Module 10 Has Man Changed the Climate? Flashcards
What is defined as a gradual increase in the temperature near the Earth’s surface?
Global warming
Global warming has become a significant political concern.
What are the three primary gases in the atmosphere that support life?
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Methane
- Nitrous oxide
These gases, along with oxygen, help maintain the balance of incoming and outgoing heat.
What significant climatic event occurred after Noah’s Flood?
An Ice Age
This Ice Age affected much of the globe and is understood from a biblical perspective.
What natural phenomenon can influence Earth’s climate through variations in solar radiation?
Sunspots
Sunspots appear as darker spots on the Sun’s surface and vary in number over an eleven-year solar cycle.
True or False: Sunspots directly impact Earth’s temperature.
False
Sunspots themselves do not affect temperature; however, associated solar activity can influence climate.
How do volcanic eruptions affect global temperatures?
They can cause cooling or warming
Sulfur dioxide can cool the atmosphere, while volcanic CO2 can warm it.
What significant environmental change occurred during the Industrial Revolution?
A large increase in CO2 levels in the atmosphere
This was due to the burning of coal and fossil fuels.
What is the role of ice cores in climate science?
They provide historical data on temperatures and greenhouse gas concentrations
Ice cores from Antarctica and Greenland contain dust, acids, and pollutants that cycle with seasons.
What has been the trend in atmospheric CO2 levels since 1958?
A steady increase
This increase is primarily attributed to human activities like gasoline engines and industrial manufacturing.
Fill in the blank: The significant evaporation of water from warm oceans after Noah’s Flood led to _______.
cooling of the atmosphere
This cooling contributed to the formation of snow and ice.
What is one major consequence of deforestation during the Industrial Revolution?
Increased atmospheric changes
Deforestation led to heat islands in growing cities.
What should Christians consider regarding global climate change?
The reliability and accuracy of information
Christians are encouraged to assess data critically, including climate simulations and scientific consensus.
What is one of the primary sources of carbon dioxide emissions today?
Gasoline engines and factories
These processes produce CO2 as a waste product.
What is the impact of volcanic aerosols on climate?
They increase the reflection of solar radiation
This effect cools the Earth’s lower atmosphere.
What major climatic period followed a warm phase around a thousand years ago?
The Little Ice Age
This cooling phase occurred about four hundred years ago.
What factors are debated in relation to climate change?
Human-caused vs. natural causes
The debate encompasses whether current temperature increases are primarily due to human activity.
What role does solar wind play in Earth’s climate?
It affects cosmic rays entering the atmosphere
This can influence cloud formation and climate.
