TOPIC 5: THE HUMAN IMPACT ON CLIMATE AND THE ATMOSPHERE Flashcards
(16 cards)
Trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to the enhanced greenhouse effect and global warming.
greenhouse gases
This impact is primarily driven by the emission of greenhouse gases from activities such as
Burning fossil fuels
Energy production
Transportation
Deforestation
Industrial processes
Agriculture.
occurs in the atmosphere because of the presence of certain gases that absorb infrared radiation.
greenhouse gases
- decrease in sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface due to pollutants like aerosols that reflect sunlight back into space.
● Global Dimming
- subsequent increase in surface sunlight following reductions in such pollutants.
● Global Brightening
measure of how much sunlight a surface reflects.
Albedo
creates friction and resistance to wind flow
Aerodynamic Roughness
is the combined process of water loss from the Earth’s surface through evaporation from soil and other surfaces
Evapotranspiration (ET)
- involves alterations in plant cover due to activities like deforestation and urbanization.
● Vegetation Change
- variations in the Earth’s surface reflectivity; surfaces with higher albedo reflect more sunlight, influencing temperature.
● Albedo Change
– Reflecting sunlight to reduce global temperatures.
- Solar Radiation Management (SRM)
– Removing CO₂ from the atmosphere.
- Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)
T OR F: Air pollution is now one of the biggest environmental health risks
T
The depletion of the ozone layer, primarily caused by human-made chemicals
Stratospheric Ozone Depletion
refers to large-scale technological interventions designed to counteract climate change.
Geoengineering
Mitigation Strategies THE HUMAN IMPACT ON CLIMATE AND THE ATMOSPHERE
- transitioning to renewable energy sources
- improving energy efficiency
- Reforestation
- carbon capture
- implementing policies to limit emissions
