Geography Flashcards

(50 cards)

1
Q

What are the natural causes of climate change?

A

Volcanic eruptions, solar output changes, and Milankovitch cycles.

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2
Q

What are Milankovitch cycles?

A

Changes in Earth’s orbit and tilt that affect solar radiation received.

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3
Q

What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?

A

Increased trapping of heat due to more greenhouse gases from human activity.

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4
Q

How does burning fossil fuels cause climate change?

A

Releases large amounts of CO₂ into the atmosphere.

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5
Q

How does agriculture contribute to climate change?

A

Cattle release methane; rice paddies also emit methane.

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6
Q

What role does deforestation play in climate change?

A

Removes carbon sinks and releases CO₂ when trees are burned or decay.

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7
Q

What greenhouse gases are most important?

A

Carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O).

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8
Q

What human activity releases nitrous oxide?

A

Fertiliser use and burning of biomass.

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9
Q

What is a carbon footprint?

A

The total amount of greenhouse gases released by an individual or product.

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10
Q

Which sectors contribute most to global emissions?

A

Energy, transport, industry, and agriculture.

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11
Q

What are ice cores and what do they show?

A

Cylinders of ice showing historical CO₂ levels and temperature patterns.

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12
Q

How do tree rings show past climate?

A

Wider rings = warmer/wetter years; thinner rings = cooler/drier.

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13
Q

How are historical records used as climate evidence?

A

Diaries, harvest dates, and paintings indicate past climate conditions.

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14
Q

What is current instrumental evidence of climate change?

A

Global temperature records, sea level data, satellite images of glaciers.

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15
Q

What trend is seen in global temperatures since 1880?

A

Overall increase — rapid warming in recent decades.

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16
Q

Name three environmental impacts of climate change.

A

Melting ice caps, rising sea levels, habitat loss.

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17
Q

Name three economic impacts of climate change.

A

Damaged crops, increased cost of disasters, loss of tourism income.

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18
Q

Name three social impacts of climate change.

A

Health risks, climate refugees, food and water shortages.

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19
Q

How does climate change affect weather patterns?

A

More extreme events: heatwaves, floods, droughts, hurricanes.

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20
Q

Which countries are most vulnerable to climate change?

A

Low-lying and poorer countries like Bangladesh and island nations.

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21
Q

What is climate migration?

A

When people are forced to move due to climate-related issues.

22
Q

What is mitigation?

A

Actions to reduce the causes of climate change.

23
Q

What is adaptation?

A

Adjusting to cope with the effects of climate change.

24
Q

Give an example of a mitigation strategy.

A

Using renewable energy like solar or wind.

25
Give an example of an adaptation strategy.
Building flood defences or drought-resistant crops.
26
What is carbon capture?
Technology to trap CO₂ from power stations and store it underground.
27
What is international cooperation on climate change?
Countries working together, e.g., Paris Agreement, COP summits.
28
What is the Paris Agreement?
A 2015 deal to limit global warming to below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C.
29
What is afforestation?
Planting new trees to absorb carbon dioxide.
30
How can individuals reduce their emissions?
Using public transport, eating less meat, saving energy.
31
What are renewable energy sources?
Sources that won't run out, e.g., solar, wind, hydro, geothermal.
32
What is sea level rise caused by?
Melting ice caps and thermal expansion of oceans.
33
How does climate change affect biodiversity?
Species lose habitats and some may become extinct.
34
What is desertification?
The spread of desert-like conditions into fertile land.
35
How does climate change affect agriculture?
Changes growing seasons, damages crops, causes water stress.
36
Why are small island nations at risk?
They are low-lying and threatened by sea level rise.
37
What is global warming?
The long-term rise in Earth’s average temperature.
38
What is the greenhouse effect?
The trapping of heat by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
39
What is fossil fuel?
Non-renewable energy sources like coal, oil, and natural gas.
40
What is climate change?
Long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, and weather patterns.
41
How does methane compare to CO₂?
Methane traps more heat but stays in the atmosphere for less time.
42
What is the role of oceans in climate change?
They absorb CO₂ and heat, but are warming and becoming more acidic.
43
How does climate change impact coral reefs?
Coral bleaching from warming oceans and acidification.
44
What is the IPCC?
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change — global climate science body.
45
What are feedback loops?
Processes that amplify (positive) or reduce (negative) climate change.
46
What is permafrost and why is it important?
Frozen ground that stores methane — releases it when it melts.
47
What is climate justice?
Fair treatment of all people in climate change policies and impacts.
48
What is sustainability?
Meeting needs without harming future generations' ability to meet theirs.
49
What is a carbon sink?
Something that absorbs more carbon than it releases, e.g., forests or oceans.
50
What is resilience?
The ability to recover from or adapt to climate impacts.