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What are the steps of the Greenhouse Effect?
1. Solar radiation enters Earth's atmosphere. 2. Some radiation is reflected back into space. 3. Some is absorbed by the Earth's surface, warming it. 4. Earth emits infrared radiation. 5. GHGs absorb some infrared radiation, trapping heat and warming the atmosphere.
What are the steps of ocean acidification?
1. Atmospheric CO2 increases. 2. Oceans absorb CO2. 3. CO2 reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid. 4. Carbonic acid dissociates, increasing hydrogen ion concentration and lowering pH.
What are the steps of thermal expansion?
1. Ocean temperature increases due to global warming. 2. Water molecules move faster and take up more space. 3. Ocean volume increases, contributing to sea-level rise.
Describe the process of melting glaciers and ice sheets.
1. Global temperatures rise. 2. Ice melts at an accelerated rate. 3. Meltwater flows into the ocean. 4. Ocean volume increases, contributing to sea-level rise.
Describe the process of disease vector range expansion.
1. Global temperatures rise. 2. Suitable habitats for vectors expand. 3. Vectors migrate to new areas. 4. Disease transmission increases in newly colonized areas.
What are the steps of fossil fuel combustion?
1. Fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) are extracted. 2. Fuels are burned for energy. 3. Carbon combines with oxygen. 4. CO2 is released into the atmosphere.
What are the steps of the water cycle?
1. Evaporation: Water turns into vapor. 2. Condensation: Water vapor forms clouds. 3. Precipitation: Water falls back to Earth as rain, snow, etc. 4. Collection: Water gathers in bodies of water.
What are the steps of cellular respiration?
1. Glucose is broken down. 2. Oxygen is consumed. 3. Energy is released. 4. Carbon dioxide and water are produced.
Describe the process of deforestation leading to increased CO2.
1. Trees are cut down. 2. Trees no longer absorb CO2. 3. Stored carbon in trees is released through decomposition or burning. 4. Atmospheric CO2 increases.
Describe the process of methane production in landfills.
1. Organic waste is deposited in landfills. 2. Anaerobic bacteria decompose the waste. 3. Methane is produced as a byproduct. 4. Methane is released into the atmosphere.
Define Climate.
Long-term (30+ years) weather patterns, including temperature and precipitation averages.
Define Weather.
Short-term atmospheric conditions.
Define Greenhouse Effect.
A natural process where gases in the troposphere trap thermal energy, keeping Earth warm enough to support life.
Define Greenhouse Gases (GHGs).
Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.
Define Ocean Acidification.
The process where increased CO2 in the atmosphere is absorbed by oceans, forming carbonic acid and lowering ocean pH.
What is a disease vector?
An organism that transmits diseases (e.g., mosquitoes, ticks).
What is thermal expansion?
The increase in volume of a substance (like water) due to an increase in its temperature.
Define IPCC.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: A group of scientists assessing climate change science, impacts, and risks.
Define deforestation.
The clearing of forests for other land uses.
Define cellular respiration.
The process by which cells break down glucose to release energy, producing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts.
What is the significance of the Greenhouse Effect?
It's a natural process that keeps Earth warm enough to support life, but increased GHGs enhance the effect, causing warming.
Why is CO2 a major concern?
It's a major contributor to the greenhouse effect, primarily from fossil fuel combustion and deforestation.
Why is methane a potent GHG?
It traps more heat than CO2 over a shorter timeframe, contributing significantly to global warming.
What is the role of IPCC?
It assesses climate change science and provides data-driven reports for policymakers.
Why is rising sea level a concern?
It leads to coastal flooding, erosion, and habitat loss, impacting coastal communities and ecosystems.
Why is ocean acidification harmful?
It impacts marine organisms with shells and skeletons, disrupting marine ecosystems.
Why is loss of biodiversity a concern?
Species are displaced, face extinction, and ecosystems are disrupted.
Explain the concept of climate feedback.
A process where an initial change in climate triggers further changes, amplifying or reducing the initial effect (e.g., increased water vapor with warming).
Explain how deforestation contributes to climate change.
Trees absorb CO2. Deforestation reduces CO2 uptake and releases stored carbon, increasing atmospheric CO2 levels.
Explain why climate change is a long-term trend.
Climate change is about shifts in long-term averages, not just day-to-day weather.