The Keeling Curve shows rising CO₂ levels.

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7
Q

What is the difference between weather and climate?

A

Weather: short-term atmospheric conditions; Climate: long-term trends in weather patterns.

Analogy: Predicting a coin flip vs. predicting heads over many flips.

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8
Q

What are climate forcings?

A

External drivers of climate change, such as GHGs, solar changes, and volcanoes.

Forcings initiate changes in the climate system.

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9
Q

What are positive feedbacks in climate change?

A

Processes that amplify changes, such as the ice-albedo effect and water vapor feedback.

These feedbacks can lead to accelerated warming.

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10
Q

What is the IPAT equation?

A

I = Population × Affluence × Technology.

It predicts future emissions based on these three factors.

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11
Q

What are Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs)?

A

Scenarios based on radiative forcing by 2100, indicating potential warming levels.

RCP 8.5 is the worst-case scenario with +4-5°C warming.

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12
Q

What is the impact of global warming on temperature changes?

A

Land warms faster than oceans; Arctic warms faster than tropics.

This results in less temperature contrast between day/night and seasons.

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13
Q

How does climate change affect precipitation?

A

More extreme rainfall events and shifts of precipitation to higher latitudes.

Reduced snowpack threatens water supplies in many regions.

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14
Q

What causes sea level rise?

A

Thermal expansion of water and glacial melting.

Projections by 2100 range from +11-22 inches to up to 2 meters in extreme cases.

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15
Q

What is ocean acidification?

A

CO₂ dissolves in seawater, forming carbonic acid and reducing carbonate ions.

This makes it harder for marine organisms to form shells.

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16
Q

What types of extreme weather events are increasing due to climate change?

A

Heatwaves, stronger hurricanes, and more frequent wildfires.

These events are linked to hotter, drier conditions.

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17
Q

What is the risk of biodiversity loss due to climate change?

A

Mass extinction risk as many species cannot adapt fast enough.

Coral reefs are disappearing due to warming and acidification.

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18
Q

What societal impacts are linked to climate change?

A

Food insecurity, water shortages, climate refugees, national security risks.

These impacts arise from changing environmental conditions.

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19
Q

What is a tipping point in climate change?

A

a critical threshold that, when crossed, leads to large, accelerating and often irreversible changes in the climate system

These can lead to accelerated climate changes even after emissions stop.

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20
Q

What is one significant factor contributing to climate change?

A

Continental drift

Continental drift refers to the movement of the Earth’s continents relative to each other.

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21
Q

What natural process is responsible for the warming of the Earth?

A

The Sun

The Sun’s output has increased by about 30% over its lifetime, contributing to climate changes.

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22
Q

What is the sunspot cycle and its effect on climate?

A

11 years, 0.1% variation (1 W/m²)

The sunspot cycle represents periodic changes in solar radiation.

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23
Q

How does Earth’s orbit affect climate?

A

Changes every 100K years

Variations in orbit shape can alter seasonal lengths and climate.

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24
Q

What is the current tilt of the Earth doing to the seasons?

A

Getting less tilted: milder seasons

A decrease in tilt leads to cooler summers and less melting snow.

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25
What are Milankovitch cycles?
Cycles that correspond to major climate changes over 450,000 years ## Footnote These cycles involve changes in Earth's orbit, tilt, and wobble, affecting climate.
26
What is unforced variability in climate science?
Not caused by external forcing ## Footnote Examples include natural cycles like El Niño and La Niña that impact global temperatures.
27
What recent event caused a significant methane leak?
Nord Stream Pipeline ## Footnote In September 2022, it leaked 478,000 tons of methane over 7 days.
28
What was the global temperature increase during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum?
Around 5° C ## Footnote This increase occurred over a few thousand years and had significant climatic impacts.
29
What does the IPCC state about human influence on climate?
It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land ## Footnote The IPCC's 2021 statement emphasizes the significant role of humans in recent climate changes.
30
What is the evidence supporting greenhouse gas properties?
Correlations in past climates and reproducible climate behavior with models ## Footnote Laboratory evidence supports the understanding of greenhouse gases' impact on climate.
31
What does increased carbon dioxide do to the stratosphere?
Cools the stratosphere ## Footnote Observations show a colder stratosphere since 1980, linked to rising CO2 levels.
32
What is the anticipated additional global average warming by the end of the century under business-as-usual scenarios?
2.5 - 7°F ## Footnote This projection is based on current emissions trends relative to a 1986-2005 baseline.
33
Fill in the blank: It is extremely likely that humans are responsible for more than _____ of the global warming between 1951 and 2012.
half ## Footnote This conclusion is supported by extensive climate research.
34
What is a significant difference between past climate changes and current trends?
Human activities are increasing greenhouse gas concentrations ## Footnote Unlike natural cycles, current climate changes are heavily influenced by anthropogenic factors.
35
What is the role of thermal inertia in climate change?
Short-term brightening effects ## Footnote Thermal inertia refers to the delay in temperature response due to heat capacity.
36
True or False: The Earth is currently in an interglacial period.
True ## Footnote This indicates a milder climate phase between Ice Ages.
37
What is one potential source of evidence for climate change?
Temperature records, ocean acidification, sea level rise ## Footnote These factors provide critical data for understanding climate shifts.
38
Why is rapid warming significant?
Today’s changes are happening in decades, unlike past warming events that took thousands of years. ## Footnote Rapid warming poses severe risks to ecosystems and human societies.
39
How does warming differ across the planet?
Continents warm more than oceans, high latitudes warm more than tropics, and seasonal contrasts are shrinking. ## Footnote This uneven warming can lead to various environmental and climatic consequences.
40
What are the effects of climate change beyond temperature?
Climate change affects precipitation, sea levels, and ocean chemistry. ## Footnote These changes can have profound impacts on ecosystems and human life.
41
What is the global trend for precipitation?
There is a global increase in precipitation, but with shifting patterns. ## Footnote This can impact water storage and availability.
42
What are the projected sea level rise estimates by 2100 under low emissions?
11-22 inches. ## Footnote This is compared to higher emissions scenarios predicting 25-40 inches.
43
What are the potential consequences of sea level rise?
Some areas will flood faster, and saltwater intrusion threatens freshwater supplies. ## Footnote Coastal flooding records show a dramatic increase.
44
What causes ocean acidification?
Carbon dioxide absorption lowers pH, impacting marine life, especially shell-forming organisms. ## Footnote Ocean acidification poses threats to marine biodiversity.
45
How much ice does Antarctica hold that could raise sea levels?
Antarctica holds enough ice to raise sea levels by 58 meters. ## Footnote This significant ice mass is crucial in understanding sea level rise.
46
What is the current status of Greenland's ice contribution to sea level rise?
Greenland is currently the largest contributor to sea-level rise, with melting accelerating and becoming irreversible in some cases. ## Footnote This highlights the urgency of addressing climate change.
47
What are the consequences of decreasing sea ice in the Arctic and Antarctic?
Leads to warmer oceans and disrupts ecosystems. ## Footnote This has cascading effects on global weather patterns and marine life.
48
What types of extreme weather events are becoming more frequent?
More heatwaves, stronger storms, and unpredictable precipitation. ## Footnote This includes heavier downpours leading to floods and droughts.
49
What is happening to hurricane intensification?
Rapid intensification of hurricanes is becoming more common. ## Footnote This trend poses greater risks to coastal communities.
50
What is the current status of extinction rates due to climate change?
Extinction rates are 100-1000x higher than natural background rates, indicating a 6th Mass Extinction is underway. ## Footnote This loss of biodiversity is critical for ecosystem health.
51
What are the economic impacts of climate change?
Insurance costs are rising, with a 50% increase in insured losses over the past decade. ## Footnote Increased financial losses are tied to more frequent and costly weather disasters.
52
How does climate change threaten national security?
Droughts, fires, and flooding disrupt military operations and increase migration due to climate impacts. ## Footnote These factors can lead to geopolitical instability.
53
What are some irreversible impacts of climate change?
Ice sheet collapse and biodiversity loss cannot be undone even if we reverse emissions. ## Footnote Understanding these irreversible impacts stresses the need for immediate action.
54
Fill in the blank: Climate change leads to ________ in precipitation patterns.
shifting patterns. ## Footnote These changes can significantly impact water resources.
55
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather is short-term and difficult to predict precisely, while climate is based on long-term statistical trends. ## Footnote An analogy is predicting a single coin flip versus long-term trends like knowing January is colder than August.
56
What determines Earth's temperature?
The planet's temperature depends on energy coming in vs. energy going out. ## Footnote Key influences include forcings (greenhouse gases, aerosols) and feedbacks (ice-albedo effect, water vapor).
57
What does the IPAT equation stand for?
Impact (I) = Population (P) × Affluence (A) × Technology (T) ## Footnote This equation helps predict greenhouse gas emissions.
58
How does population growth affect greenhouse gas emissions?
More people = more emissions. ## Footnote Population growth is one of the factors in the IPAT equation.
59
What is the relationship between affluence and CO2 emissions?
Wealthier populations tend to emit more CO2. ## Footnote Affluence is one of the components of the IPAT equation.
60
What are Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs)?
Different levels of radiative forcing by 2100. ## Footnote Examples include RCP 8.5 (worst case) and RCP 2.6 (best case).
61
What is SSP1 in Shared Socioeconomic Pathways?
Sustainability: Shift toward green energy, equal development. ## Footnote This scenario focuses on sustainability and equitable development.
62
What does SSP3 represent?
Regional Rivalry: Nationalism, slow tech growth, high inequality. ## Footnote This scenario depicts a world with significant regional conflicts and inequalities.
63
What is a potential impact of CO2 reductions?
CO2 reductions take time to affect climate. ## Footnote Ocean heat absorption delays temperature stabilization.
64
What causes sea level rise?
Rising due to ice melt in Antarctica & Greenland. ## Footnote Predictions vary based on emission scenarios.
65
What factors introduce uncertainties in climate predictions?
Annual variations, volcanic eruptions, El Niño events. ## Footnote These factors can impact climate models.
66
How long does it take for CO2 to be fully removed from the atmosphere?
Full removal takes over 100,000 years. ## Footnote 75% of CO2 is removed in hundreds of years.
67
What is the temperature stabilization timeframe?
Almost no decline for 1,000 years. ## Footnote Ice sheet feedbacks can counteract cooling.
68
What are some policy actions that can be taken to address climate change?
Investing in renewables, carbon capture, and emission regulations. ## Footnote These actions aim to mitigate climate change effects.
69
What individual actions can help combat climate change?
Reducing consumption, supporting sustainable initiatives. ## Footnote Individual efforts are crucial alongside policy and technological innovations.
70
Fill in the blank: The planet's temperature depends on _______.
energy coming in vs. energy going out.

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